The Summer Institute Exchange Program is an exciting program that brings scholars, pastors, lay people and graduate students together each summer for a dialogue exchange program that focuses on Christianity and Religion in China and America.
Each year we invite a diverse group of scholars, pastors, graduate students and church members to participate in the seminar. Past participants have been from Harvard Divinity School, Northeastern University, Wheaton College, Boston University, the Episcopal Divinity School, Andover Newton Theological School, The City Mission Society of Boston, Bentley College, Newton Wellesley Hospital, and the Chinese Church of Lexington, MA.
Chinese colleagues have joined us from many universities including Peking University, Beijing Normal University, The University for Chinese Minorities, Tshingua University, Harbin University, Wuhan University, Nanjing University, Shanghai University, Fudan University and Yan Jing Seminary in Beijing. #Participants also have also joined us from several area churches and a rabbi and Catholic chaplain often attend. We continue to reach out to graduate students through our contacts in the Boston Theological Institutes.
Over the past six years the combination of academic excellence and personal bridge-building has strengthened the bonds of friendship and respect between participants in both countries. The conferences have opened doors for deeper dialogue as relationships continue over time. Because of our relationships of mutual trust and friendship we are able to talk freely with together as we continue our ongoing conversations about the role of religion in China and America, and what it means to be people of faith in our world today. It is rare for Chinese scholars and pastors to have this type of visit in the US. #Program participants are invited to attend similar conference in China and so we have a yearly exchange program. Whenever we visit China, we are grateful to be welcomed and trusted. We look forward to continuing this unique program of academic, cultural and personal exchange.
This program has been supported by local churches, the Walker Center, Auburndale, MA through generous grants from the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, and the Central Congregational Church Legacy Trust Fund.
Contact Rev. Dr. Fran Bogle at fbog@aol.com for more information.
