Understanding grief, unfinished business, forgiveness, and coping with loss are some of the topics that will be addressed in thoughtful and pastoral lectures and sermons during the three-day 2007 Festival of Theology at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, March 11-14. Louisville Seminary has used the theme of “Pastoral Care in Death and Dying” to assemble a group of notable teachers and preachers—experts in the field of pastoral theology and care—to explore the theological, philosophical, and practical dimensions of the reality of death and the care of self and others in times of death and loss.

The annual Festival of Theology is open to the public, and the endowed Greenhoe and Caldwell Lectureships enable Louisville Seminary to offer these outstanding learning experiences free of charge and to bring to Louisville, Ky., nationally recognized theologians, authors, teachers, and preachers. All lectures and preaching will take place in the Frank H. and Fannie W. Caldwell Chapel on the Seminary campus.

The 2007 Festival will feature:

Nicholas Wolterstorff, a preeminent teacher in philosophical theology and the Noah Porter Professor Emeritus of Philosophical Theology, and Fellow of Berkeley College, at Yale University. Wolterstorff is a prolific writer—among his publications are On Universals, Works and Worlds of Art, Art in Action, Until Justice and Peace Embrace, Reason within the Bounds of Religion, Divine Discourse, John Locke and the Ethics of Belief, Thomas Reid and the Story of Epistemology, Educating for Shalom, and Lament for a Son.

Understanding Grief - Monday, March 12, 7 p.m.

Living with Grief - Tuesday, March 13, 2:30 p.m.

Joretta L. Marshall, Professor of Pastoral Theology, Eden Theological Seminary. An ordained elder in the Methodist Church, she has particular concern for small and rural churches. She is a member in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC) and has worked with agencies, churches, individuals and families in seeking healing and wholeness. Her work in pastoral care and counseling focuses on issues of gender, sexuality, developmental theory, pedagogy in theological education and prophetic pastoral care.

Finitude and Unfinished Business - Monday, March 12, 10:30 a.m.

Forgiveness and Beyond - Tuesday, March 13, 11 a.m.

Dale P. Andrews, Martin Luther King Jr. Professor of Homiletics and Pastoral Theology, Boston University School of Theology. Previously Andrews served at LPTS (1998-2005). An ordained minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Andrews has served AME Zion churches in Connecticut and New Jersey. He is also the author of Practical Theology for Black Churches: Bridging Black Theology and African American Folk Religion and co-author of Listening to Listeners: Homiletical Case Studies.

Unbind the Dead (John 11:28-44) - Sunday, March 11, 7 p.m.

Asleep with Grief (Luke 22:39-46) - Tuesday, March 13, 9:30 a.m.

Lynn Gant March, a Louisville Seminary alumna (MDiv '81; DMin '87) and pastoral counselor in private practice. An ordained Presbyterian minister, she served more than 14 years at Louisville's Harvey Browne Memorial Presbyterian Church and has also held several interim pastoral positions in other Louisville congregations. Throughout her pastoral work, she has helped form many support groups and programs in congregations that have focused on cancer support for patients and caregivers, adults caring for aging relatives, women’s issues, grief, and remarried couples in blended family groups.

Life After Death: Getting Through Grief - Wednesday, March 14, 10 a.m.

In addition to the lectures and preaching, The Rev. Joan Gray, Moderator of the 217th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), will deliver her State of the Church address at the Moderator’s Dinner on Tuesday, March 13, at 6 p.m. Reservations are required for this dinner, and tickets may be requested by contacting Lisa Kolb (502.895.3411, or email: lkolb@lpts.edu)

The annual Festival of Theology is held in conjunction with the Louisville Seminary Alum Reunion, during which the Alum Association Board of Directors conducts its business. For a detailed schedule of events or to learn more about the speakers and preachers, visit the Festival webpage.

Louisville Seminary is located at 1044 Alta Vista Road, Louisville, Ky.