Events

The Coming of the Light

Communities of faith around the world mark earth’s regular passage from dark to light (and from light to dark in due season) with everything from pop-up solstice celebrations in cow pastures to ancient vespers services in great cathedrals. What is it about twilight that speaks to the human soul, and what spiritual challenges are hidden in this earthly give-and-take of natural light? These questions and more will be on the table when we meet in January to celebrate the Christian season of Epiphany, the season of growing light. If you plan to come early for dinner and a twilight organ concert by candlelight, be sure to register at https://onrealm.org/fpcnaples/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=Y2MwMWFmZmQtYTc2Yi00YjMxLWIyNGUtYjNhNjAxNWI3ZGEx

Website: https://www.fpcnaples.org/

Barbara will preach at Duke Chapel’s weekly interdenominational Sunday morning worship service, which begins at 11:00 am.

Website: https://chapel.duke.edu/

The theme for this year’s Thorne Sparkman Lenten lecture series is “Restoration of the Soul: Comfort, O Comfort My People.” Barbara will open the series on February 24 with a talk titled “Coming Down to Earth: Spiritual Grounding in Tumultuous Times.” The evening begins with Holy Eucharist at 5:15 pm and dinner at 5:45 pm, followed by the talk at 6:30 pm. This event is ticketed, so be sure to follow the link for details.

Website: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/thorne-sparkman-school-of-religion-2026-tickets-1980639863148?aff=oddtdtcreator

Barbara’s visit to campus begins on Monday, March 9, when she will be the guest preacher at campus worship from 6:00-7:00 pm in Butler Chapel. The service is free and open to the public. On Tuesday, March 10, she will deliver the annual Staley Lecture on the topic of her book Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others. This ticketed event in Hobson Auditorium is also open to the public but requires a $10 registration fee in advance, so please see the link for full details.

Website: https://campbell-emarketplace.paymytuition.com/staley-lecture-2

Barbara returns for the annual Lenten Preaching Series at Calvary Church (now in its 103rd year) and looks forward to joining Pádraig Ó Tuama and Marie Howe for a live podcast that evening from 6:15-7:15 pm in Calvary’s Great Hall. All events are free and open to the public.

Website: https://calvarymemphis.org/learn/lenten-preaching-series/

A signature event of Calvin University, the Festival of Faith and Writing has been held every other April since 1990, for readers of all faiths everywhere. Barbara will join a bevy of other speakers, including Robin Wall Kimmerer, Ross Gay, Eliza Griswold, and Aaliyah Bilal among many others. Tickets are required; check the website for details including the still-evolving schedule.

Website: https://ccfw.calvin.edu/festival-of-faith-and-writing