Mark Jordan's Lectures are the Cornerstone of our Annual Two-Day Alumni Lectures & Homecoming Event

 
Register Here

Join us for two days of learning  and rejuvenation. All are welcome whether you're visiting the School of Theology for first time or the fiftieth. Mark Jordan's Lecture series are free and open to the public, while also the cornerstone of a two-day long event, which offers a range of meals, receptions, workshops and activities to paid registered attendees. 

Highlights for registered attendees include a choice of  School of Theology faculty workshops, a lunch & learn session held by the Rev. Canon Anthony Guillen, a presentation by Crucifix artist Laura James, the dedication of the new Crucifix in the Chapel of the Apostles with reception to follow, and a semi-formal evening reception and dinner.

Organized activities begin the afternoon of Tuesday, Sept. 27 and are scheduled through mid-day on Thursday, Sept. 29. The cornerstone of the event is a series of three lectures entitled “The Word After Babel—Writing Theology Here and Now,"  to be held on Wednesday Sept. 28 by guest lecturer, Dr. Mark Jordan of Harvard Divinity School.

Space is limited for some activities so please reserve your spot now. Your registration fee of $100 per person covers workshops, activities, cocktail reception and dinner, on-campus shuttle transportation and most meals. Dr. Mark Jordan's Lectures held throughout the day on Sept. 28 are free and open to the public. Dr. Jordan's lectures will be held on campus in Guerry Auditorium where there is plenty of space. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. Join us!

Register to Attend Two-day Event On Campus
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Two-Day Event Schedule

Download the complete event schedule here.

 

About The Lectures

 

The Word After Babel—Writing Theology Here and Now

 

  • 9:00 am: Theological Style and Beauty’s Revolutions

  • 1:00 pm: Theological Prophecy and the Risk of Slogans

  • 3:00 pm: Theological Silences or the Smallness of Writing

 
Synopsis

Whether you preach sermons or listen to them, whether you pray to God in the language of the Prayer Book or in silence, whether you prefer religious poetry or academic prose, in every case theological decisions impact how we speak to and about God. In a series of three lectures, Dr. Mark Jordan will guide us through the ways in which the Anglican and Episcopal tradition shapes our common language, and our understanding of God. Dr. Jordan writes:

Anglicans have typically claimed, as a biblical principle, that public prayer and the ministry of sacraments should occur in “a language as the people understandeth.” Applied to “the English tongue,” the commitment has called forth vivid translations of scripture and eloquent prayerbooks, surrounding them with libraries of devotional poetry, affecting hymnody, and robust preaching. Not a few Anglicans boast of their vernacular—or, at least, their versions of English.

Jordan shares their impulse, but feels more strongly the press of basic questions. How are theologians obliged by the many common languages of our verbose present? Which “people” do they address—and how exactly will they help them to “understand”? The lectures will cover three topics:

  • Theological Style and Beauty’s Revolutions
  • Theological Prophecy and the Risk of Slogans
  • Theological Silences or the Smallness of Writing

Each lecture will focus on the tensions in more recent Anglican writing around one topic. Taken together, the lectures will interpret “Anglican” loosely—as befits one of the great indefinables. Pursuing examples of common language about the divine, the lectures will also cut across some academic boundaries, commend some questions, and suggest some conversation-partners. The rest is, as must be, up to the listener.

Alumni Lectures & Homecoming Event Highlights
  • Artist Talk and Installation: On Tuesday, Sept. 27 a presentation by artist Laura James, creator of the new Crucifix, will precede the formal installation of the work in the Chapel of the Apostles.
  • Cocktail hour reception and banquet on the evening of Wednesday, Sept. 28. Attire is festive: Sunday best /clerical optional.
  • A choice of workshops to be held on the morning of Thursday Sept. 29. Register for workshops with your online event registration form or upon arrival during onsite check-in, Tuesday Sept. 27 1-4pm.
  • Reunion Dinner: On the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 27, the Office of Alumni Relations will host a special reunion dinner for alumni whose graduation year ends in two or seven (for example, 2017, 2012, 2007, 2002, etc.). Alumni from these years and their companions will gather for a festive dinner with fellow classmates at 7 pm at McGriff Alumni House on Georgia Avenue. If you are a reunion year member, please plan to join the reunion dinner and let us know by indicating your attendance on the event registration form.
  • Nature Hike: On Tuesday, Sept. 27, join current Master of Arts in Religion and Environment student Audrey Jordan, T'23, for a hike to scenic Piney Point. Along the way, we will pause for spiritual reflection and identification of nonhuman creation we encounter in this section of the Domain

 

Workshops and Lunch & Learn Session

You may pre-register for workshops when completing the online event registration form or during onsite check-in at Hamilton Hall on the afternoon of Tuesday, Sept. 27 from 1-4 pm. Workshop participants are eligible for continuing education credits.  Below are brief descriptions of the Lunch & Learn session and each workshop.

