The Abrahamic Program: Within the Season and Within the Gates

The Abrahamic Community has been built here in numerous ways and forms. The 10:45 morning lecture program has presented topics and speakers from the Abrahamic traditions and the world of scholarship during the annual Abrahamic Weeks, and the 2:00 interfaith lectures programmed by the Department of Religion address the Abrahamic Faith Traditions during the designated weeks, as well as at other times during the Seasons. The Sunday evening Sacred Song Service now annually presents an Interfaith Service during Abrahamic Week, with participation by Christians, Jews, and Muslims in both the leadership and in the congregation. And The Nancy Chin Project, funded by the Boyle Family -- about whom more must be said later -- has provided to Chautauqua an exquisite visual representation of the Family of Abraham: magnificent 20 feet tall vinyl paper-cut sculptures which grace the Amphitheater stage annually here and have been shared throughout the country during the year where Abrahamic programs are being offered.

In 2004 the denominations and religious organizations at Chautauqua also made a remarkable commitment to living out the Abrahamic Community. Having been encouraged at gatherings organized by the Department of Religion for the previous five Seasons to explore ways to further enrich and to develop the four programmatic pillars of the Institution, with particular emphasis on reaching out and being inclusive of interfaith guests in their hospitality and programming, the 2004 gathering was a marker event, in that nearly every denomination and religious organization outlined steps being taken to include Muslims in their outreach. Indeed, a group of Muslims, having been attending programming at Chautauqua Institution and experiencing such hospitality for several years, now refers to themselves as Chautauquans and are considering the formation of a Muslim House on the grounds. The lived interfaith experience within Chautauqua thus holds the promise of promoting and making a significant difference in the initiation and support of interfaith endeavors everywhere that Chautauquans carry their influence.