GREENVILLE, S.C.—Furman University will hold its “Engaging Faith” conference Friday, Feb. 25 (6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.) and Saturday, Feb. 26 (8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at Daniel Memorial Chapel.
The conference, “Thoughts, Words, and Deeds,” will explore the ways people think and talk about the Divine.
The speakers for the event are Alan W. Jones, Christian theologian, author and lecturer, and Lillian Daniel, host of “30 Good Minutes” on WTTW Chicago, and author and senior minister of the First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn.
Registration is required for the event. Full conference registration is $100. Friday evening-only or Saturday-only sessions are available.
The conference, held on the Furman campus for almost 50 years, draws clergy as well as lay persons. It is sponsored by Furman’s Office of the Chaplain and the NEXUS Center of Greenville.
Regarded as one of the most respected theologians of our time, Jones will speak from the book he’s writing about symbolic versus literal thinking. Daniel will address the ways people communicate about God and share their experiences.
Jones was the dean of the Episcopal Grace Cathedral in San Francisco from 1985 until January 2009. He previously served as the Stephen F. Bayne Professor of Ascetical Theology at the General Theological Seminary in New York City from 1972-1985. During his tenure at General, he founded and was the first director of the Center for Christian Spirituality at the seminary. A United States citizen, Jones was born in England and received his Ph.D. from the University of Nottingham. Jones is a prominent, international lecturer in Episcopalian and academic circles, and a prolific writer of books, articles and editorial opinions.
In 2004 Daniel became the senior minister of First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn, located in a western suburb of Chicago. Prior to her current role, she served eight years as senior minister of the Church of the Redeemer in New Haven, Conn. She is author of Tell It Like It Is: Reclaiming the Practice of Testimony. She is a frequent contributor to Christian Century magazine and writes for other preaching related periodicals. Daniel has written chapters for Anxious about Empire (Wes Avram, ed.) and From Nomads to Pilgrims: Stories from Practicing Congregations (Diana Butler Bass and Joseph Stewart-Sicking, eds.). Daniel is a frequent speaker and has taught preaching at Yale Divinity School and Chicago Theological Seminary where she serves on the board of trustees.
NEXUS Center is a spiritual connecting organization dedicated to cultivating spiritual awareness. Located in Greenville, NEXUS presents and promotes conferences, workshops and retreats appealing to people seeking a deeper connection to the Sacred.
For more information about the event or to register by phone, contact Susan Bennett at 864-294-2133 or susan.bennett@furman.edu.