Events and Lectures

Join us April 3 on campus in Convocation Hall or online via livestream webinar for "The Sacredness of Water." The lecture begins by exploring the global indigenous worldviews of water, specifically how it has its own 'spirit' and its own agency. This indigenous worldview is then compared with a eurocentric worldview based on the commodification of water. We will then explore the damage done to water because of the global implementation of the eurocentric worldview. The lecture concludes by exploring how a theoretical approach seeking decoloniality might lead toward liberative praxis.

Join us April 2-4 for "Transforming Climates: Preaching Environmental Justice," a conference hosted by the School of Theology in Sewanee, TN.  Intended for clergy and lay leaders but open to all, sessions will explore how preaching changes in the face of the catastrophic failures of colonialist and exploitative systems. In lectures, workshops, and discussion groups, participants will develop tools for an embodied, attentive, and place-based approach to preaching that invites transformation of racial and environmental injustices. 

Join us Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. on campus or online for “Faith, Race & the Lost Cause: Confessions of the Confederate Church.” Chris Graham is a member of famed St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Richmond, Virginia and Curator of Exhibitions at the American Civil War Museum. In his lecture, Graham will reflect on his congregation's review of their Confederate history and share both expected and unexpected findings—about the ways that memorials and ideologies carry different meanings over time, turn into actions that people take, and perhaps even fade into the background for new generations.

For most people, Whoopi Goldberg's performance as Sister Mary Clarence in the Sister Act film franchise is the dominant interpretation of an African American nun and the desegregation of white Catholic sisterhood in the United States. In this presentation, Dr. Shannen Dee Williams will explore the story of America's real sister act: the story of how generations of Black women and girls called to the sacred vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience fought against racism, sexism, and exclusion to become and minister as consecrated women of God in the Roman Catholic Church. Join us on campus in Convocation Hall or online Feb. 1 at 6 p.m.

On December 8, 2023 Dr. Andrew Root and the Rt. Rev. Dr. Jacob Owensby delivered “Pastoring in the Secular Age." These church leaders and scholars discussed how the secular age affects the identity and practices of pastors today in a webinar format. Scheduled at the start of Advent, this webinar was intended to help preachers consider how the message of Jesus' incarnation can be preached in ways that resonate in a society that increasingly understands itself as having no need of God. 

David Livingstone called upon the British Church to help end slavery and the slave trade in Central and East Africa, but left open the question of what would become of freed slaves. In response, freedom villages were established and provided a missionary springboard. The stories of Mbweni, Freretown, and Rabai give us a glimpse into that missiological paradigm, offering a compelling example of the Church's witness.

Has the Anglican Church of Desmond Tutu lost her prophetic voice? Join us Monday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. in Convocation Hall or online.  As South Africa looks forward to celebrating 30 years since its first democratic elections, the Anglican Church of South Africa must also reflect on how it has been silent and complicit about the very things for which the “rainbow nation” fought.

On Sept. 27 the Rev. Canon Dr. Lizette Larson-Miller delivered a three-lecture series. Entitled “Essential Baptism,” the lecture series explored fundamental questions surrounding baptism, sacramental initiation, and eschatological belonging.

Wrongly accused and incarcerated as a young man, Termaine Hicks spent 19 years fighting for justice. Along the way he found invincible faith and, finally, freedom. Hick delivered a moving and inspirational address at the School of Theology on June 21, 2023.

Join us April 25 at 9:00 a.m. CDT for “Churches on the Front Lines of Climate Change,” a webinar led by Dr. Andrew Thompson, professor of theological ethics and the Rev. Simion Kinono, T’21, who serves in the Anglican Diocese of Buye in Burundi. The webinar examines the effects of climate change and how churches can respond. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

On Thursday March 30, the School of Theology of the University of the South welcomed the Rev. Katherine Sonderegger, Professor of Theology at Virginia Theological Seminary. Dr. Sonderegger delivered a lecture entitled, “Strongly unique? How Christ’s humanity is like and unlike our own.” 

On March 1, the School of Theology hosted the Rev. Melissa Kean, T'19, Memorial Lecture which was held by the Rev. Rachel Taber-Hamilton. As a Shackan member of the First Nation, Taber-Hamilton represents the Episcopal Church on the board of the Anglican Indigenous Network and is the Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Everett, WA.  A recording of her lecture entitled “ The Barbie & Pocahontas Dialogues: Healing the Cultural Divide Between Indigenous Episcopalians and the Church,” is available for viewing.

On Wed., Feb. 8 the School of Theology at the University of the South welcomed guest lecturer the Rev. Canon Professor Mark Chapman of Oxford University. His lecture entitled “Liturgies of War and Peace,” was held at 7 p.m. CST in Convocation Hall on the campus of the University of the South. A recording of the lecture is now available.

Dr. Anathea Portier-Young returns to the Advanced Degrees Program for the 2022 summer session and held a public lecture in Hargrove Auditorium on Wednesday evening, June 15 at 7:00. Entitled Miriam's Dance as Embodied Prophecy, Portier-Young examines the prophetic qualities of Miriam’s dance in Exodus 15:20-21. Click the Read More button below in order to view the recording of this Dr. Portier-Young's dynamic lecture.