Scholars from four faith traditions to speak on vocation in panel discussion

Kathleen Cahalan, Professor of Practical Theology, Serves as Panel Moderator

Scholars from the Christian, Jewish, Hindu and Buddhist traditions will address the issue of vocation in the panel program "Calling in Today's World: Multifaith Perspectives" at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, in room 264 of the Quadrangle Building at Saint John's University.  

The program, sponsored by the Collegeville Institute, the Jay Phillips Center for Interfaith Learning and the Saint John's School of Theology and Seminary, is free and open to the public. 

The panelists in this program - Kathleen Cahalan, Amy Eilberg, Anantanand Rambachan and Mark Unno - contributed chapters to the recently published book "Calling in Today's World: Voices from Eight Faith Perspectives" (Eerdmans, 2016), co-edited by Cahalan and Douglas J. Schuurman.   

"As the United States becomes more religiously diverse, members of faith communities meet every day in college classes, work places, neighborhoods, volunteer organizations, and efforts for social change," said Cahalan, professor of theology at Saint John's University School of Theology and Seminary and director of the Collegeville Institute Seminars. 

"If people of faith want to live and work together for the common good, understanding each other's values and beliefs is imperative," Cahalan continued. "Learning how others experience a sense of calling and live with meaning and purpose can enliven and deepen connections across communities." 

Cahalan, who will serve as the panel's moderator, is the co-editor of "Opening the Field of Practical Theology" (Rowman and Littlefield, 2014) and co-author of "Christian Practical Wisdom" (Eerdmans, 2016). 

Eilberg, the first woman ordained a rabbi in Judaism's Conservative Movement, is director of Pardes Rodef Shalom (Pursuer of Peace) Communities Program. Deeply involved in the work of peace and reconciliation, she is the author of "From Enemy to Friend: Jewish Wisdom and the Pursuit of Peace" (Orbis Books, 2014). 

Rambachan is a professor of religion, philosophy and Asian studies at St. Olaf College, specializing in the Hindu tradition and interreligious dialogue. A prolific author, his most recent book is "A Hindu Theology of Liberation" (SUNY, 2015). 

Unno, a Buddhist priest, is associate professor and religious studies adviser in the department of philosophy at the University of Oregon. He is author of "Shingon Refractions: Myōe and the Mantra of Light" (Wisdom Publications, 2004) and editor of "Buddhism and Psychotherapy Across Cultures: Essays on Theories and Practices" (Wisdom Publications, 2006).