For Immediate Release
January 25, 2006
Contacts: David Ottalini, 301 405 4076 or dottalin@umd.edu

Gliner Center Panel Seeks Humor in Religion

Memorial Chapel at the University of Maryland.

WHAT:

UM Panel Asks, "Can Religion and Humor Co-Exist?"

WHEN:

Thursday, February 9, 4:00 p.m.

WHERE:

Memorial Chapel, University of Maryland

BACKGROUND:

Some pundits claim that you'd have a hard time finding humor in any religion. Others, like Episcopalian Minister Steve Lawler, say "Laughing at oneself and one's own beliefs shows a kind of faith that escapes the literally minded."

The Art Gliner Humor Center at the University of Maryland has found three clerics - a rabbi, a minister and a priest - who, in fact, do use humor as an important part of their religious activities. They're all being brought together for a panel discussion to find out just how it's done.

The panelists include:

Rabbi Elli Fischer, originally from Baltimore, was ordained by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel (Orthodox), and holds both bachelor's and master's degrees from Yeshiva University. He taught at Yavneh Academy and served as program coordinator for the Center for Ongoing Torah Education and Learning (COTEL), an adult education program in Dallas, Texas before becoming Rabbi at the University of Maryland Hillel.

The Rev. John V. (Jack) Carlson is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and a pastoral counselor. He currently serves as pastor of Highland Presbyterian Church in Harford County, Maryland, and continues with a part-time pastoral counseling practice in Laurel. He is a graduate of Waynesburg College in Pennsylvania, Princeton Theological Seminary, and Loyola College of Maryland. He is a licensed clinical professional counselor in Maryland, and a fellow in the American Association of Pastoral Counseling.

Father Bill Byrne is originally from the Washington, D.C. area. He is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, taught school for three years, was accepted to study for the Archdiocese of Washington, and studied at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. He has spent 11 years as a priest, six at Maryland as Catholic chaplain and director of the Catholic Student Center.

MEDIA:

Media coverage is welcome. Parking is available in lot Y near the Memorial Chapel. Check here for directions. The panel discussion will be held in the West Chapel - entrance is in the back.

CONTACT:

For more information, contact the Art Gliner Center for Humor Studies at (301) 405-1569 or email to: humorcenter@yahoo.com. Event Day phone: (301)-314-9866.

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