Common Cause President Speaks at Hartford Seminary

October 20, 2011

Hartford Seminary Presents

The Michael R. Rion Lecture
How a Courageous Remnant Can Change the World

Bob Edgar, president and chief executive officer of Common Cause, delivered the biennial Michael Rion Lecture on October 26, 2011, speaking on "How a Courageous Remnant Can Change the World." The lecture, named in honor of Michael Rion, a former Seminary president, honors an individual who embodies a dedication to ministry in daily life and is committed to service to others. A reception preceded the lecture, which was attended by 125 people.

An excerpt from the talk: Over the past five decades, my vocational mission can be summed up in just a few words: "People of faith must step up to confront fear, fundamentalism and Fox News with an interfaith courageous commitment to address peace, poverty and Planet Earth." I believe God is calling average, ordinary, common folks to do above-average, extraordinary and uncommon things to insure a future for our fragile planet.

In our lifetime we can end the poverty that kills, heal the earth and live as brothers and sisters in peace, if, and this is a big if, Christians, Jews, Muslims, and all faiths, find new ways to live and work together. Using my experience as a pastor, politician, academic and social activist, I will challenge everyone to understand that we are the leaders that we have been waiting for! We are the courageous ethical remnant God has called to be the prophets and disciples in these troubled times. As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., often reminded us: ?You and I will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people, but for the appalling silence of the good people.? - Bob Edgar

Please enjoy these photos.

Heidi Hadsell, President of Hartford Seminary, with Bob Edgar