Nadia
Bolz-Weber, a New York Times bestselling author and ordained Lutheran pastor,
will speak in Staples Auditorium on the campus of Hendrix College Monday, Nov.
3, at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
She
will also serve as a featured leader of this year’s John and Marjem Gill
Preaching Workshop, which begins earlier in the day on Nov. 3 and concludes
Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 4. Visit www.hendrix.edu/gillworkshop for
more information or to register.
Bolz-Weber
is the creator and host of The Confessional podcast;
author of The
Corners on Substack; and has written three bestselling
memoirs: Pastrix: The Cranky, Beautiful Faith Of A Sinner & Saint (2013 and
re-released in 2021), Accidental Saints: Finding God In All The Wrong People
(2015) and SHAMELESS: A Sexual Reformation (2019).
Bolz-Weber’s
visit is co-sponsored by the Compelling Preaching Initiative (CPI), which is funded
by a grant from Lilly Endowment and administered by the Methodist Foundation
for Arkansas. CPI seeks to build the capacity for bold, innovative preaching
within Arkansas United Methodist clergy to transform churches and communities.
It is co-sponsored by the Hendrix College Office of Religious Life and its John and Marjem Gill
Preaching Workshop, which since 1984 has aimed to strengthen the United
Methodist Church by enhancing clergy’s ability to proclaim the gospel in ways
that are relevant to the needs of our time, and to enhance dialogue and
fellowship among clergy colleagues.
“We are so grateful for the
vision and generosity of John and Marjem Gill who, over 40 years ago, took the
step of providing for this preaching workshop which continues to touch
thousands of lives through preachers and communities of faith from across our
region,” said Chaplain of Hendrix College the Rev. Ellen Alston. “The
partnership with the Compelling Preaching Initiative offers enhanced opportunities for these two days to
spend with an amazing preacher and leader like Nadia Bolz-Weber, while
deepening connections with peers for support and community in faith leadership
and witness.”
“I
am so excited that Nadia Bolz-Weber will be at Hendrix College,” said Methodist
Foundation for Arkansas President and CEO the Rev. Wayne Clark. “I hope
everyone—lay and clergy—will take advantage of this gifted and inspirational visitor
coming to the area. She will be one of those rare speakers you will reference
for many years and get to say you saw in person.”
About Hendrix College
Founded in 1876, Hendrix
College is featured in Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change
the Way You Think About Colleges and celebrated among the country’s leading
liberal arts colleges for academic quality, engaged learning opportunities and
career preparation, vibrant campus life, and value. The Hendrix College
Warriors compete in 21 NCAA Division III sports. Hendrix has been affiliated
with the United Methodist Church since 1884. Learn more at www.hendrix.edu.
“…
Through engagement that links the classroom with the world, and a commitment to
diversity, inclusion, justice, and sustainable living, the Hendrix community
inspires students to lead lives of accomplishment, integrity, service, and
joy.” –Hendrix College Statement of Purpose
About Lilly Endowment
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an
Indianapolis-based private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly and his
sons, Eli and J.K. Jr., through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical
business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock
of the Endowment, the Endowment is a separate entity from the company, with a
distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with its founders’
wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education
and religion. The Endowment funds programs throughout the United States,
especially in the field of religion, and maintains a special commitment to its
founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.
About the Methodist Foundation for Arkansas
With a mission to establish and manage charitable
funds to strengthen and expand Methodist ministries across Arkansas, the
Methodist Foundation for Arkansas manages over $220 million in endowment funds
and other charitable assets that benefit local churches and other United
Methodist ministries. Founded in 1963, the Foundation has grown into one of the
largest United Methodist foundations in the country, managing more than 800
funds that support Methodist ministries. To learn more, visit methodistfoundationAR.org.