Pluralism Week 2019
Finding our Queer Jewish Ancestors
Engage in a fun Havruta-style text study, a traditional rabbinic approach to learning, with primary sources including selected queer Jewish texts from the first century up to 1969. Everyone is welcome; No previous knowledge or experience necessary!
Noam Sienna is a doctoral candidate in Jewish History at the University of Minnesota, Jewish educator and the author of the new book, “A Rainbow Thread: Queer Jewish Texts from the First Century to 1969.”
Thursday, March 14, 2019 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Faith and Spirituality Centre (MB 122)
JeoPARTY: Inclusive Event Planning
What is “How do I make my events more inclusive for people from various religious and cultural identities?”
Participants in this workshop will play an educational jeopardy-style game and together we will explore common inclusive event planning mistakes (scheduling, food choices, time and space, and dress and physical contact between genders) and learn how to make our future events fun for everyone!
Friday, March 15, 2019 10 - 11:30 a.m. Vitruvian Space (DC 12)Intercultural Conflict Styles
Whenever misunderstanding, misperception or hostility occurs, how we communicate our disagreements and frustrations can escalate tensions and make conflict resolution more difficult. The Intercultural Conflict Style Inventory provides insight into culturally patterned approaches for solving problems and resolving conflict situations.
As part of this workshop, participants will have an opportunity to learn their own conflict style and gain insight into improving communication across the various conflict styles in everyday interactions (with students, co-workers, etc.)
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Cancelled
The Loft (MSC 487)
Barnga
Barnga is a game where participants experience the shock of realizing that despite many similarities, people of differing cultures perceive things differently or play by different rules.
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
5 -7 p.m.
Faith and Spirituality Centre (MB 122)
Taste of Tuesday
Join us for a cultural cooking class. Help prepare the meal, then eat and share together different cultural experiences. For this edition of Taste of Tuesday we will be making traditional Ukrainian pierogis! Learn how to make pierogis and eat them too!
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
The Loft (MSC 487)
Traditional Hindu Yoga
Join the Faith and Spirituality Centre's Hindu Chaplaincy and registered yoga instructor, Vivek Mehta for traditional Hindu Yoga in the Loft. We will spend some time learning about Hindu yoga practice and then have a chance to take part in it as well. Yoga mats are provided and drop-ins are welcome!
Thursday, March 14, 2019
2 - 3 p.m.
Faith and Spirituality Centre (MB 122)
“Light to the World” Film Screening
A 55-minute film that tells the story of the Baha’i Faith. It began 155 years ago, and has rapidly expanded around the world. The Baha’i Faith is recognized by the United Nations as an independent world religion with followers in all nations and cultures. This event is hosted by Sandra Brask, Baha'i Representative at the Faith and Spirituality Centre. Snacks will be provided! Open to all.
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
1 – 2 p.m.
Women’s Resource Centre (MSC 482)
Queering Religion
Buzzwords like 'inclusivity' and 'diversity' abound, yet the tangible actions behind them often go unexplored. Religion at large has imposed artificial binaries that have fractured our sense of kinship and belonging, especially for LGBTQ2S+ people and other communities who have been considered antithetical to genuine faith. Pam Rocker will create space to explore the intersections of faith and queerness through reflection, conversation and celebration of the sacred connections between us all. A talk will be followed by an engaging discussion.
Pam Rocker is an atypical activist, award-winning writer, spoken word poet, musician and speaker. She has worked in the intersections of faith and queer identity for almost a decade. Recently, she was chosen as one of Calgary's Top 40 Under 40.
This event is a part of the Pluralism and Religious Diversity Week. Light refreshments will be provided. Free and open for everyone.
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
Noon – 1 p.m.
Faith and Spirituality Centre (MB 122)
Scriptural Reasoning: An Interfaith Dialogue Experience
Scriptural Reasoning (SR) is a tool for inter-faith dialogue whereby people of different faiths come together to read and reflect on their scriptures. Unlike some forms of inter-faith engagement, it is not about seeking agreement but rather exploring the texts and their possible interpretations across faith boundaries, and learning to ‘disagree better’. The result is often a deeper understanding of others' and one’s own scriptures, as well as the development of strong bonds across faith communities. SR is now practised globally, including in places affected by religion-related tensions and conflict.
Monday, March 11, 2019
Noon – 1 p.m.
Women’s Resource Centre (MSC 482)
Women Leader Speaker Series: Harjot Kaur Singh
Dr. Harjot Kaur Singh is a dynamic and knowledgeable speaker and lecturer to interfaith groups and a distinguished representative of the Calgary Sikh community. Apart from her numerous leadership roles in the Sikh Community - such as the Chair of the Sikh Advisory Committee of the University of Calgary Faith and Spirituality Centre or being on a Board of Director of Sikhnet and Siri Singh Sahib Corporation, she has also been an integral part of Calgary Women in Spirituality. Dr. Singh holds a Bachelor of Science in Cellular, Molecular, and Microbial Biology and a Medical Degree from the University of Calgary. She has been in private practice since 1992 as a family physician. Dr. Singh Currently serves as the Chair of the Alberta Health Services Spiritual Care Advisory Committee as well as being the Chair for the Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network.
The "Women Leaders Speaker Series" presents local women leaders who will share the challenges they have faced in their careers, how they overcame them and how they defined their own paths.
Light refreshments will be provided. Free and open for everyone.
Friday, March 15, 2019
4:30 p.m.
Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning Forum
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Ingrid Mattson
‘Have You Ever Heard a More Eloquent Woman?’ Stories of Muslim Matriarchs from the Islamic Tradition
Join us for a journey into the telling of the story of Hajar, a woman represented in biblical and Islamic texts. We’ll investigate how Hajar’s story changes based on who tells the story.
Ingrid Mattson, London and Windsor Community Chair in Islamic Studies, and interfaith advocate is the keynote speaker for Pluralism and Religious Diversity Week.
Light refreshments will be provided. Free and open for everyone.