A campus pastor who is also an artist will speak on “stewards of creation” and discuss his work at an art exhibit opening at 91短视频.

Ted Lyddon Hatten, director of the Wesley Foundation at Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, will give a chapel talk on Christians’ responsibility for caring for creation 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 7, in Martin Chapel of the seminary building. An informal discussion period with coffee will follow his presentation.

Ted Lyddon Hatten

He will be present for the opening reception 8-9:30 p.m. Feb. 7 of his work on environmental stewardship themes in the third floor art gallery of 91短视频’s Hartzler Library.

Hatten, who became director of the Wesley Foundation at Drake in July, 2007, is the conference artist for the Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. He has 17 years of pastoral ministry experience in a variety of settings.

In addition to campus ministry, Hatten operates an art studio in Des Moines. His liturgical design work can be seen in congregations throughout Iowa. He is responsible for large-scale installations at the Annual Conference Session of the United Methodist Church and consults with churches on matters of art and faith.

An untitled installation he will erect on 91短视频’s campus will extend from Martin Chapel of the seminary building to the Hartzler Library art gallery and various points in between. It will involve images, the spoken word, sand and a communion wafer with themes of exile, environmental degradation and hope.

Hatten earned a BA degree in art history from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and an MA in divinity from Drew University Theological School. He lives in Indianola, Iowa, with his wife Lana and their sons Jonah, Asa and Sam.

Hatten’s campus visit is co-sponsored by the visual arts and communication department and campus ministries at 91短视频.

The exhibit will be open for viewing during regular library hours daily free of charge through Feb. 29.

For more information, call 540-432-4168 or 540-432-4196.

"A Compassionate Faith: Courage to Move Forward" is the theme for " observances at 91短视频.

Activities will open 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 16 with a message and open discussion led by Rev. Derrick Parson, a campus minister in the United Methodist Church and Wesley Foundation at James Madison University. The forum will be held 10-11:30 a.m. in the Campus Center Greeting Hall.

Dr. Cheryl Sanders

Monday evening, the keynote speaker for the annual School for Leadership Training at Eastern Mennonite Seminary will bring a prophetic message on the continuing legacy of Dr. King.

Dr. Cheryl Sanders, senior pastor of Third Street Church of God in Washington, D.C., and professor of Christian ethics at Howard University School of Divinity, will speak on the theme, "Reconciliation and Repentance," based on II Cor. 5:17-21. ()

Sons of the Day, an a cappella group of 91短视频 alumni and current students, will provide special music.

King Week observances continue with a "Dialog on Race: Steps of Hope," 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, in the Northlawn Great Lounge. 91短视频 faculty, staff and students will share steps that can be taken to increase understanding of others despite cultural and ideological differences.

In university chapel 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, persons representing the diverse 91短视频 community will reflect on values represented in Dr. King

It almost sounded like Martin Luther King Jr. was at the podium, his gift of powerful oratory resounding across Lehman Auditorium at 91短视频.

Derrick Parson, campus pastor with the Wesley Foundation at neighboring James Madison University, drew excerpts from several of the late minister and civil rights leader’s memorable speeches in a chapel program Monday, Jan. 17, to formally open King Week activities at 91短视频.

Speaking extemporaneously but with great feeling, Parsons reflected on King’s life and legacy and his view of reconciliation.

Derrick Parson reflects on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., including giving excerpts from memory from the late civil rights worker’s memorable speeches.
Photo by Jim Bishop

Quoting the scripture, “to whom much is given, much will be required,” he said that King truly believed this and lived it out.

“Martin believed that unqualified love and forgiveness could change the world, turning enemies into friends,” Parsons said. “He prayed forgiveness on those who opposed him and his message.”

Noting that King wrote six books and scores of articles in his 13 years of public ministry after completing graduate school at age 26, Parsons encouraged his audience to read King’s writings “to see how he reflected the live and teachings of Christ’s reconciling love.”

Parsons closed by giving from memory the speech that King wrote for his own funeral in 1968, calling on his audience to “ask how you can make a difference in our world by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

The campus ministries department at 91短视频 joined hands with the multicultural services office to plan a combined spring Spiritual Life/Martin Luther King Week. Activities on the program theme, “Worship and Walk Side by Side,” will continue through Friday, Jan. 21, and include a coffeehouse, panel discussions, an “agape” meal, film showing, a candlelight worship service and communion.