Hartford
Seminary Faculty in the News
Professor Yehezkel Landau
Receives Special Award
Yehezkel Laundau, Faculty Associate in Interfaith Relations at Hartford Seminary, has been named a recipient of the 2009 Living Spirit Award by The Spiritual Life Center of Bloomfield, CT.
Prof. Landau is receiving the award for his outstanding contributions to the community, especially as director of the Seminary’s Building Abrahamic Partnerships Program and co-founder of the Open House Center for Jewish-Arab Co-Existence in Israel. Full Story>>
Ingrid Mattson Participates in National Prayer Service at Inauguration
Hartford Seminary Professor Ingrid Mattson offered one of the prayers at the National Prayer Service on Wednesday January 21st. The National Prayer Service was held at the National Cathedral at the conclusion of the inaugural activities. Mattson is Director of the Seminary's Macdonald Center for the Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations and leads the Seminary's Islamic Chaplaincy Program. Full Story>>
President Hadsell Participates in Symposium
on “Religion and Peaceful Co-Existence” in Iran
Equal participation and shared responsibility in society are at the basis of a peaceful co-existence between Christians and Muslims, stated participants at an interreligious symposium in Tehran, Iran in December.
They highlighted the value of learning from each other's faith and criticized "irresponsible media."
The December 13-14, 2008 symposium on "Religion and Peaceful Co-Existence" was jointly convened by the Tehran-based Centre for Inter-religious Dialogue of the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization and the World Council of Churches (WCC). Full Story>>
Mattson Participates In Vatican Conference
Ingrid Mattson, Professor of Islamic Studies and Director of the Macdonald Center for the Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations, recently participated in an historic meeting of Catholic and Muslim leaders at the Vatican.
The meeting, held in November, worked to reduce suspicion between the two faiths and enhance cooperation. It ended with a joint declaration calling for an end to violence in the name of religion, respect for both faiths and a commitment to help solve international crises together. Full Story >>>
Mattson Participates in Major U.S.-Muslim Initiative
WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 24, 2008) -- The Leadership Group on U.S. Muslim Engagement today issued a major new report on United States relations with the Muslim World.
The report is the culmination of 18 months of work by a group of 34 distinguished American leaders, including Dr. Ingrid Mattson, Professor of Islamic Studies, Director of Islamic Chaplaincy, and Director of the Duncan Black Macdonald Center for the Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations at Hartford Seminary.
Mattson, who also is president of the Islamic Society of North America, said of the initiative:
“It is a sign of great hope that the Leadership Group, despite having substantial differences over policies and politics, was able to come together to develop this report. This was made possible by a shared belief that the vital interests of the American people need not, and must not, conflict with core American values affirming the dignity of all people and their right to freedom and self-determination. This is a message that the mainstream majority in the Muslim world will surely welcome, and it will help them in their desire to improve relations between their people and the United States.” Full Story >>>
Mattson Named Director of Macdonald Center at Hartford Seminary
For Immediate Release
(HARTFORD –June 5, 2008) Dr. Ingrid Mattson, Professor of Islamic 
Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations, will become director of Hartford Seminary’s Duncan Black Macdonald Center for the Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations, effective July 1.
President Heidi Hadsell announced the appointment. Mattson has been on the Seminary faculty since 1998. Full Story >>>
Professor Yahya Michot Named Director of International Ph.D. Program
Dr. Yahya Michot has been named Director of Hartford Seminary's International Ph.D. program, when he starts September 1. Dr. Michot will work with Heidi Gehman, associate director of the program. Dr. Michot also will be editor of The Muslim World journal and will teach Introduction to Islamic Theology in the fall semester. Full Story>>>
Agosto Named Academic Dean of Hartford Seminary
For Immediate Release
(HARTFORD – March 18, 2008) -- Heidi Hadsell, President of Hartford Seminary, has named Efrain Agosto, Professor of New Testament and noted Pauline scholar, as academic dean of the Seminary.
The appointment was ratified by the Board of Trustees at a meeting on March 17.
“We are very pleased that Efrain has assumed this new position at Hartford Seminary,” Hadsell said. “Efrain is creative, he loves Hartford Seminary, he understands the issues of theological education, and he enjoys the collaborative atmosphere at the Seminary. Full Story >>>
Yehezkel Landau
In June, 2008, Yehezkel Landau taught Building Abrahamic Partnerships and an advanced Building Abrahamic Partnerships II course. Thirty-two students were in BAP I, 20 in BAP II.
Hartford Seminary, building on its strengths as an interfaith, dialogical school of practical theology, has designed BAP to be a resource for Jews, Christians, and Muslims who seek a solid foundation in interfaith ministry.
