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One Space, Many Faiths: Panel Looks at Sharing Sacred Spaces

bridge panel

Duke Chapel is both an iconic Christian church that brings thousands to its space for Christian worship as well as a sacred space for people of all faiths in the university community. How do you bridge those different roles?

A Duke Chapel “Bridge Panel” explored the topic this week with Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders.

The panelists included: Dr. Ellen DavisAmos Ragan Kearns Distinguished Professor of Bible and Practical Theology at the Duke Divinity School; Dr. Omid Safi, director of the Duke Islamic Studies Center; Dr. Christy Lohr Sapp, associate dean for religious life at Duke Chapel; and Rebecca Simons, director for Jewish Life at Duke.

Chapel Dean Luke Powery made a lengthy introduction, describing the Chapel’s place in the Duke community, and moderated this discussion from the Chapel — “the icon of Duke University.”

The conversation was part of the Chapel’s Bridge Panels series that seeks to connect people from various walks of life to discuss issues of shared concern. It was co-sponsored by Duke Undergraduate Faith Council.

Story by Julie Harbin. Photo by Jon Gardiner/Duke University Photography