CLU Director of Cross-Cultural & Interfaith Programs Speaks at Paradise Valley Methodist Church

CLAREMONT, Calif. - Feb. 2, 2016 - PRLog -- Claremont Lincoln University Director of Cross-Cultural and Interfaith Programs Stephanie Varnon-Hughes, Ph.D., will speak on “The Golden Rule: Ethical Commonalities Among Religious Faiths” at Paradise Valley United Methodist Church (PVUMC) in Paradise Valley, Arizona, on Wednesday, February 17.

“The world is full of differences,” said Dr. Varnon-Hughes. “Because of today’s growing diversity and integration around the world, it is more important than ever for all of us to learn from each other and to work to understand and respect the values and needs of the human community of which we're part. We need to learn to navigate our differences so that we can all flourish in our shared civic space.”

The lecture is part of PVUMC’s “Who Is My Neighbor?: An Exploration of Interfaith Compassion” speaker series, presented in association with the Salaam-Chai-Paradise Interfaith Forum of Temple Chai.

Dr. Varnon-Hughes is an award winning teacher and interfaith leader whose research interests include the history, theories, and practices of inter-religious education, mindfulness and compassion practices (with particular emphasis on practices from the Dharmic traditions, especially Jainism).  She is also engaged in public policy (especially regarding inequities in public education), and how digital and online resources can make education accessible and learner-focused.  Her doctoral dissertation in inter-religious education is focused on disequilibrium, resilience, and reflective practice as key ingredients for learning.

She was the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Journal of Inter-Religious Studies, a peer reviewed journal, and its sister publication, State of Formation, an online forum for emerging religious and ethical leaders. She holds a Ph.D. from Claremont Lincoln University, an M.A. and a Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.) from Union Theological Seminary. Her undergraduate degrees are in English and Education, from Webster University

Dr. Varnon-Hughes’s lecture is from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, February 17, at Paradise Valley United Methodist Church located at 4455 E. Lincoln Drive in Paradise Valley, AZ.  For more information contact Rev. Andrea Andress at 602-840-8360, ext. 142 or email her at aandress@pvumc.org .

About Claremont Lincoln University
Founded in 2010, CLU is a unique, pluralistic graduate university that offers innovative, 21st Century educational programs with a secular global perspective designed to bridge the social divides. Their mission is to put ideas and ideals into action utilizing their proprietary Claremont Core^® methodology of cultivating the engagement skills of mindfulness, dialogue and collaboration that transcend cultural, religious, ideological, and economic barriers.  The university offers Masters programs in Social Impact, Ethical Leadership and Interfaith Action.  Students are taught to integrate self-knowledge with critical perspectives and contemporary skills to create sustainable social change.  For more information visit https://www.claremontlincoln.org.