Meanwhile, efforts are continuing to offer BAP orientation seminars at other seminaries, with the aim of offering one-day orientation seminars on our program -- its goals, challenges, methodologies, and results. The idea is to have an Abrahamic trio from the BAP teaching staff travel to a seminary, or a consortium of seminaries in a metropolitan area, to present the BAP model at a morning session, and then after a lunch break have a give-and-take based on the reactions of the teachers and administrators in attendance, exploring ways in which BAP could be replicated or adapted at their own institutions.
The BAP I course is partially subsidized by a grant from the Henry Luce Foundation. The BAP II course is partially subsidized by a grant from the Alan B. Slifka Foundation.
Uriah Kim 
Uriah Kim traveled to South Korea in May, 2008, to offer lectures at Yonsei University’s College of Theology in Seoul. Founded 125 years ago, Yonsei is the oldest and one of the most prestigious universities in South Korea.
Kim lectured on “Three David’s for Our Own Time” before an audience of 170 and “Uriah the Hittie” before an audience of 50. He also delivered two sermons at the chapel service at the university: “For Nothing” and “Will God Stand By You?”
Kim spent nine days in South Korea. It was his first time back in 32 years; he had left the country as a fourth grader.
As Israel Turns 60, American-Born Jew Hopes for Peace
Hartford Courant
May 11, 2008
In this article, The Hartford Courant profiles
Yehezkel Landau, faculty associate for interfaith relations. Yehezkel speaks of his conviction that only a major change in direction will ensure a peaceful future for Israel. The article describes Yehezkel's personal activism as a peacemaker and his work to prepare others to be peacemakers.
Muslim Philanthropists Meet
The World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists
March 22-24, 2008
Heidi Hadsell, Hartford Seminary President, and Bud Heckman, Chief Development Officer, recently attended the first World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists in Istanbul, Turkey. The photos depict some of the activities, including commentary by Hadsell and a panel on which Heckman participated.
Ayoub Appointed as Faculty Associate At Hartford Seminary
For Immediate Release
HARTFORD (March 7, 2008) – Mahmoud Ayoub, a pre-eminent scholar in Islam and interfaith dialogue in the United States and around the world, has been named Faculty Associate in Shi‘ite Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations at Hartford Seminary, starting July 1.
Dr. Ayoub comes to Hartford Seminary from Temple University in Philadelphia where he was a professor and Director of Islamic Studies in the Department of Religion. Heidi Hadsell, President of Hartford Seminary, announced the appointment. Full Story >>>
Faith Council remembers common goal
Huntsville Times
February 22, 2008
Keynote speaker Yehezkel Landau, a professor of interfaith relations at Hartford Seminary in Connecticut, applied the wisdom of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to Alabama's current problems. Some 250 faith leaders of Alabama, including a group of 25 from Huntsville, attended the forum meant to harness faith communities' energy to solve real-life problems.
Hartford Seminary President To Visit Iran
HARTFORD, CT (November 13, 2007) -- Hartford Seminary President Heidi Hadsell will spend four days in Tehran, Iran this month, participating in a dialogue on the role of women in “Moving Peace Through Religion.”
The World Council of Churches and the Institute for Interreligious Dialogue in Tehran are sponsoring the conference, which will engage Christian and Muslim women in dialogue. The conference runs from November 25 through November 28.
The World Council said that one aim of the dialogue, which will be a three-year process, is to publish material on a just society of women and men, and on the treatment of women in the world of religion. The participants' diverse backgrounds as teachers, clergy, artists, academics or NGO-activists will ensure a hands-on approach to these issues. Read full press release
Hammers for Peace
Hartford Courant
October 8, 2007
This article discusses the construction of a House of Abraham by volunteers with Hartford Habitat for Humanity. The volunteers include students and faculty at Hartford Seminary and a trustee. The project includes an educational component, coordinated by Abdullah Antepli, Islamic chaplaincy coordinator for Hartford Seminary; Yehezkel Landau, faculty associate at the seminary, and Donna Manocchio, associate pastor at Rocky Hill Congregational Church. Twice a year, the three team-teach a Hartford Seminary course, "Building Abrahamic Partnerships."
Stereotype Smackdown: Dispelling the Myths of Megachurches
Washington Post
August 4, 2007
In this article, Scott Thumma, Professor of Sociology of Religion at Hartford Seminary, discusses his new book, "Beyond Megachurch Myths: What We Can Learn from America's Largest Churches." He shares some of his findings about his research into the 1,250 Protestant churches across the country that attract at least 2,000 worshipers each weekend.
