Established in 1986, the lecture benefits the Absalom Jones Scholarship fund, named for the Episcopal Church's first black priest, which provides assistance for African American students attending EDS and preparing for ordination in the church.

This year's speaker, the Rev. Dr. Harold Lewis, will lecture on Jones as "An Icon of Inclusivity." Lewis will also preach at the 8:30 a.m. Eucharist on February 14, and the Rt. Rev. Barbara C. Harris, retired suffragan bishop of Massachusetts, will serve as celebrant.

Serving as rector of Calvary Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Lewis is the author of several publications, including "Yet With a Steady Beat: the African American Struggle for Recognition in the Episcopal Church," "Christian Social Witness," and "Elijah's Mantle: Pilgrimage, Politics, and Proclamation." He is also a musician, and has written hymns which have appeared in "Lift Every Voice and Sing II: An African American Hymnal," "Wonder, Love, and Praise," and "This Far by Faith." In 1992, Lewis wrote "Blessed Absalom" (#44 in Lift Every Voice and Sing, II), in dedication to Jones.

"Absalom Jones was known for his struggle for freedom and subsequent anti-slavery work, being a gentle and compassionate minister, his civic development of the African American Community, and his humanitarianism," explained the Rev. Karen Montagno, dean of Student and Community Life. "This is why it is important that we continue to recognize such a key figure in the timeline of the Episcopal Church."

Past lecturers have included: the Rev. Alfred Moss, Jr. '68 (1987), the Rt. Rev. Barbara Harris '89 (1989, 1995), the Rev. Canon Ed Rodman '67 (1994), Archbishop Desmond Tutu (2002), the Rt. Rev. Gayle Harris (2004), the Rt. Rev. Michael Curry (2005), and the Rev. Gloria White Hammond (2006).

Kellogg Lecture
The Rev. Canon Marilyn McCord Adams, Episcopal priest and Regius Professor of Divinity at Oxford University, will speak at EDS May 1-2 as its 2008 Kellogg lecturer.

The Kellogg lecture series is held each spring in conjunction with EDS Alumni/ae Days.  It was established by the late Rev. Frederic Brainerd Kellogg '37 in memory of his father, Frederic Rogers Kellogg, a distinguished lawyer who was founder and first president of the National Community Chest of America. Upon the death of her son in 1958, Frederic Rogers Kellogg continued the lectureship on a permanent basis as a memorial to her son and husband.

During the two-day series, Adams will deliver three keynote addresses: "Horrors" on May 1 at 10:15 a.m.; "Christ" at 2 p.m.; and "Holiness" on May 2 at 10 a.m.

An accomplished author and speaker, Adams has written several books including "Christ and Horrors: The Coherence of Christology," "Wrestling for Blessing," "Horrendous Evils and the Goodness of God," and "The Problem of Evil."

At the Episcopal Church's Chicago Consultation in early December 2007, Adams spoke out against homophobia in her paper, "Shaking the Foundations: LGBT Bishops and Blessings in the Fullness of Time" stating that "homophobia is a sin whose end time is now."

For more information on either event email Priscilla Burns at pburns@eds.edu or call 617-682-1506. Both events are handicap accessible. Participants are encouraged to take public transportation as parking is limited. There is a $10 charge for parking in the EDS lot.