Lecture to focus on Islam in our time
A leading scholar of Muslim culture and politics will lecture in Honolulu next week on "Islam and the Challenge of Modernity."Robert Hefner, who is directing an international study on Islam and democracy with a grant from the Pew Charitable Trusts, will speak at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Academy of Arts Doris Duke Theatre.
The lecture, free to the public, is sponsored by the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art. The heiress and philanthropist, who lived in Honolulu, left most of her estate as an art museum and endowment to "promote the study and understanding of Middle Eastern art and culture."
Hefner is associate director of the Institute for Culture, Religion and World Affairs at Boston University. He is a professor of anthropology teaching on comparative religion, democratic theory, and identity and moral development.
He has authored and edited books on the Muslim society in Indonesia and is the editor for the sixth volume of "New Cambridge History of Islam: Muslim Society and Culture Since 1800."
Missionary to discuss conflict in Middle East
A Christian missionary will give her perspective on religious and political conflict in the Holy Land at the annual "Mission Festival" of the United Methodist Church Hawaii district.The Rev. Sandra Olewine, who has served as Methodist liaison in Jerusalem for seven years, will be the keynote speaker at the March 27 event at Wahiawa United Methodist Church. She has received awards within the denomination for her work to help visitors engage in personal encounters with Jews and Muslims to bring understanding of the peace and justice issues in the conflict.
The all-day meeting also features a panel discussion on "Living in an Interfaith Community," moderated by Saleem Ahmed. The Rev. Barbara Ripple, district superintendent, will speak on peace and justice issues, and Lilia Fernandez will talk about missionary work in Cuba.
Wednesday is the deadline for reservations. The cost is $7. Call 536-1864 for information.
Craft work leads into movie night
The congregation of Community Lutheran Church will combine a goodwill craft project with the free showing of a movie, "The Ride," today at the church in Salt Lake.The World Wide Pictures family movie about a hardened cowboy teaching his bull-riding skill to a youth who is ill with cancer will be shown at 8 p.m. at 4429 Malaai St.
The church also invites adults and children to come at 6 p.m. to paint T-shirts, refrigerator magnets and pottery items and share a light dinner.
Crafts will be donated to cancer patients at local hospitals, said spokeswoman Claire Sierra. For information, call 422-2933.
Women's group hosts World Day of Prayer
Church Women United will sponsor its annual World Day of Prayer service at 5 p.m. tomorrow at Kawaiaha'o Church. It is free and open to the public."In Faith, Women Shape the World," will be the topic of guest speaker the Rev. Margery Terpstra. Prayers and readings for the service were written by Christian women in Panama.
The program will begin at 4 p.m. with a tour of the historic church at 957 Punchbowl St.
Church Women United is an ecumenical movement working to bring peace and justice to the world.
Isle organists guild offers scholarships
The Hawaii chapter of the American Guild of Organists will pay to lure musicians to help with their task of providing music for church services, weddings and funerals.The guild is offering scholarships that will pay half the cost of one year of organ lessons.
May 31 is the deadline to apply. Applicants will be interviewed on June 12 in Honolulu. Call Ruth Urben, 623-5140, for an application form.
Religion Calendar