You reached this page through the archive. Click here to return to the archive.

Note: This article is over a year old and information contained in it may no longer be accurate. Please use the contact information in the lower-left corner to verify any information in this article.

Conference on Worship, Theology and the Arts, July 14-18

By Val Veo 05
June 30, 2003

The 2003 St. Olaf College conference on worship, theology and the arts, held on the St. Olaf campus from July 14 to 18, will explore the theme "Blessed is the Ordinary," examining ways in which God is made known to us through the commonplace, routine experiences of life. The conference, held annually at St. Olaf since 1955, features a faculty of nationally recognized theologians, scholars, musicians and artists, each of whom will contribute their own unique perspective on the ?ordinary.?

"We spend much time thinking and planning worship for important festival days in the church," says Janet Kringen Thompson, a 1970 St. Olaf alumna and director of church relations for the college. "But, the reality is that most of our time is spent in the ?ordinary.? This conference helps church leaders, pastors, artists and musicians think about ways in which they can touch the hearts and souls of their congregations by planning worship that lifts up the normal, regular Sunday worship service."

The conference offers plenary sessions and special interest seminars with numerous St. Olaf faculty and staff, as well as visiting faculty that includes Dr. Kristen Kvam, associate professor of Theology at Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Mo.; Richard Wallace, an ordained pastor of the ELCA and a member of the Association for Theological Field Education and the ELCA-affiliated Conference of International Black Lutherans; Alice Parker, composer, conductor, and lecturer; Jerry Evenrud, independent consultant on music and the arts, curator of the ELCA Churchwide Center Art Collection; Mary Louise (Mel) Bringle, professor of philosophy and religion and chair of the humanities division at Brevard College in North Carolina; Philip A. Quanbeck II, associate professor of religion and chair of the religion department at Augsburg College; Jeff Reeves, music and literary editor at the Choristers Guild; and James P. Wind, president of the Alban Institute.

The general public is invited to participate in the daily morning and evening worship services, each held in Boe Memorial Chapel. Services are as follows:

* Monday, July 14: The opening worship service is at 1:30 p.m., with Rev. Richard Wallace, professor at Luther Seminary and member of the Association for Theological Field Education and the ELCA-affiliated Conference of International Black Lutherans, preaching. Evening worship features Compline services at 8:30 p.m.

* Tuesday, July 15: Worship is at 8:15 a.m. Richard Wallace preaches and the adult women?s choir will sing. Evening worship features the Holden Evening Prayer, at 8:30 p.m.

* Wednesday, July 16: Worship at 8:15 a.m. Richard Wallace preaches and the Adult Mixed Voice, Teen and Brass Choirs will perform. At 8:45 p.m., a concert of organ duets features St. Olaf music faculty member Catherine Rodland and her husband, organist Brian Carson.

* Thursday, July 17: Worship at 8:15 a.m. St. Olaf College President Rev. Dr. Christopher Thomforde will preach and the Adult Women?s and Bell Choirs will perform. Evening worship at 8:30 p.m. features the Lutheran Book of Worship Evening Prayer, and the Treble and Handbell Choir will perform.

* Friday, July 18: Worship at 10:45 a.m. Richard Wallace will preach, and the Adult Mixed Voice, Teen, Handbell and Brass choirs will perform.

For more information, to register or obtain a complete schedule of conference events and faculty, click here or call the St. Olaf Office of Church Relations at (507) 646-3472.

Contact Carole Engblom at 507-786-3271 or leigh@stolaf.edu.