Past Events and Lectures (2020/2021) July 7: Merton on My Mind Wednesday, Jul 7th 12:00 pm Sophfronia Scott shares her deep dive into the journals of Trappist monk Thomas Merton, which inspired her new book The Seeker and the Monk. June 2: Raising Kids for a Just World Wednesday, Jun 2nd 12:00 pm Lydia Wylie-Kellermann and her father Bill discuss her new book about loving kids and fighting for justice spanning multiple generations. May 5: Publishing for Christian Writers Wednesday, May 5th 12:00 pm Agent, editor, and writer Jevon Bolden joins author Ellie Roscher in a discussion about the business of Christian publishing. April 28: The Jubilee Promise: Biblical Solutions to the Global COVID-19 Crisis Wednesday, Apr 28th 12:00 pm Join Eric LeCompte, Executive Director of Jubilee USA Network, for a conversation about how the biblical theme of Jubilee can apply to pandemic response worldwide. April 21: Three Collegeville Institute Poets Wednesday, Apr 21st 12:00 pm Celebrate National Poetry Month with a reading by three poets affiliated with the Collegeville Institute. Award-winning poets Angela Alaimo O’Donnell, Shann Ray, and Betsy Johnson will read from their recent collections. April 14: Jazz for the Soul: The Life and Music of Mary Lou Williams Wednesday, Apr 14th 12:00 pm Deanna Witkowski will read excerpts from her forthcoming biography about Mary Lou Williams and perform live selections from her recent album. March 31: Islamic Teachings on Jesus: Prophet, Messiah, and Son of Mary Wednesday, Mar 31st 12:00 pm Imam Tamim Saidi explores Christian and Muslim teachings about Jesus in conversation with Dr. Marty Stortz. March 17: Christ’s Body in The Saint John’s Bible: A Lenten and Easter Reflection Wednesday, Mar 17th 12:00 pm Focusing on illuminations from The Saint John’s Bible, Susan Sink will use Sandra Schneiders’ book Jesus Risen in our Midst as a lens for understanding Jesus’ resurrection and post-resurrection appearances in the Gospel of John. March 10: Benedictine Monasticism as a Way of Life: Its Origins and Future Wednesday, Mar 10th 12:00 pm For centuries, the Rule of Benedict has been the foundation for sustainable Christian communities. This presentation will explore the key elements of the Rule with an emphasis on their perennial relevance. March 3: Telling Refugee Stories Wednesday, Mar 3rd 12:00 pm Authors Kao Kalia Yang and Jessica Goudeau will read from and discuss their recent books about refugees resettled in Minnesota and Texas. February 17: All Ashes are Not the Same Wednesday, Feb 17th 12:00 pm Join Heidi Neumark on Ash Wednesday to reflect on what it means for Christians to be marked with the cross, with or without ashes, this year. February 10: Anti-racism and the Catholic Church Wednesday, Feb 10th 12:00 pm Dr. Tia Noelle Pratt will discuss her ethnographic research on race and identity in the African American Catholic experience, the genesis of her #BlackCatholicSyllabus, and the importance of centering and listening to Black voices in the Church. February 3: Metaphor as a Tool for Discernment Wednesday, Feb 3rd 12:00 pm Virtual Event How do individuals and churches collectively discern what choices to make? And how can metaphors, such as pottery, help with the process? January 27: The Threads of Vocation: saint benedict’s table Weaving Project Wednesday, Jan 27th 12:00 pm Virtual Event Rev. Rachel Twigg Boyce from saint benedict’s table shares how her congregation uses the metaphor of weaving to explore callings. January 13: Bonhoeffer and Our Moral Selves in History Wednesday, Jan 13th 12:00 pm Virtual Event Join Bonhoeffer scholar Victoria J. Barnett to consider our moral responsibility in times of deep racial, economic, and political divisions. January 6: From Parties to Policy: Asset Based Community Development Wednesday, Jan 6th 12:00 pm Virtual Event In this virtual event, De’Amon Harges and Mike Mather will share stories and reflections on what they have learned in the church and community across their 20 year friendship.