Saint Mark is pleased to have with us as our presenter for Faith Dialogues this year, Dr. Barbara Lundblad. She is a noted Lutheran preacher and theologian, and has taught preaching at Union Theological Seminary in New York. Dr. Lundblad has been a strong advocate for the inclusion of LGBTQ persons in the church.

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Faith Dialogues will begin with her lecture on Friday evening, November 16 at 7:00 PM on Jesus Would Bake the Cake: A Christian Case for Sexual Justice. In 2015 the Supreme Court declared gay marriage to be legal in the United States. In 2009 the ELCA voted to affirm the ordination of partnered LGBT people. Almost 300 LGBT people have been ordained as pastors or are now in seminary. Yet, we know there is still much to be done and there are challenges to these decisions. Dr. Lundblad will invite us to see how the Holy Spirit is leading the Church to be truly welcoming in the midst of a shifting culture. Cake will surely follow.

On Saturday morning, November 17, Dr. Lundblad will give two presentations. Everyone is invited to both of these but the earlier presentation will be geared more for clergy. At these presentations, Dr. Lundblad will share from her particular area of expertise: homiletics. The 9:00 AM session is entitled Preaching in a Polarized Society which speaks to the challenge of proclaiming the Gospel in a culture that is very divided politically. Goodies will be served between 10:30 and 11:00 AM.

The second session starting at 11:00 AM is What Do I Expect from a Sermon? Part of Dr. Lundblad’s presentation is how to give feedback to the pastor for his or her sermon. Personally, I don’t mind the feedback, “Nice sermon, Pastor” now and then, but Dr. Lundblad thinks that maybe we should take it to the next level. I look forward to what she has to say.

Dr. Lundblad will also preach on November 18th and lead the forum at 9:45am.