Dialogue Institute

Calling all PA K-12 educators! The Dialogue Institute is supporting the Pennsylvania Department of Education in a story exchange and dialogue program for students.

The program aims to build bridges of connection and understanding among students across geographic and cultural lines. For example, a high school in rural Cumberland County will be paired with an urban school in Northeast Philly. The Dialogue Institute is providing resources to help teachers guide students in exploring how their diverse family backgrounds, cultures, and journeys have shaped the Commonwealth.

Many thanks to Rep. Jared Solomon and Rep. Barbara Gleim for initiating this important bipartisan project!

Our first teacher/school orientation session is on Monday, August 10th. Join us! Register Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/-MMvCbJ7R6ekWCq4x_6rBg #/registration

On July 29, 1794, the Mother Bethel congregation, initially called Bethel AME, held its first official service. The Church sits on the oldest parcel of land continuously owned by African Americans. It is also one of the nation’s first formal African American Christian congregations, as well as the mother church of the broader African Methodist Episcopal Church denomination.

The story of Mother Bethel begins with Richard Allen, a formerly enslaved minister who converted to Methodism at the age of 17. Allen was recognized as a gifted preacher and was invited to preach at St. George’s Methodist Episcopal Church in 1786. Allen grew the Black congregation at St. George’s until white leaders imposed segregated seating, confining Black members to the balcony. Allen and Absalom Jones eventually led most of the Black members out of the church in protest of this discriminatory practice.

Allen purchased a plot of land in 1791 at the corner of 6th and Lombard, anticipating the founding of a new church. However, Absalom Jones and many other participants in the fledgling community preferred to affiliate with the newly formed Episcopal denomination, which had broken away from the Anglican Church. Allen remained supportive of Jones.

Richard Allen later purchased a blacksmith shop, which he arranged to be moved to the plot of land at 6th and Lombard. Allen asked Bishop Francis Asbury to support the new church, and Asbury preached the dedication sermon in the blacksmith shop on July 29, 1794. Allen was ordained as a deacon in 1795, making him the first Black minister to be ordained in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

To learn more about Mother Bethel, download the Religious Freedom Trails app! Visit www.religiousfreedomtrails.org/app to learn more.

Opportunity Alert for PA K-12 Teachers! 📢

The PA story project is a PA Department of Education initiative that encourages students to celebrate their lived experiences situated within PA’s historical context. It highlights the diverse stories that make up our PA classrooms.

Join us Monday, August 10th at 5:00 PM on Zoom to learn more. Hear from PA teachers already engaged with the PA Story Project to find out how to participate in this state-wide classroom exchange.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/-MMvCbJ7R6ekWCq4x_6rBg

Just a few of the places you might find yourself while on a Dialogue Institute tour. 🗺️

📍 Do you recognize any of these local landmarks?

Interested in taking a tour? Learn more at https://religiousfreedomtrails.org/our-tours

We are saddened to announce the passing of Dialogue Institute board member John Esposito, a visionary scholar whose work helped shape research on Islam, interfaith relations, and global diplomacy.

A distinguished professor of religion and international affairs at Georgetown University, he was widely regarded as one of the world’s foremost scholars on Islam and Muslim-West relations. With over 45 books and countless articles translated into 35+ languages, he made complex ideas accessible to scholars, students, and the general public alike. Beyond his intellectual legacy, Professor Esposito was a teacher and mentor who inspired countless students.

Esposito was the founding Director of the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding and the Director of The Bridge Initiative: Protecting Pluralism--Ending Islamophobia.

As President of the American Academy of Religion and the Middle East Studies Association of North America, John served as a consultant to the U.S. Department of State, an ambassador for the UN Alliance of Civilizations, and was a member of the World Economic Forum’s Council of 100 Leaders and E. C. European Network of Experts on De-Radicalization.

He received honorary doctorates from St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto, the University of Sarajevo, University of Florida, and Immaculata University. He was also the recipient of the American Academy of Religion’s Martin E. Marty Award for the Public Understanding of Religion, Pakistan’s Quaid-i-Azzam Award for Outstanding Contributions in Islamic Studies, Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service Outstanding Teacher Award, and Georgetown’s Career Research Achievement Award.

The Dialogue Institute is deeply grateful for John Esposito’s partnership and guidance as a board member. His work helped to form the foundation for many of the conversations we continue today. Our heartfelt condolences go to his family, friends, and all who benefited from his wisdom.

Our PBS series AMERICAN MUSLIMS: A HISTORY REVEALED is just an introduction to the depth and complexity of the American Muslim story.

That’s why we’re excited to launch a newsletter where we will share even more of the stories we uncovered during our research.

In our latest issue, read an interview with scholar and series advisor Zain Abdullah as he reflects on Juneteenth, American Muslim history, and America250.

Sign up now: https://www.americanmuslimsfilm.com/newsletter

Have you seen our latest posts on Instagram? From Quaker dissent to abolitionist activism, Philadelphia’s history is full of pivotal moments and influential people that shaped our nation.

We’re sharing these stories and more on our public history page! Follow us at to learn more.
https://www.instagram.com/phillyreligiousdiversity/

There's still space to sign up for this Saturday's tour: Join us for a fun in-person tour exploring Germantown’s rich history of religious freedom!

This two-hour walking tour will begin at Market Square at the corner of Church Lane and Germantown Avenue (across from Uncle Bobbie's Coffee and Books) and follow Germantown Avenue along the northern edge of the Germantown Colonial Historic District, highlighting the various religious and intellectual groups who were present in early Germantown, including Quakers, Mennonites, Moravians, Reformed Lutherans, and natural scientists.

Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tour-religion-and-freedom-in-historic-germantown-tickets-1991481914014

TOUR: Religion and Freedom in Historic Germantown Join us for a fun in-person tour exploring Germantown’s rich history of religious freedom!