The Elon University Chaplain’s Office and the Department of Religious Studies will present stories of non-violence from the world’s religious traditions at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 17 in Whitley Auditorium, located on the Elon campus.
Stories from Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist traditions will explore the theme of non-violence and the culture of war. Surekha Pendyal, who grew up in Hyderabad, India, will tell Indian folk tales and stories from the great Hindu epics. Jem Williford, who was born in Turkey and raised there and in the United States, will tell Turkish folk tales and Islamic teaching stories. David Winer, who directs Durham Congregations in Action, an inter-faith, interracial group, will discuss the rich Jewish tradition of storytelling. Tonette Medlin, who attends Alston Chapel Holiness Church in Pittsboro, N.C., will tell stories of nonviolence from the Bible.
North Carolina native Louise Omoto Kessel will give the introduction. She recently coached storytellers for the Smithsonian Institution’s summer 2002 Folk Life Festival. Kessel has also worked with the Akland Art Museum in Chapel Hill on the “Five Faiths Project,” which involved storytelling from various religious traditions.