Interfaith Summit Aims for Common Ground

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. –– Illinois Wesleyan University’s 2019 Interfaith Summit, titled “Common Ground: An IWU Interfaith Summit,” will feature humanist and interfaith activist Chris Stedman as keynote speaker and workshop leader for the second-annual event.

The summit will take place Friday, March 29 from 7 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. in the Hansen Student Center and Saturday, March 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Memorial Center. The event is free and open to the public, but participants must register ahead of time. To register, please visit www.iwu.edu/chaplain.

Stedman is a humanist community organizer and writer based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. “Humanism” as a belief system attaches prime importance to humanity, emphasizing common human needs and seeking solely rational ways of solving problems.

The author of Faitheist: How an Atheist Found Common Ground with the Religious, Stedman explores his own journey with faith and encourages his readers to let go of the certainty of their beliefs in favor of common ground in pursuit of a better world for all.

Friday’s keynote address is titled “Faitheist: Building Bridges Between Believers, Non Believers, and Everyone In Between.” Friday night’s activities will also include a Q&A session and book signing with Stedman, as well as a free dessert reception.

Saturday’s plenary workshop is titled “Finding Our Common Humanity.” Saturday’s program will also include interactive workshops led by IWU students, faculty, staff and alumni, a service project and Multifaith Sending Service, and a free lunch.

The summit is sponsored by Evelyn Chapel and the Multifaith Ambassador Program, IWU Interfaith, Pride Alliance and Secular Student Association.

By Megan Baker ’21