Black Women and the Challenge of God Talk in the 21st Century

Trailblazers is an annual celebration of Union’s Black Alumni/ ae that began in 2004. This year, Union will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the publication of the groundbreaking work, “Sisters in the Wilderness”, by Dr. Delores S. Williams, Paul Tillich Professor Emerita of Theology and Culture.

Into the wilderness of contemporary church and society, Dr. Delores S. Williams—known as a founding foremother of Womanist theology—is still speaking a prophetic word for such a time as this.

In our modern-day wilderness fraught with injustice, mistrust, disparity, and deep divisions around race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, economics, politics, and religion-fueled by the evils of white supremacy and male superiority —Dr. Williams’s pioneering work dares to affirm and impart “survival strategies that [black women] have used to keep the community alive and hopeful.”

As 2018 marks the 25th anniversary of Dr. Williams’s groundbreaking work, Sisters in the Wilderness—the 2018 Trailblazers Planning Committee and Union Theological Seminary invites you to a one-day conference celebrating Dr. Williams’s work and legacy toward rekindling life and hope for today’s “Sisters in the Wilderness.”

The conference, Beyond the Temple Door There is No Promised Land: Black Women and Challenge of God Talk in the 21st Century, will feature throughout the day as speakers and workshop leaders such noted Womanist theologians as the Rev. Dr. Joy Bostic, the Rev. Dr. JoAnne Marie Terrell, Dr. Anne Elliott, the Rev. Dr. Leslie Callahan, Dr. Dianne M. Stewart, the Rev. Dr. Kimberleigh Jordan, and Dr. Teresa Delgado. A closing panel, moderated by the Rev. Kym McNair, will include the Rev. Dr. Katie G. Cannon, and the Rev. Dr. Eboni Marshall Turman.

So, join us in drinking deeply of Dr. Williams’ fount of Womanist Wisdom, as celebrated by those who continue to be trailblazers toward a future of survival and hope.

Event registration closes on Wednesday, February 21. No refunds for canceled registrations will be granted after the February 21 deadline. On-site registration will be available on the day of the conference.

Click here to RSVP

Union Students Must RSVP through link in student digest

Schedule:

8:00 – 9:00 am: Continental Breakfast
9:00 – 9:45 am: Opening/Welcoming Ritual
10:00 – 11:00 am: Opening Plenary
11:00 am – 12:00 pm: Session I (choose one)

• Workshop 1: Beyond Survival
• Workshop 2: Black Motherhood
• Workshop 3: Black Women and the Arts

12:15 – 1:15 pm: Lunch
1:30 – 2:30 pm: Session II (choose one)

• Workshop 1: Is Liberation Enough?
• Workshop 2: Black Women in the Church
• Workshop 3: Loving God, Loving Sex, Loving Ourselves

2:45 – 4:30 pm: Closing Panel