7th Grade Humanities kicked off the year with our annual World Religions Speaker Series, bringing clergy and lay-leaders from the five major world religions to the classroom to inspire and educate. As we begin the course with a study of the elements of culture (geography, religion, achievements, politics, economics, and social structure), the opportunity to learn from these guest lecturers about faith from a non-devotional perspective was really powerful.

The students asked wonderful questions, explored ancient texts, listened to a variety of calls to prayer, considered the importance of place, and even participated in both walking and seated meditation! We will spiral this newfound knowledge with the other elements of culture as we embark on our case studies throughout the year.

Thank you to:

Imam Omer Bajwa (Yale University)

Venkat Gade, Nita Bulsara (Chinmaya Mission Fairfield-New Haven)

The Venerable Shim Bo (Sacred Heart University)

Rabbi Evan Schultz (Congregation B’nai Israel)

The Reverend Vanessa Rose (First Church Fairfield)