Exploring Boundaries…and Beyond (EBB) is a monthly series of presentations that explore ideas and values at the boundaries where our faith meets the rest of the world. The range of topics is intentionally broad, reflecting the scope of interests and concerns within our faith community. Our speakers, all recognized in their fields, are drawn from LCH, the universities, and the wider community. Bring your questions!
EBB takes place on the third Sunday of each month during the school year at 6:00 pm. These evenings are free and open to the public. Please invite your friends and family.
Presentations
Each month’s presentation and discussion will take place in Isenberg Hall from 6:00 until 7:15 pm.
Scheduled presentations for this year include:
| Date | Speaker and Title |
|---|---|
| September 15 | “A Report from Honduras and Guatemala” by Barbara Polk, Ph.D.—We know America is part of the global community. We are acutely affected by what happens in other countries and regions of the world. Much current political debate centers around the immigration of unaccompanied children. Behind that is the humanitarian crisis driving the news out of Central America—borders, refugees, immigrants, drugs, poverty, etc.
Barbara Polk, Ph.D., recently visited the region and provides an illustrated report on her observations. Barbara’s academic work includes a doctorate in Social Psychology and many years as part of the administration of the UH system—including chancellor of Leeward Community College. Upon retirement, Barbara has become a familiar face at the Hawai‘i State Legislature, giving testimony and tracking bills relating to social issues in Hawai‘i. |
| October 19 | “Chemical Elements—The Stuff of Stars” by Dr. Art Mori—Postponed to January due to weather |
| November 16 | “A Personal View of the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict” by Dr. Neal MacPherson—After prayerful study, Neal visited the Holy Lands to experience something of the intractable relationship between Palestinians and Israelis. As a pastor, Neal’s views are based on the teachings of Jesus, given to his disciples during a time of Roman occupation, a time equally bleak, and full of daily atrocities and despair. Are there rays of hope, and can the antagonists find other paths to living together in the region? UCC Pastor Neal MacPherson served Church of the Crossroads in Honolulu for many years. Although retired, he lends his voice and support to issues of social ministry and global justice, bringing the world into the church. Rev. MacPherson is a member of Sabeel-USA, working for peace and justice in Palestine-Israel. His book title, Church at a Crossroads: On Being the Church after Christendom, conveys a ongoing interest in the evolution of institutional Christianity. |
| December 7 | “Healing Jeju Island” by Eric Yamamoto—Eric writes: “I’m in the midst of a compelling project on social healing (with theological dimensions) that involves efforts to engage the United States in reconciliation efforts around the Jeju Island (South Korea) Tragedy. This little known massacre of tens of thousands of island residents falsely characterized as ‘communist insurgents’ started during the US ‘peacetime’ occupation and control over South Korea’s military and police after WWII and before the Korean War. My team of students and I will be in Wash. DC in November for a big convening and possible interaction with government officials.”
Eric K. Yamamoto is an internationally-recognized law professor at the University of Hawai’i Richardson School of Law. Known for his legal work and scholarship on racial justice, with an emphasis on redress for historic injustice, Eric’s work led to the reparations for Japanese Americans interned during WWII. He also specializes in civil procedure and complex litigation. He is a founding member of the Equal Justice Society and speaks regularly on “social healing through justice.” |
| January 18 | “Chemical Elements—The Stuff of Stars” by Dr. Art Mori—In the most simplistic terms—“in the beginning”—the Big Bang produced lots of hydrogen. But where did all the other chemical elements come from? Dr. Mori presents a fascinating look at the chemical evolution of the universe, a detailed consideration of the astrophysical processes responsible for nucleosynthesis (the formation of elements). Beginning with the Big Bang and proceeding to present day, these processes have constructed our universe and our very beings. Dr. Mori will also introduce us to atomic structure and a few of the myriad sub-atomic particles. What kind of energy does it take to hold these particles, and our universe, together?
Art Mori, PhD, is Emeritus Professor of Chemistry at Chaminade University. He holds degrees in chemical engineering (BE, Yale); education (Diploma, UC Berkeley) and physical organic chemistry (PhD, University of Hawai‘i, Mānoa). At Chaminade, Dr. Mori also taught courses on the geology of the Hawaiian Islands. |
| February 15 | “Love” by Pr. Fritz Fritschel—“Love” is a foundational concept of Christian teachings, but how are we to understand this term? Using theology, philosophy, literary examples, poetry and art, Fritz Fritschel will explore the many varieties of love exemplified in the thought, writings, and lives of St. Augustine of Hippo, St. Francis of Assisi, and Martin Luther. |
| March 15 | Tom Klobe—In the mid 1960s, a young American was posted to a remote village in northern Iran, as a Peace Corp volunteer. From a youthful determination to perpetuate President Kennedy’s legacy, to grappling with unfamiliar customs and languages, to discovering the friendship and love of the Iranians people, Tom discovered that being “Tom of Iran” was as fulfilling as being “American Tom.” His future career, as gallery director and professor of Art History (Medieval Europe and Islamic Art) at UHM spanned 29 years, where he designed and installed over 200 exhibits including five that won national awards. Mr. Klobe’s love of Islamic Art provides the basis for this illustrated presentation, which will include autobiographical aspects of his time in Iran. He has recently published a memoir, A Young American in Iran, available on Amazon. |
| April 19 | “Self-care in the Midst of Caring for Others: A Discussion on Establishing and Maintaining Healthy Boundaries” by the Reverend Al Miles—This topic is pertinent for all of us, as we are all called on, from time to time, to minister to the needs of others.
Reverend Al Miles is the coordinator of the Hospital Ministry Department for Pacific Health Ministry at The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu. In addition, he is an ethics consultant and chair of the hospital’s ethics committee. He has served on many boards, including the National Advisory Committee on Violence Against Women (2002–2005) and the Joyful Heart Foundation’s board of directors. Rev. Miles speaks frequently to nationwide audiences on topics such as domestic violence, teen dating violence awareness, caring for our elders, ethical dilemmas, maintaining healthy boundaries as we care for others, racism and other forms of bigotry, and spirituality. He is the author of many publications, including the books Violence in Families: What Every Christian Needs to Know, Domestic Violence: What Every Pastor Needs to Know (1st and 2nd Edition), and Ending Violence in Teen Dating Relationships: A Resource Guide for Parents and Pastors. |
| May 17 | “The Pursuit of Mars: Should we? Could we?” by Rachel Lentz —Science fiction stories have the luxury of taking giant what-if leaps and then fulfilling dreams of what could be with the stroke of a pen. But in our current world, where political insanity seems to be on the rampage and environmental catastrophe possibly only years away, should we be taking those leaps for real? Many consider that the only logical way to ensure the survival of humanity as a species is to spread beyond planet Earth. And the next best bet in our Solar System for a home is Mars. We’ll talk about the realities of what is necessary for a colony of humans to leave this planet behind and what it would take to colonize Mars in particular. We’ll also discuss whether this is a sensible or advisable goal in the next 10–20 years.
Rachel Lentz earned undergraduate and doctoral degrees in geology. Her lifelong interest in science fiction encouraged her to look to space for part of her dissertation topic, by way of studying Martian meteorites. She recently became interested in the troubles our world is facing through climate change. For many years, Rachel has contributed her beautiful voice to the LCH Choir as a soprano soloist and section leader. Her two children participate in LCH ministries for young people. |