Mark your calendars and join us for two days of reunion, learning, and rejuvenation! The 2026 St. Luke's Lectures & Homecoming event will take place in Sewanee Tuesday, Oct. 6 - Thursday, Oct. 8. The St. Luke’s lecture series, to be given by Lauren Winner associate professor of Christian Spirituality at Duke Divinity School, is the cornerstone of a two-day long homecoming event, which also includes a semi-formal cocktail reception and banquet dinner, continuing education workshops, communal worship, and other activities.
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View the event schedule
ABOUT THE LECTURES
On Wednesday, Oct. 7 the Rev. Dr. Lauren Winner will deliver a three-lecture series entitled “Seeing the Text Otherwise: The Scriptures of Year B Through Art, Plant, Image.” The series is free and open to the public. A Continuing Education Attestation will be available at the lectures for attendees interested in receiving continuing theological education hours.
These three lectures invite preachers and ponderers to read Year B’s lections with provoking companions: a painting, a flower, a metaphor. Each lecture takes up one of these entry points, exploring how art, non-human creation, and Scripture’s figurative language for God can shape the work of preaching. Together, the sessions sketch sermons attentive to the textures of text, image, and the material world— an exercise in “seeing the text otherwise.”
Continuing Education Workshops
On the morning of Thursday, Oct. 8 the School of Theology will offer a choice of workshops for continuing education hours. Workshops will be offered in two time slots during the morning, making it possible for participants to select two different workshops from the following offerings:
- Mysticism & Multiculturalism: Personal & Parish Transformation with Relationship(s) at the Center
The Rev. Laurel Mathewson T'13
Ten years ago, Laurel and Colin Mathewson became co-vicars of St. Luke’s in San Diego, a family-sized congregation made up almost entirely of Sudanese former refugees. Today, the ASA has doubled: about 150 people worship at St. Luke’s each week in English, Arabic, and Swahili. Alongside this work of parish renewal, Laurel’s prayer life was transformed through the teachings of St. Teresa of Avila. This workshop will explore the fruits (and challenges!) of prioritizing humility and relationship(s) in both our interior and congregational lives. - Already Present: Parish Ministry Across the Disaster Cycle
The Rev. Jason Ruiz-Schwartz, T’25 & Race Hodges
Drawing on case studies from the field, participants will engage with asset-based community development as a framework for recognizing the spiritual and material resources already present in their communities, and leave with concrete preparedness actions suited to their own ministry contexts. - Stories of Stewardship: Fundraising and Legacy Giving in the Parish
Allison Cardwell & The Rev. Lucas Crossland, T'23
This workshop invites seminary alumni to reflect on stewardship, not just as a financial task, but as spiritual practice rooted in storytelling and relationship. - From Programs to Presence: Reimagining Youth & Young Adult Formation
The Rev. Nathan Huddleston, The Rev. Rob Donehue, The Rev. Canon Ricardo Sheppard
How do we form young people and young adults for deep, lasting discipleship in a world that no longer revolves around the Church? This workshop explores the shift from program-centered ministry to relationship-centered formation, where authenticity, belonging, and spiritual depth matter more than attendance numbers.
Lodging
Quality Inn (509 West Main Street, Monteagle, TN 37356): Room block of 10 rooms confirmed for Oct. 6 and 7 at Quality Inn, Monteagle, $90.25 per room per night plus tax. Guests who wish to stay at the Quality Inn need to call 931.924.8880 and ask to book a room from the School of Theology Homecoming’s room block. Room release date for the block is Sunday, Sept. 6.
Smoke House Lodge (844 West Main Street, Monteagle, TN 37356): Room block of 20 rooms confirmed for Oct. 6 and 7 at a discounted rate of $69.99 for double queen rooms and $76.99 for king rooms, both rates per room per night plus tax. Guests who wish to stay at the SmokeHouse are to call 800.489.2091 by Sept. 5th and ask to book a room in the School of Theology room block. Room release date for the block is Sept. 6th.
Rivendell Spiritual Center (254 Rivendell Lane, #3334, Sewanee, TN 37375): Rivendell has up to 15 bedrooms available for booking on Oct. 6 and 7. Guests who wish to stay at Rivendell need to contact Trish Mantooth at 931-308-6255 (cell); 931-598-5555 (Rivendell main number); or trish.rivendellspiritualcenter@gmail.com.
