Webinars & Symposia

With the peculiar upheaval of COVID-19, and the recent, flagrant events of racist violence, what competencies are needed by institutional leadership? What does it mean to lead change in this moment of volatility? What courage is necessary? What approaches in higher education will bring new stability in a more equitable society? Dr. Nancy Lynne Westfield hosts Rev. Stephen Lewis (FTE - Forum for Theological Exploration) and Rev. Matthew Williams (Interdenominational Theological Center).

While the mission of theological education remains solid, the institutional turmoil has been exacerbated by the crisis of the pandemic.  These two prominent presidents will discuss the ramifications, implications and possibilities for seminaries during this societal upheaval.  Additionally, they will discuss the heightened uncertainty of the vocations of religion and theology scholars in the academy.  Dr. Nancy Lynne Westfield hosts Dr. Stephen G. Ray, Jr. (Chicago Theological Seminary) and Dr. Angela D. Sims (Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School).

In this time of uncertainty and grief, religious leaders need new and old imaginations to unleash the power of liturgy and sermons to heal, comfort, and inspire. What intellectual, spiritual and creative wells can be drawn upon to address the suffering of the people? Dr. Nancy Lynne Westfield hosts Dr. Lisa L. Thompson (Vanderbilt University) and Dr. Richard Voelz (Union Presbyterian Seminary).

Dr. Nancy Lynne Westfield hosts Dr. Marsha Foster Boyd (Luther Seminary) and Dr. Stephanie Crumpton (McCormick Theological Seminary). Pandemic, crisis, quarantine, homeschooling, working remotely, job loss, grief and sorrow - all experiences of stress, strain and struggle. This conversation will focus upon issues of care for the soul during this time of Covid19. What practices of self-care are needed in this moment?

Students are asking questions about the pandemic, the messages of the Bible, and faith during crisis. What does it mean to teach the Bible in ways that recognize contemporary crisis and opportunity?  Dr. Mitzi Smith (Columbia Theological Seminary) and Dr. Roger Nam (Portland Seminary) discuss their creative approaches to teaching biblical literature and interpretation during this pandemic.

Dr. Nancy Lynne Westfield hosts Dr. Emilie Townes (Vanderbilt University - The Divinity School) and Dr. Valerie Bridgeman (Methodist Theological School in Ohio).In crisis times, the creative voice speaks to the soul. The scholarly voice does not have to eclipse the creative voice. As published poets and scholars, these womanists will talk about their creative process and its influence upon their scholarship. They will also read original works.

This conversation with teachers who are artists (Dr. Ralph Basui Watkins, Columbia Theological Seminary, and Sophfronia Scott) will focus on ways to incorporate image and story into the learning plan and syllabus design. The dialogue will focus on ways storytelling can be an integral part of your course to enrich and enliven the student’s learning experience.

In these extraordinary times, spirituality and imagination are vital resources for teaching and the teaching life. This conversation with Willie Jennings (Yale University) and Amy Oden (Saint Paul School of Theology) will discuss spiritual formation and deformation, the role of the arts, and the use of creativity to sustain us through this time of uncertainty.