  • An Evolving Approach to Latino Ministry

Lunch & Learn led by visiting Fellow-in-Residence, the Rev. Canon Anthony Guillén

Description: Come to this informal Lunch & Learn session and gain a deeper understanding of Latino Ministry and how you can apply acquired practical approaches to your community and church ministry. The session will be held in the ABC rooms upstairs in McClurg Dining Hall on Wed. Sept. 28 from 11:45am - 12:45pm. Participants may sign-up for the session during the Alumni Lectures & Homecoming event onsite registration and check-in which will take place in the foyer of Hamilton Hall on Tuesday Sept. 27 from 1-4pm. Please be on the look out for sign-up sheet and be sure to add your name to it.

  • Developing Leadership Literacies for the Future Church
    Led by the Rev. Giulianna Gray and the Rev. Canon Michelle Bolt

Description: This workshop is an interactive exploration of the leadership literacies required for the church to thrive in an increasingly uncertain world. In a future where the organizations that thrive will be distributed, how do we take authentically Anglican steps to adapt our rhythms of hierarchy? Based on the work of Frederic Laloux (Reinventing Organizations) this workshop uses case studies and guided discussion for a lively integrated learning experience.

  • Transforming Memory: Confronting Confederate Histories in Episcopal Parishes
    Led by the Rev. David Stark, the Rev. Hannah Pommersheim, T'19, and the Rev. Kellan Day, T'19

Description: This workshop covers a brief theology of memory and its relationship to Confederate histories. We will explore pragmatic approaches to confronting this history, utilizing community dialogue and preaching in the parish.

  • Churches on the Front Lines of Climate Change
    Led by Dr. Andrew Thompson and the Rev. Simion Kinono, T'21

Description: This workshop considers how churches can respond to climate change in their communities. Simion Kinono will share his experience leading environmental ministries in communities dealing with deforestation and drought. Andrew Thompson will discuss the effects of climate change on a local level, and how churches can respond.

 

 

lodging

  • A block of rooms at the Anna House, St. Mary’s Sewanee, has been reserved for alums to book rooms. Call 931.598.5342 to make a reservation by noting the "Alumni Lecture Series."
  • The Sewanee Inn has a block of 25 rooms held. The online link and booking code are: Link: Alumni Lectures & Homecoming
    Booking code: ALHC22
    If you prefer, you can call the Sewanee Inn at 931.598.3568 to make a reservation by giving the booking code "ALHC22."
  • Note: Shuttles will be provided to and from the Sewanee Inn, Hamilton Hall, and Guerry Hall on Sept. 28 and from the Sewanee Inn and Hamilton Hall on Sept. 29.

 

 

 

Registered Attendees

70 Alumni have already registered. Register to join them!

Tom

Adamson

Walker

Adams

Kemper

Anderson

Pam Jordan

Anderson

Jeannie

Babb

Jonathan

Baugh

Joshua

Booher

Simeon

Bruce

Robert Clay

Calhoun

Jeremy

Carlson

John

Church

Mercedes

Clements

Polk

Culpepper

Tucker

Dawson

Kellan

Day

Aelred

Dean

Ann

Fraser

Michelle

Fritch Ortiz

David

Goodpaster

Mike

Harber

Shari

Harrison

Melissa

Hartley

Les

Hegwood

Sarah

Hess

Derrick

Hill

Caroline

Holmes

Joyce

Holmes

The Rev. Dr. Deborah

Jackson

Murdock

Jones

Simion

Kinono

Paul

Klitzke

Scott

Lee

Claire

Makins

Frieda

Malcolm

Vance

Mann

The Rev'd Dr. Nancee

Martin

June

Mays

Malcolm

McLaurin

Malcolm

McLaurin

Sara

Milford

Madeleine

Parks

Molly

Payne-Hardin

Casey

Perkins

Hannah

Pommersheim

RJ

Powell

Mark

Richard

Polly

Robb

R. Stan

Runnels

Carol

Ruthven

Diana

Scheide

Ricardo

Sheppard

Molly

Short

Michele

Simmons

The Rev. Marie

Smith

Marion

Sprott-Goldson

Josh

Stephens

Paul

Stephens

Nathan

Stewart

Warren

Swenson

Bonnie

Underwood

Melinda

Valentine

Kenneth

Vinal

Becca

Walton

Randolph

West

Jane-Allison

Wiggin

Ian

Williams

Joe

Woodfin

Andrew

Wright

Note: Registered attendees listed above have provided express permission to have their names listed on this website.