Language and Liturgy Seminars

In February through April of 2021, the Institute hosted three virtual seminars that explored aspects of language and liturgy (which was to have been the theme of the 2021 in-person gathering). Recordings of the seminars are included below, and may be shared locally with congregations, committees, students, and colleagues for teaching and discussion. A list of additional resources related to each topic can be downloaded here.

“Holy God, Wholly Human: Language in Preaching and Worship”

Rev. Dr. Luke A. Powery • presenter

Dr. Zebulon M. Highben • moderator

Recorded on Thursday, February 18, 2021, this presentation considers liturgical and homiletical language for God and humanity, including issues surrounding gender, race, suffering, hope, death and resurrection.

“Poetry, Liturgy, and the Writer’s Craft”

Christian Wiman • presenter

Rev. Dr. Travis Scholl • moderator

Recorded on Saturday, March 13, 2021, this presentation invites careful and critical thinking about how language and liturgy intersect.

“Learning Lament: Crafting and Scheduling Laments for Communal Worship”

Dr. Gail Ramshaw • presenter

Rev. Liv Larson Andrews • moderator

Recorded on Tuesday, April 13, 2021, this presentation looks to the psalms, to liturgical tradition, and to current practices to suggest ways to incorporate more lament into our worship practices. The seminar was accompanied by a handout that can be downloaded here.