Preachers | Waffle Shop | Parking
Audio | Wednesday Evening events
Forty years ago this spring, Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in downtown Memphis. Throughout the years that followed, people of different races and cultures found spiritual nourishment at the Lenten Preaching Series and great fellowship at the tables of the Waffle Shop, often crossing racial and denominational lines to be together. Come to the Lenten Series this year and take part in a living tradition that continues to shape the life of our beloved city!
—The Rev. Dr. Andrew MacBeth, Calvary’s Rector
For over eighty consecutive years during the season of Lent, Calvary Episcopal Church has hosted a preaching series featuring inspiring and diverse speakers. Through the Series, which is free and open to the public, Calvary provides numerous opportunities for spiritual renewal and growth, and a deeper relationship with God. The Series features dynamic local and national speakers from various denominations and faiths and takes place Mondays through Fridays from 12:05 to 12:40 p.m., beginning the Thursday after Ash Wednesday, and continuing through the Friday before Palm Sunday. Wednesday evening presentations also are offered from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., during the Series.
2008 Lenten Preaching Series
The year 2008 marks Calvary's 176th year of "Making God's Love Visible in Downtown Memphis," the 83rd year of sharing the Good News through the Lenten Noonday Preaching Series, and the 80th year of supporting our city's outreach ministries through the Waffle Shop.
FEBRUARY
7 and 8 Listen
PHYLLIS TICKLE & TONY JONES at 12:05 pm
The 2008 Lenten Preaching Series will open with thought-provoking discussions of the “Church Emergent” or “Emerging Church” with two of this country’s most respected and knowledgeable authors and commentators on religion, Phyllis Tickle & Tony Jones.
A brilliant storyteller and author of some two dozen books on religion and spirituality, Phyllis Tickle (Millington, TN) has special insight into how and what Americans believe. With her series of books The Divine Hours, and now The Night Offices, she is reconnecting Christians to each other and the holiness of their everyday lives through the ancient practice of fixed-hour prayer. Her books and lectures bring the subject of spirituality back to the table and into day-to-day conversation.
Tony Jones (Edina, MN) is the national coordinator of Emergent Village and a doctoral fellow in practical theology at Princeton Theological Seminary. He is the author of many books, including The New Christians: Dispatches from the Emergent Frontier and The Sacred Way: Spiritual Practices for Everyday Life, and he is a sought after speaker and consultant in the areas of emerging church, Christian spirituality, and ministry with teens.
FEBRUARY
11 and 12 at 12:05 pm Listen
DR. FRANK ANTHONY THOMAS
Memphis, TN
In demand as a preacher, speaker, lecturer, and revivalist, Dr. Thomas, an ordained minister and pastor for 26 years, is the Senior Pastor of Mississippi Boulevard Church, Memphis. Dr. Thomas regularly shares his gift of preaching in the Master of Divinity Program at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago. His first preaching method book, They Like to Never Quit Praisin’ God: The Role of Celebration in Preaching, was printed in 1997. He also has written What’s Love Got To Do With It? Love, Power, Sex, and God: The Workbook; Spiritual Maturity: Preserving Congregational Health and Balance; and many others.
FEBRUARY 13 and 14 at 12:05 pm Listen
EVENING EVENT: FEBRUARY 13 at 6:30 pm
THE REV. DR. JOHNNY RAY YOUNGBLOOD
St. Paul Community Baptist Church
Brooklyn, NY
Named one of the “ten most influential” New Yorkers by The New Yorker magazine, Dr. Youngblood and his vision have led to the tremendous growth and extensive ministry of St. Paul in Brooklyn, NY. Born in the state of Louisiana and reared in New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward, Dr. Youngblood has a strong commitment to spiritual healing, racial parity, social justice, and economic equity for all people. A consummate pastor, teacher, organizer, leader, and artist, Dr. Youngblood empowers and challenges people through socially relevant and intentional ministry with astounding results.
