SMC Holding Faith and Worship Symposium on April 14

02/11/11

Spartanburg --- Spartanburg Methodist College will host a Faith and Worship Symposium for church leaders on April 14.

The symposium will provide an opportunity for dialogue on worship that spans from the ancient practices of the Orthodox faith to the contemporary practices of today. 0.5 CEUs will be offered through the Spartanburg District of the United Methodist Church to those who complete the Symposium.

The cost of the symposium, which begins at 9 am in SMC's Davis Mission Chapel, is $25 and includes lunch. There will be three breakout sessions offered, however each participant will choose only two to attend.

Frederica Mathewes-Green will lecture and conduct a breakout session on worship in the Orthodox tradition. Ms. Mathewes-Green is a prolific author and speaker. A native of Charleston, S.C. she received a BA in English from the University of South Carolina and a MA in Theological Studies from Virginia Episcopal Seminary. Her husband, Father Gregory Mathewes-Green is the founding pastor of Holy Cross Orthodox Church near Baltimore. Ms Mathewes-Green is the "Khouria," or "Mother," of the parish.

Don Saliers will lecture and conduct a breakout session on what has become known as "traditional" worship. Dr. Saliers is the William R. Cannon Distinguished Professor of Theology and Worship , Emeritus. A graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University (BA, 1959) and Yale University (BD, 1962 and PhD, 1967), Dr. Saliers has written many books in the area of worship.

Jennifer Williams will lead a breakout session on moving from "traditional" to "contemporary" worship. An Elder in the South Carolina United Methodist Annual Conference, Ms. Williams is a graduate of University of Richmond and Duke Divinity School. She is the planter of the Ashley Ridge Church in Summerville, SC.

"As churches explore ways to reach out to a younger generation, many find there is tension between those who want to keep things as they have 'always been' and those who want to try something 'new.' We hope that this symposium will offer pastors and church leaders an opportunity to explore the essentials of worship with our speakers and with one another." says SMC chaplain Candice Sloan.

SMC offers a symposium each spring for discussion of current topics related to faith and society.

"We anticipate that between the lectures and the breakout sessions, pastors and worship leaders will have plenty of opportunities to discuss their situations and gain assistance from the collective wisdom." adds Sloan

She adds that holding such symposiums both maintains and strengthens the college's relationship with the UMC and also that of local church leaders.

"For 100 years SMC has served the church and community through the education of young people. The Symposium on Faith and Worship is an opportunity for us to extend that mission by assisting the church in its outreach to a younger generation." she comments.

For more information and to register for the symposium, you can visit www.smcsc.edu/symposium or contact SMC chaplain Candice Sloan at (864) 587-4282 or sloanc@smcsc.edu

Spartanburg Methodist College is in its 100th academic year of providing quality education to students in a Christian environment. More than 90 percent of SMC graduates continue their education at other institutions of higher learning.