2011-2012

 

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"What Does it Mean to be Spiritual but Not Religious?"

A conversation with Dr. Linda Mercadante, Professor of Theology, Methodist Theological School in Ohio.

 

7:00 pm Thursday, February 16th, at Grace Hall, First Community Church North Campus, 3777 Dublin Road. Free and open to the public.

Have you ever wondered what it really means to say you are "spiritual but not religious?" This rapidly growing segment of our society may comprise more than 25% of American adults, with much higher percentages among those under 40.  The "SBNRs" avoid dogmatism, shun institutionalism and practice a variety of spiritualities.  Unexpectedly, they can be found both within and outside organized religion.  We’ll explore the attitudes and beliefs of this burgeoning group and ask some important questions.  Is “spiritual but not religious” the wave of the future?  What does this movement mean for American society?  Do you fit this profile? Join us for a comprehensive discussion, with a leading national authority on the issue.

Professor Mercadante, in the forefront of this work, is writing a book soon to be published by Oxford University Press.  She has conducted extensive research, including more than 100 in-depth interviews and focus groups, as well as scores of informal conversations, site visits, and participant observation.  For this project, she has been named a Henry Luce Fellow in Theology for 2010-11, one of only six American scholars chosen for this prestigious research award.

Co-sponsored with First Community Church.

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"Awakening Your Creative Spirit"

A conversation with creativity coach Artie Isaac

7:00 pm on Thursday, January 12, at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Columbus, 1125 College Avenue

We'll explore the habits of highly creative people and discover how all of us can adapt and adopt those habits for a more engaged, enjoyable, and productive 2012.

Can you learn to become more creative?  Perhaps you might start by unlearning how you became less creative than you were when you were 10 years old.  You were creative then.  What happened?  Let's explore how to return to who you are - a naturally creative person.

Artie Isaac has worked for more than 30 years with highly creative people, addressing challenges and opportunities facing more than 1,000 companies. Now — after selling his award-winning advertising agency,Young Isaac — Artie leads corporate brainstorming and idea generation programs to develop new products and save businesses. Isaac is a group chair and executive coach with Vistage International, the world's leading chief executive organization.

Isaac teaches Personal Creativity and Innovation at The Ohio State University's Fisher College of Business. He also teaches Marketing Strategy, Ethics and Creativity at the Columbus College of Art & Design. Artie is a writer, actor, corporate trainer and sought-after public speaker.  He has a bachelor's degree in English Literature from Yale and an M.B.A. from Columbia.

Co-sponsored with the Jewish Community Center of Greater Columbus

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World Issues Community Forum

From Egypt's Tahrir Square to Occupy Wall Street:  what the new worldwide protest movements mean for America"  

Thursday, November 17, 7:00 pm at Beehive Books, 25 North Sandusky Street, just north of William Street, in Delaware, Ohio

Join us for a conversation about events and issues around the world, with emphasis on the ongoing Arab Spring, the Occupy Wall Street movement, and political protest movements worldwide.  Hear a discussion with Ohio Wesleyan University Professor of Politics and Government                     Sean Kay,

and Ohio Wesleyan University Professor of History Michael Flamm, moderated by Humanities Institute Associate Fred Andrle. You are invited to take an active part in the event with your comments and questions.

This event is co-sponsored with Beehive Books.

 

 

 

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"Senate Bill 5:  Yes or No?"

Tuesday, October 4, 7:00 pm  Bexley Public Library        2411 East Main Street

Senate Bill 5

Join us for our October “Conversation in the Humanities,” co-sponsored by the Bexley Public Library.

We’ll hear arguments for and against State Issue 2 on your November ballot.  Issue 2 gives Ohioans the opportunity to retain as law or repeal Ohio Senate Bill 5, which limits collective bargaining for Ohio public employees.

Joining us:  
     --a representative of the “Vote Yes on State Issue  2” campaign, “Building a Better Ohio.”  They advocate retention of SB 5 as law.
     --a representative of the “Vote No on State Issue 2” campaign, “We Are Ohio.”  They advocate the repeal of SB 5.

You are invited to take part in a public conversation designed to help you learn more about Issue 2, and to answer questions you may want to pose to about the Issue.