FEBRUARY 15 at 12:05 pm Listen
THE REV. EYLEEN FARMER
Calvary Episcopal Church
Memphis, TN
An eloquent and awe-inspiring Southern Baptist preacher turned Episcopal priest, Eyleen Farmer is an Associate Rector at Calvary Episcopal Church. She has an intentional ministry of inspiring young people to faith, a gift for finding the "gold" in any text, and the ability to invite listeners to growth of which they never dreamed. Although born in Colorado, the Rev. Farmer is a long-time Memphian with a background of compassion in local hospice care and a Master of Divinity degree from Vanderbilt University. She also has a Bachelor’s degree in history and a Master of Arts in Teaching, both from the University of Memphis, and recently participated in an intensive two-week immersion at St. George’s College in Jerusalem.
FEBRUARY 18-19 at 12:05 pm Listen
THE REV. DR. MAXIE D. DUNNAM
Chancellor, Asbury Theological Seminary
Wilmore, KY
Dr. Dunnam is a beloved former minister of Christ United Methodist Church. Following his retirement as President of Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky, Dr. Dunnam began his service as the Chancellor of Asbury Seminary. In this position, he travels extensively in this country and around the world but maintains a home in Memphis. Dunnam remains active in the Emmaus Community of spiritual renewal and is the author of many books including his widely used Workbook on Prayer.
FEBRUARY 20-21 at 12:05 pm Listen
EVENING EVENT: FEBRUARY 20 at 6:30 pm
THE RT. REV. DUNCAN GRAY
Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi
A native of Mississippi and the son and grandson of former Bishops of Mississippi, Bishop Gray has challenged the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi to a deeper faithfulness with a series of teachings and program initiatives that encourage “out of the box thinking” when addressing the challenges of the church in a post modern era. His vision is “One Church in Mission: Inviting, Transforming, Reconciling.” His degree in English, Master of Divinity, Doctor of Ministry, and expansive experience in the national leadership of the Episcopal Church make him a master of the spoken and written word and a thought-provoking preacher.
FEBRUARY 22 at 12:05 pm Listen
THE REV. DR. GINA STEWART
Christ Missionary Baptist Church
Memphis, TN
A model for many of women’s leadership in the Church, Gina Stewart combines a passion for the Gospel with deep sympathy for people. Her gifted and spirited preaching makes people want to jump up and praise the Lord. As the first African-American woman elected to serve as pastor of a Baptist congregation in Shelby County, Dr. Stewart has led Christ Missionary Baptist Church’s remarkable membership growth. Dr. Stewart is currently enrolled at Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia, where she is pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree.
FEBRUARY 25-26 at 12:05 pm Listen
RABBI MICAH GREENSTEIN
Temple Israel
Memphis, TN
A brilliant and caring preacher/teacher, not-to-be-missed Micah Greenstein packs the house at the Lenten Series. The Senior Rabbi of Temple Israel and one of Memphis’ most significant leaders, Greenstein’s compassion and vast knowledge of Judaism and Christianity lend a different perspective to our Lenten practices. Greenstein teaches future ministers representing 27 different Protestant denominations at the Memphis Theological Seminary and was the first Rabbi ever to speak in the Lenten Series.
FEBRUARY 27-28 at 12:05 pm Listen
EVENING EVENT: FEBRUARY 27 at 6:30 pm
THE RT. REV. JON BRUNO
Bishop, The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, CA
A former police officer in the city of Burbank, California as well as a former NFL football player, Bishop Bruno has called Los Angeles Episcopalians to be people of mission for the Christian faith. In the Diocese of Los Angeles, the Eucharist is celebrated in at least 11 different languages each Sunday. Bishop Bruno’s call to mission encourages lay persons and clergy alike to “plan and prepare for God’s service, work for abundance, and care for the community as we would care for Jesus.”
FEBRUARY 29 at 12:05 pm Listen
THE REV. DR. MITZI MINOR
Memphis Theological Seminary
Memphis, TN
Dr. Minor, a Professor of the New Testament at Memphis Theological Seminary and an ordained Cumberland Presbyterian Minister, teaches students how they might read and interpret the New Testament with integrity and encourages them to allow their lives and the New Testament readings to intersect. Dr. Minor is a well-known lecturer and is the author of many books including The Power of Mark’s Story and the soon-to-be published Second Corinthians in the Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary Series. The focus of her professional life and ministry is the intersection of Holy Scripture and our spiritual lives.
