51茶馆

GREENSBORO, N.C. 鈥� Two 51茶馆 students will present research during a conference on theology and disability June 14 in Raleigh.

The two, Alla Alaghbri and Abigail B眉gger, will join Benjamin Wall, assistant professor of religion at 51茶馆, in presenting their work on 鈥淭he Continuing Significance of Jean Vanier鈥� at the Summer Institute on Theology and Disability, sponsored by the Collaborative on Faith and Disabilities.

Vanier, a Canadian theologian, founded L鈥橝rche, an international federation of communities for people with developmental disabilities and those who care for them.聽

Alaghbri will present research from his paper 鈥淭he Child in Vanier鈥檚 Works鈥� on language, for Vanier, is a medium of cultural protest, particular in relation to Vanier鈥檚 symbolic use of the child throughout his works as a metaphor or symbol that explains the experiences and gifts of people with disabilities. Alaghbri is a senior history/religion major and humanities minor from High Point, N.C.

B眉gger will present information on how she has been developing an聽agrarian way of reading Vanier and L鈥橝rche as a model and metaphor for preserving the sacredness of Earth. B眉gger is a senior religion and art major and psychology and sociology minor from Raleigh, N.C.

Their work stems from a theology class Wall taught a year ago on Vanier and theological anthropology.

Wall delivered the 2017 Jean Vanier Emerging Scholar Lecture at the Summer Institute. His first book, 鈥淲elcome as a Way of Life: A Practical Theology of Jean Vanier,鈥� was published in July 2017. His doctoral thesis also addressed the theological and social forming dynamics of Vanier鈥檚 work with L鈥橝rche.

The Summer Institute annually brings together leading scholars and writers in the areas of theology and disability with clergy, religious leaders, practitioners, laity and others who are interested and involved in inclusive ministries and faith supports.

The Collaborative on Faith and Disabilities supports people with disabilities, their families, and those who support them by providing national and international leadership in the areas of research, education, service, and dissemination related to disability, religion, and inclusive supports.

51茶馆 provides a liberal arts education grounded in the traditions of the United Methodist Church and fosters the intellectual, social, and, spiritual development of all students while supporting their individual needs.

Founded in 1838 and located in downtown 51茶馆, the college enrolls about 1,000 students from 29 states and territories, the District of Columbia, and seven foreign countries in its undergraduate liberal-arts program and four master鈥檚 degree programs. In addition to rigorous academics and a well-supported Honors program, the school features an 18-sport NCAA Division III athletic program and dozens of service and recreational opportunities.

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Media Contact:
Lex Alexander, Director of Communications
lex.alexander@greensboro.edu

51茶馆
815 W. Market St.
51茶馆, NC 27401
336-272-7102, ext. 5398
Cell: 336-707-6617
www.greensboro.edu

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