Muslim Blogger, playwright and activist Wajahat Ali is featured in this issue of Auburn Media Training’s Download. His New York Times 33-word quote had impact in drawing attention to the decision by Lowe's Home Improvement to pull advertising from the popular TLC reality show All-American Muslim after pressure from an anti-Muslim fundamentalist group called the Florida Family Association. Click here to read Auburn Media’s Download and here to follow Wajahat Ali.

Rev. Laurie Ferguson shares how faith leaders can refresh their vision for bold and resilient leadership through coaching. The Auburn Coaching Institute is now enrolling participants for the upcoming Comprehensive Coaching Programs in Greensboro, North Carolina and Chautauqua, NY. Auburn’s Coaching Institute has helped hundreds of church leaders thrive in their ministries and strengthens church leaders in the ways they need the most: organizational leadership, personal resilience, and vocational discernment. Click here to learn more about how you can be a part of Auburn’s Coaching Institute.
  

Years in the making, the uprising in Egypt began with a Facebook page and grew into a revolution. The media has turned to many voices during the past two weeks and Auburn recognizes Egyptian journalist and Muslim Mona Eltahawy for her thoughtful analysis. This clip from CNN shows Eltahawy urging for stronger media responsibility in their coverage of the uprising. To learn more about the powerful intersection between religion and social change, click here for Auburn resources.  

This month the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) ordained Scott Anderson as the first openly gay pastor under the new ordination guidelines that went into effect in July. This past week millions of Americans wore purple in support of Spirit Day as a sign of support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth and to speak out against bullying. For Auburn LGBT resources click here.

The first woman and the first African-American to be appointed as Ambassador for Religious Freedom, Rev. Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook has been bridging religious divides for decades. Dr. Cook was the first woman to serve as a chaplain for the NYPD and following 9/11 helped traumatized police officers and worked with the city's Muslim leaders. Click here for Auburn’s resources for cultivating and unleashing the power of women religious leaders for social change and transformation.

Auburn remembers Rev. Peter Gomes, a prominent voice for justice and LGBT issues. A Harvard minister and popular author, click play to listen to a humorous podcast excerpt of Rev. Gomes from the 2009 Gay Christian Network. For more Auburn resources on religion and justice click here and for more resources on LGBT issues click here.

Shmuly seeks to balance the many parts of his life as a young Rabbinical student including his chaplaincy work at St. Luke's Hospital. He is just one of the emerging leaders featured in the upcoming PBS film The Calling. Join Auburn this Tuesday December 7th to see a premiere of The Calling and enjoy panel discussion and lively conversation, click here to RSVP. To learn more about The Calling click here and be a part of the national video engagement campaign What's Your Calling by clicking here. Hear more from Shmuly's in Jewish Week by clicking here. 

Rabbi Burt Visotzky connects the current struggle for multifaith understanding around Islam with a larger struggle of religious intolerance. To watch more of Auburn’s Take the Bully Out of the Pulpit: How America’s Faith Leaders Can Bring Healing to the Nation click here.   

Joshua Stanton is one of the many religious voices to support Park51, the NYC community and mosque center at Ground Zero. Click here to learn more about Auburn resources to bridge religious divides and click here to learn how Auburn equips bold and resilient leaders to help heal the world. 

Jacki Zehner, creator and founder of the Purse Pundit blog and first female trader to be made a Goldman Sachs partner, is an example of the bold and resilient leadership Auburn exists equip. Hear more of Jacki’s inspiring words on women, God and money from Auburn’s Lives of Commitment Breakfast by clicking here.