Civil rights movement leader the Rev. James Lawson will highlight the fall 2009 semester programming of Vanderbilt Divinity School when he delivers the annual Cole Lectures Oct. 15-16.
Lawson, Distinguished Visiting Professor at Vanderbilt and one of the leading theorists of non-violent political struggle, will speak at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, and 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 16.
The event is free and the public is invited. The first lecture will be on “Seeking First the Kingdom: The Nashville Story, 1958-1962.” It will be followed by a talk on “Unfettering Jesus.” The lectures will be taped for video podcast at VUCast, the website of Vanderbilt News Service, at www.vanderbilt.edu/news/.
The Cole Lectures were established in 1892 by philanthropist E.W. Cole for “the defense and advocacy of the Christian religion.” Speakers in the series have included Paul Tillich, George Buttrick, Don Beisswenger and Jim Wallis.
The divinity school will offer two community breakfasts during the semester. These events, open to members of the public who register in advance for $10, feature members of the divinity school community reflecting on aspects of their work.
From 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Oct. 1, divinity school administrators Kim Maphis Early and Becky Eberhart will speak on “The Spiritual Search of Young Adults.” Early, associate dean of academic affairs and assistant professor for the practice of ministry, and Eberhart, director of admissions and students services, have worked with church-related groups across the United States funded by the Lilly Endowment to encourage young adults to consider their life choices in the context of personal and communal values and faith commitments.
A second community breakfast is scheduled for 7:30-8:30 a.m. Nov. 19. It will feature several students and M. Douglas Meeks, The Cal Turner Chancellor’s Chair in Wesleyan Studies and Theology, reflecting on an annual trip to England to study Anglican and Methodist worship and spirituality.
The community breakfasts are held in the refectory at Vanderbilt Divinity School, 411 21st Ave. S. To register, go to http://www.vanderbilt.edu/divinity/breakfasts_register.php or call (615) 936-8453.
This semester’s Relevant Religion series will feature three classes on “The Art of Caring for Those Who Suffer” by Joe Pennel, professor of the practice of leadership. The series will explore practical suggestions for those who care enough to walk alongside those who are suffering and help with the understanding of how different individuals respond to suffering and their common question about God during such experiences.
“The Art of Caring for Those Who Suffer” is scheduled for 7-8:30 p.m. Oct. 6, 13 and 20 at Belmont United Methodist Church, 2007 Acklen Ave. The cost is $10 per student. To register, go to http://www.vanderbilt.edu/divinity/rel_religion_register.php or call (615) 936-8453.
Media Contact: Jim Patterson, (615) 322-NEWS
jim.patterson@vanderbilt.edu