Faith Origins in Philanthropy

February 16, 2011

8:30 a.m. Registration

9:00  - 10:30 a.m. Panel Discussion

Muhammad Ali Center

144 N. 6th Street

Louisville, KY 40202

Louisville's various faith traditions have a common theme of giving to those less fortunate and supporting the community. Join us for a fascinating discussion about the common thread of philanthropy through these diverse communities and traditions.

Confirmed panelists include:

Most Reverend William F. Medley, Bishop of Owensboro

 Bishop William F. Medley was ordained the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Owensboro on February 10, 2010 following the December 15, 2009 announcement from the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Pietro Sambi.

Bishop Medley has served in a variety of positions in the Louisville Archdiocese, including one on the College of Consultors, the Priests' Council, the Planning Commission of the Archdiocese, the Priests' Health Panel, and Priests' Personnel Board. He has also served as president of the Bardstown/Nelson County Ministerial Association and on the Nelson County Human Rights Commission.

 The Rev. Marian M. Taylor, Ph.D, Kentucky Council of Churches

Marian M. Taylor began serving as the Executive Director of the Kentucky Council of Churches in June 2009. This work unites 12 Christian traditions, both Catholic and Protestant, for a common voice and faith witness.

Marian was awarded a Ph.D. in political science at Harvard University in 1986, with a dissertation on the community development work done by Roman Catholic missionary orders during the Duvalier dictatorship years. From 1985 to 1990, she served as a program officer of the Ford Foundation, based in Mexico City.

While answering the call to ministry and completing a Master of Divinity degree at Louisville Presbyterian Seminary in 1995, Marian began to work in the Mission Funding office of the Presbyterian denominational headquarters. By 1997 she had become the director of the PCUSA's international mission work.

Rabbi Joe Rooks Rapport, The Temple, Congregation Adath Israel Brith Sholom

Rabbi Joe Rooks Rapport is Senior Rabbi of The Temple in Louisville, where he has served since 1988.  Rabbi Rapport, originally from northern Michigan,  received his Ph.D. in American Jewish History in 1988 from Washington University in St. Louis and a Master of Arts in History from the same University in 1986. He is a graduate of the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati where he was ordained in June of 1984.  Rabbi Rapport received his Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters from the Los Angeles campus of HUC, prior to which he spent a full year in Israel at the College’s campus in Jerusalem.  

At just twenty-two years of age, Bob became the pastor of Southeast Christian Church. Today that small congregation of 120 members has become one of the largest churches in America, with 18,000 people attending the four worship services every weekend in 2006. Bob retired from Southeast in June 2006.

An accomplished author, Bob has written over one-dozen books. He also has a weekly column in The Lookout, a magazine printed by Standard Publishing. In his leisure time he enjoys playing golf and is an avid University of Louisville football and basketball fan.

Rev. Dr. Kevin W. Cosby, St. Stephen Church

Pastor, Dr. Kevin Wayne Cosby is a man highly favored of God. Born on July 15, 1958, Pastor Cosby is the grandson of the first pastor of St. Stephen Church, Rev. Benjamin James Miller Sr. He received his calling and ministry training at an early age, which ultimately led him to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from Eastern Kentucky University (Richmond, Kentucky); a Master of Divinity degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Louisville, Kentucky); and a Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary (Dayton, Ohio).  

Pastor Cosby is currently the Senior Pastor of St. Stephen Church.  He was appointed to position in 1979 and through his dynamic "practical living" biblical teaching ministry, the church membership has grown from 500 to 10,000 members within the last 3 decades.

Dr. G.A. Shareef, Louisville Islamic Center

Dr. Shareef is currently a member of the Board of Directors for the Center for Interfaith Relations. For more than ten years, he has been very active in the Interfaith Movement in the United States, promoting inter-religious understanding, peace and justice. He is also a member of the Board of Faith Channel 19. He has served as a panelist for NPR, and appears on the "Moral Side of the News" which airs on WHAS 11, Faith Channel 19, and several radio stations.

Dr. Shareef is a Visiting Professor of Accounting at Sullivan University and has served as the Education Committee Chair and Sunday School Principal at the River Road Mosque since 1990.

Moderated by Turney P. Berry, Chair, Center for Interfaith Relations

Turney P. Berry concentrates his practice in the areas of estate planning, fiduciary matters, and charitable planning.  He is a member of the Louisville Estate Planning Council, Kentuckiana Planned Giving Council, an adjunct member of the American Association of Life Underwriters, and is a member of the Legal Advisory Committee of the Council on Foundations. 

Mr. Berry is Chair of the Center for Interfaith Relations, a Director of Actors Theatre of Louisville, the Kentucky Opera, and the Louisville Science Center, and a Member of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels.  A native of Tennessee, Mr. Berry received his B.A. and B.L.S. in 1983 from the University of Memphis and his J.D. in 1986 from Vanderbilt University.

Thank you to our Focus on Philanthropy Series sponsor: