A Discussion through the Lens of Religion

Join the Charlotte Ideas Festival for a panel discussion on interfaith dialogue and the role of religion in civic life at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art.

What is the role of interfaith dialogue in civic life? Are values of compassion, understanding, and justice more important than doctrinal differences? How do we balance pluralism with belief? What are the pressing issues of interfaith dialogue and the role of religion in civic life today? What's at stake?

Be a part of this critical and timely conversation with our panelists!

Rev. LeDayne McLeese Polaski is Executive Director of MeckMIN: Mecklenburg Metropolitan Interfaith Network. She previously served on the staff of the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America ~ Bautistas por la Paz for 21 years, ending as Executive Director. She began her career as the Minister of Youth at Myers Park Baptist Church.

Rabbi Lexi Erdheim is Associate Rabbi at Temple Beth El in Charlotte where she leads worship, officiates life cycle events, teaches, and serves as a member of the leadership, engagement, and clergy team.

Dr. Jaspal Singh is a local physician who is a member of the Sikh faith and serves on the Board of the local Gurdwara Khalsa Darbar, where he also teaches in the children’s Sunday School. Dr. Singh serves in several leadership roles at Atrium Health, where he is the Chair of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Adult Medical Specialties.

Rev. Dr. Peter M. Wherry is a 43-year veteran pastor, community leader, social activist and scholar. Since January of 2007, he has served as Senior Pastor of the Mayfield Memorial Missionary Baptist Church. Through his work as Founding Moderator of the United Missionary Baptist Association, Dr. Wherry provided leadership to 70 churches in Charlotte and its surrounding counties.