The Professional Speakers Bureau of Hartford Seminary features doctoral graduates and students who have special expertise in a variety of subjects. Each speaker lists the topics they would be available to speak on, and their direct contact information is provided.

If you see a speaker you would like to engage, please contact the speaker directly. All details of the speaking engagement are the responsibility of the host and the speaker.

If you wish to ask that a member of the Hartford Seminary faculty speak at your program, contact David Barrett, director of public and institutional affairs, at dbarrett@hartsem.edu or 860-509-9519. Faculty profiles are available at: http://oldhartsem.hartfordinternational.edu/pages/faculty/profiles/.

Speakers

Kemal Argon, Ph.D. (Arab and Islamic Studies, Exeter University / Hartford Seminary), Adjunct Instructor, Hartford Seminary
Areas of expertise: Islam and Christian-Muslim relations, Islam in the modern world, Interreligious dialogue, Islamism in Pakistan, Islamic Mysticism/Sufism
Contact Information: keargon@gmail.com

Omer Bajwa, Coordinator of Muslim Life, Yale University Chaplain’s Office, New Haven, CT
Areas of expertise: Islamic studies, Christian/Muslim relations, Islam in the United States, Islam & the global media, and contemporary relations between the West & the Muslim world
Contact Information: omer.bajwa@yale.edu, 203-432-8753

The Rev. Dr. Brian R. Bodt, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport, Bridgeport, CT
Areas of expertise: stewardship; especially using the New Consecration Sunday program; church size theory and transition.
Contact information: brianbodt@ccgb.org, 203-334-1121, ext. 233

The Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel, Senior Minister, First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn, UCC, Glen Ellyn, IL
Areas of expertise: preaching, congregations
Contact information: Lillian@firstconge.org, 630-469-3096

The Rev. Dr. Laurie Etter, Protestant Chaplain at Niantic/York Correctional Institute, Niantic, CT
Areas of expertise: women in prison; chaplaincy; addiction and spirituality; healing the spiritual issues of trauma
Contact information: laurietter@aol.com; 860-739-4518

Richard A. Hasler, Ph.D., retired pastor, Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Areas of expertise: church history, especially New England Puritanism, the American colonial period and the American Revolution; ecumenical relations and interfaith dialogue; preaching; prayer; the benefits of walking including physical fitness, mental renewal, and spiritual rejuvenation
Contact information: rahasler@sbcglobal.net

The Rev. Molly James, Ph.D. (Theology, University of Exeter/Hartford Seminary), Adjunct Professor of Theology and Ethics, Hartford Seminary
Areas of expertise: Suffering and grief, end of life issues, pastoral care, Christian ethics, Anglican history and theology
Contact information: mjames@hartsem.edu, 860-578-4665

The Reverend Dr. Douglas L. Maven, Senior Pastor, First African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Paterson, NJ
Areas of expertise: General: Christianity. Specific topics: organizational development & management, leadership training, social service program planning and development, non-profit community development, conflict management and resolution
Contact information: DrMaven@verizon.net, 973-345-2439

Imam Dr. Salahuddin M. Muhammad, Chaplain, Fishkill Correctional Facility, Beacon, NY; Senior Imam of Masjid Al Ikhlas, Newburgh, NY; and contract chaplain at Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY
Areas of expertise: Islam, general Islamic studies, Islamic theology, Christian/Muslim relations, criminal justice issues and inmate advocacy
Contact information: ihsaniman@aol.com, 914-475-2605

The Rev. Nicolas Mumejian, Ph.D. candidate, Hartford Seminary/University of Exeter, Managing Editor, The Muslim World journal, and Education Director, Central Baptist Church, Hartford, CT
Areas of expertise: Christian ethics, Islamic studies, Christian-Muslim relations, Evangelical perspectives on Islam, Christological pacifism, and interfaith relations between Baptists and Muslims.
Contact information: nmumejian@hartsem.edu, 860-509-9503

The Rev. Aaron R. Payson, Pastor, Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester, MA
Areas of expertise: emergency preparedness for faith-based communities, life-cycle of a disaster for faith-based communities, lay pastoral care team development & crisis intervention, reproductive justice and religion, introduction to neuro-theology, preaching without notes
Contact information: arpayson@charter.net, 508-963-5959

Amy Leigh Poppinga, Ph.D. candidate, Hartford Seminary/University of Exeter, and Instructor, History Department, Bethel University, St. Paul, MN
Areas of expertise: General: Islamic Studies and Middle Eastern History; Specialties: Islam 101, Why Christians and Muslims Need Each Other, How Teachers Can Teach (Not Preach) Religion Effectively in the Classroom, Building Bridges: Cultural and Religious Competency in the Workplace.
Contact info: apopping@bethel.edu, 612-605-1281

The Rev. Dr. Donna Schaper, senior minister, Judson Memorial Church, New York, NY
Areas of expertise: Congregational growth, generationally, spiritually, financially and numerically
Contact information: donnaschaper@gmail.com, 212-477-0351, ext. 22

The Rev. Dr. Eric B. Smith, Founding Pastor, The Adoni Spiritual Formation Center, New Haven, CT
Area of Expertise: Spirituality and how it?s reflected practically in everyday life.
Contact Information: eric_b_smith@sbcglobal.net, Home: 203-865-6873, Cell: 203-804-2866

Dr. Ben F. Wade, Vice President and Dean of the College, Emeritus, Florida Southern College, Lakeland, FL
Area of expertise: Introduction to Old and New Testament interpretation
Contact information: 863-815-0815

The Rev. Dr. Charles F. Williams, Pastor, Memorial Baptist Church, Hartford, CT, and Chaplain, Connecticut Department of Correction
Areas of expertise: spirituality (incorporating the teachings of my Christian faith, along with Islam, Native American spirituality and Buddhist mindfulness), recovery/addiction, criminal justice, mental health
Availability: Evenings except for Sundays; and during the day on Wednesdays or Thursdays only
Contact information: reverendcw@gmail.com, 860-896-1147