Wake Forest University School of Divinity is pleased to announce our Spring 2022 speaker events. The Why Religion? and Why Church? events are free and open to the public. Join us as we explore major theological questions with top scholars and experts from across the nation.
This event is part of the Elizabeth and Robert Strickland Speaker Series on Religion. The Strickland Series brings religion scholars and distinguished religious professionals to speak on campus.
This event is open to the public. Registration is encouraged by not required.
March 31, 2022 | 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. | Wait Chapel
Elaine Pagels
Faculty at Princeton University, National Book Award winner, and New York Times bestselling author
Topic: Why Religion?: A Personal Story
Why does religion still exist in the twenty-first century? And why do so many people—even, and especially, those who challenge religion—continue to argue about the questions it raises? What purpose does it serve in our lives? These questions took on a new urgency for Pagels when she was dealing with unimaginable loss: the death of her young son, followed a year later by the shocking loss of her husband.
This series invites us to consider the question: “Why Church? These distinguished guests will address the matter of public witness and leadership from a range of historical, legal, and theological perspectives.
Events are open to the public. Registration is encouraged by not required.
This series invites Wake Divinity students to engage faith leaders from a variety of contexts around the question: “Why God?” Our guests will explore the vital contributions that religious leaders can make to issues of public concern. Dinner and conversation will be held, weather permitting, in the outdoor tent on Davis Field. In the case of inclement weather, these events will be held in Divinity and Religious Studies Building room 302. Sponsored by the Lilly Endowment Clergy in Community grant program.
This is event is for Wake Divinity students only. Registration is required.
March 16, 2022 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Jay Augustine
Senior Pastor of St. Joseph AME Church in Durham, NC and Visiting Assistant Professor of Law at North Carolina Central University School of Law
Topic: The role of religious leadership in advancing civil rights and racial reconciliation in both church and society
This is event is for Wake Divinity students only. Registration is required.
March 23, 2022 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Jessica Stokes
Associate Director of Partners in Health and Wholeness, North Carolina Council of Churches
Topic: The role of faith communities in fostering holistic health amidst disparities in access to healthy food, medical care, and mental health support
This is event is for Wake Divinity students only. Registration is required.
March 30, 2022 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Daynette Snead Perez
Domestic Disaster Response Manager for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
Topic: The vital role congregations play in responding to and educating communities about domestic disasters
This is event is for Wake Divinity students only. Registration is required.