MARCH
3-4 at 12:05
pm Listen
THE REV. DR. DANIEL P. MATTHEWS
Rector Emeritus of Trinity Church
New York, NY
Dan Matthews is one of the Lenten Series’ perennial favorites. His feisty and inspirational stories give great insight into the role of a Christian and leave listeners on the edge of their seats. Since 1972, the hallmark of Dr. Matthews’ work has been concentrated in larger, inner-city parishes, but he also has played a major role in bringing together faith groups and clergy through the Hallmark Television Channel, the Clergy Leadership Project, and the publication of Spirituality and Health. For years the rector of Trinity, Wall Street, in New York City, Matthews played a major role in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, as an apostle for hope and healing in lower Manhattan as the district sought to rebuild itself.
MARCH 5 at 12:05 pm Listen
EVENING EVENT: MARCH 5 at 6:30 pm
THE REV. DR. ROY STAUFFER
Memphis, TN
The Senior Minister at Lindenwood Christian Church for 35 years, Dr. Stauffer has lived out the “practical theology” that he taught to Memphis Theological Seminary Students in “The Minister at Work.” Also an instructor in “Preaching Contemporary Issues,” Dr. Stauffer brings balance to the challenges of Christianity with the compassion of Christianity, encouraging and invigorating congregations to walk with Christ. Dr. Stauffer’s work in the ecumenical community has led him to have been awarded the Freedom Foundation Award, Ecumenist of the Year in Tennessee, and the Community Service Award for Inter-Religious Goodwill.
MARCH 6-7 at 12:05 pm Listen
THE REV. BARBARA K. LUNDBLAD
Union Theological Seminary
New York, NY
Barbara Lundblad’s remarkable and passionate preaching places her in great demand as a guest preacher in congregations across the country and at ecumenical preaching conferences. Her teaching interests include preaching in partnership with the congregation, preaching and social transformation, new forms of preaching, and preaching as an integral part of worship. From her conference with African-American preachers titled, “Preaching is Like Singing the Blues,” to classes such as, “City as Preaching Mentor,” Lundblad’s preaching and teaching leads to transformed lives.
MARCH 10-11 at 12:05 pm Listen
THE REV. DR. ALVIN O. JACKSON
Senior Pastor, Park Avenue Christian Church
New York, NY
Dynamic former Senior Pastor of Memphis’ Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, Dr. Jackson became Senior Pastor of Park Avenue Christian Church in 2006. When he left MBCC in 1998, it had a participating membership of over 7,800, making it the largest Disciples congregation in the U.S. and Canada. A forceful and inspiring preacher, he has provided courageous and energetic public vision and leadership for all of the congregations he has served.
MARCH 12 at 12:05 pm
THE REV. VAL HANDWERKER Listen
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Memphis, TN
A native Memphian, Father Handwerker was ordained a priest for the Roman Catholic Diocese in 1974. Since 2000, he has been Rector of the Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Among his varied ministerial assignments, he was an organizer for the citizens' organization SCI (Shelby County Interfaith, an affiliate of the Industrial Areas Foundation). Calvary Church has worked among the more than 50 racially and ecumenically-diverse congregations in Memphis in this organization for political change especially in mid-city Memphis.
MARCH
13-14 at 12:05 pm
DR. MARCUS J. BORG Listen
MARCH 12 Evening Event cancelled.
All are invited to attend the Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church Worship Service to end violence in our city.
Learn more.
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR
The 2008 Lenten Preaching Series will close with three dynamic presentations by renowned “Jesus Scholar” and author Marcus Borg. With the highest of national and international credits, Borg’s deep concern for God’s justice is reflected in all of his published works and lectures. His remarkable memory, love of travel, and sense of humor flavor the presentation of his groundbreaking new approaches to traditional biblical work. An extraordinarily thoughtful human being, Borg’s depth of knowledge and grasp of spirituality and religion provides much to ponder.
The Lenten Noonday Preaching Series is planned and presented in association with clergy from First Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, Lauderdale, Idlewild Presbyterian Church,Trinity Lutheran Church.