The 17th Seeds of Faith conference will be in Meridian February 17 – 19, 2012.
This conference will feature Amy-Jill Levine as the speaker, and will be held jointly with Congregation Beth Israel of Meridian. The two congregations jointly hosted the 2008 Seeds of Faith with Rabbi Lawrence Kushner.
Dr. Levine is University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies, E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Professor of New Testament Studies, and Professor of Jewish Studies at Vanderbilt University Divinity School and College of Arts and Sciences. Holding a B.A. from Smith College, M.A. and Ph.D. from Duke University and honorary doctorates from Drury University, the University of Richmond, and the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest (among others), Professor Levine has been awarded grants from the Mellon foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the American Council of Learned Societies. Her recent books include The Misunderstood Jew: the Church and the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus (HarperOne), and, along with Marc Brettler of Brandeis University, she has edited the Jewish Annotated New Testament (Oxford).
A self-described “Yankee Jewish feminist who teaches in a predominantly Christian divinity school in the buckle of the Bible belt,” Levine combines historical-critical rigor, literary-critical sensitivity, and a frequent dash of humor in a commitment to eliminating anti-Jewish, sexist, and homophobic theologies.
The weekend starts at 5:15 p.m. Friday, February 17 at Congregation Beth Israel, followed by Shabbat services at 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Marshall Klaven. Dr. Levine will introduce the conference topic. Saturday morning the event will move to the Episcopal Church of the Mediator for continental breakfast and continued registration from 8 a.m. until 9 a.m. The morning topics are: “Old Testament and Tanakh: How Jews and Christians Read Scripture Differently,” and “Do Jewish Ears Hear Jesus’ Parables?” Lunch is provided. The afternoon talk is: “The Passion Narrative: Jewish History and Christian Faith.” There will be ample breaks for refreshment and book signing. Sunday the event concludes with a question and answer session at the Mediator at 9:30, followed by Holy Eucharist with the homily by Dr. Levine.
The Church of the Mediator and Congregation Beth Israel hope you will not miss this opportunity to learn, be challenged and entertained. The cost for the entire conference is $65.00 per person, which includes the Friday night reception, continental breakfast and lunch Saturday, and all sessions of the conference. The Drury Inn has special rates for the event. Please see the Mediator web site, www.mediatormeridian.com, for a registration form, directions to all venues and information about the two congregations. In addition, on Thursday night preceding Seeds of Faith, Garrison Keillor will appear at the Riley Center. This is his last tour, so take advantage of being in Meridian and make it a long weekend. Ticket information can be found at www.msurileycenter.com.
Barbara Thomas is a communicant of the Church of the Mediator in Meridian.