Agosto Named Interim Dean of Hartford Seminary
Dr. Heidi Hadsell, President of Hartford Seminary, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Efrain Agosto, Professor of New Testament, as interim dean of the Seminary, effective August 1
At the 2007 conference of the American Academy of Religion and Society of Biblical Literature in San Diego, one session focused on the work of Uriah Kim, Professor of Hebrew Bible. It is unusual for an entire session to focus on a single scholar's work. The 90-minute program was titled "Asian and Asian-American Hermeneutics." The theme was "Panel Review of Uriah Kim's Decolonizing Josiah: Toward a Postcolonial Reading of the Deuteronomisitc History (Sheffield Phoenix, 2006)." Panelists were: Lai Ling E. Ngan, Baylor University, Presiding; Gina Hens-Piazza, Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley; Frank Yamada, Seabury-Western Theological Seminary; Niels Lemche, University of Copenhagen; and Jane Iwamura, University of Southern California. Dr. Kim was the respondent.
Scott Thumma and Dave Travis have just published a new book! Beyond Megachurch Myth: What We Can Learn from America's Largest Churches, explores the megachurch phenomena and the common misconceptions that follow them. On sale now at our book store!
Ingrid Mattson Professor of Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations, as well as Director of the Islamic Chaplaincy Program, President, Islamic Society of North America was featured "On Faith". On Faith is an interactive conversation on religion moderated by Newsweek Editor Jon Meacham and Sally Quinn of The Washington Post. It is produced jointly by Newsweek and washingtonpost.com, as is PostGlobal, a conversation on international affairs.
Dr. Mattson was also featured in the January 1, 2007 Issue of Newsweek. The article discribes Ingrid's journey to becoming an ambassador for Islam in the West, preaching tolerance and understanding.
Social
Conflicts Challenge the Resilience of America’s Historic Denominations
Hartford Seminary Professors David
A. Roozen and James
R. Nieman are editors of the just released Church,
Identity, and Change: Theology and Denominational Structures in
Unsettled Times. The
book is an essential resource for those interested in the struggle of
the church in 21st century America.
Faculty Member
Edits Book on Gay Religion
Conflicts
over homosexuality and gay rights threaten to break apart
denominations. These heated theological and political debates have
obscured the fact that many gays are religiously active individuals.
Now
Scott Thumma, Professor of Sociology of Religion at Hartford Seminary,
has joined with Edward R. Gray, Visiting Assistant Professor of
Religion at Emory University, to edit a new book, “Gay
Religion,”
that is the first book to offer a straightforward presentation of the
spiritual lives, practices and expressions of gays, lesbians,
bisexuals and transgender individuals.
Faculty Members
Attend Major Nursi Symposium
Hartford
Seminary faculty and students were well represented at the 7th
International Bediuzzaman Symposium in Istanbul in October, which
focused on the work of Bediuzzaman Said Nursi.
Jane
I. Smith, Professor of Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations,
delivered one of two keynotes addresses on the opening day. Her talk
was titled “At the Heart of the Matter: Faith and Belief in the
Poetic Imagery of Said Nursi.”
Delivering
inaugural remarks at the opening session were Hadsell; Yehezkel
Landau, Faculty Associate in Interfaith Relations; and Colleen Keyes,
a Ph.D. student.
Serving
as chairs of conference sessions or delivering papers at the sessions
were: Ibrahim Abu-Rabi’, Professor of Islamic Studies and
Christian-Muslim Relations; Ian Markham, Dean of Hartford Seminary;
Hadsell, Keyes, Smith and Landau. Abu-Rabi’ chaired the closing
session.
The conference was
titled “Bringing Faith, Meaning and Peace to Life in a Multicultural
World: The Risale-I-Nur’s Approach.” The sponsor was the Istanbul
Foundation for Science and Culture. It was held from October 3 through
October 5.
Lively
Dialogue: Faculty Launch New Journal
Two faculty members at Hartford Seminary have begun a new journal, Conversations
in Religion and Theology, to shape the discourse in the fields
of theology and ethics.
Miriam Therese Winter Inducted into the Connecticut Women's Hall of
Fame
Miriam
Therese Winter, a Medical Mission Sister and Professor of Liturgy,
Worship, Spirituality and Feminist Studies at Hartford Seminary, was
inducted into the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame in a ceremony
on April 11th 2003.
2009-2010 Faculty Sabbatical Schedule
The following
faculty members will be on sabbatical:
| Spring 2009 |
Fall 2009 |
|
| Uriah Kim |
Ingrid Mattson
James Neiman
|
|
