The Twenty-fourth Annual National Conference
A Future City, A New Creation: Equal on All Sides
Xavier University of Louisiana
New Orleans, LA
September 26-28, 2014
The Lilly Fellows Program in Humanities and the Arts National Conference for 2014 took place at Xavier University of Louisiana, 26-28 September. Xavier and New Orleans welcomed participants from National Network to engage in the powerful theme: "A Future City, A New Creation: Equal on All Sides."
The themecentered on the powerful meaning of theapocalyptic in Christian tradition, serving to communicate a vision of hope in the midst of urban crisis. The apocalypticrefers to the beyond, the already but not yet, the experience of the earth being transformed. The focus of this theme sought insight into the significance of the city relative to church related traditions; the coming of a future city. That city, unequal in its present form, implores deeper understanding, broadening dimensions, and creative visions that portray a hope at the center of “creation groaning to be released from corruption and to share in the glorious freedom of the children of God.” (Romans 8, 21)
Participating Scholars:
Dr. Monya Stubbs, PhD, Associate Professor of New Testament, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary kicked off the National Conference with her plenary address based upon her recently published book, Indebted Love: Paul's Subjection Language in Romans, which draws us into the situation and experience of those referred to as the other. She engaged participants in a re-reading of the biblical text from the perspective of victims that facilitates a deeper understanding of current questions that currently affect so many peoples living in the inner city.
The second plenary address given by Dr. Elijah Anderson Ph.D., William K. Lanman, Jr. Professor of Sociology, Yale University, focused on violence and racial disparities in urban society. He painted a powerful picture of the situation of those whose struggle for survival commands ongoing interest of society and the university. His recent work, The Cosmopolitan Canopy: Race and Civility in Everyday Life (2012) will serve to inform, influence, and strengthen perspectives corresponding to the theme.
The third plenary address was a presentation of the nationally acclaimed opera,Freedom Rides, composed by by Dr. Daniel Shore, Ph.D. (Music). Dr. John Ware, D.M.A.,Professor of Music and Director of Choirs, Xavier University of Louisiana, conducted this opera, which conveys the spirit, suffering, and emotion accompanying the struggle for justice in Urban America during the late 1960s.
On Sunday, September 28, the conference concluded with a panel discussion led by Phillip Linden of Xavier University. The plenary speakers fielded questions based upon the two talks and the opera.
More pictures from the conference are available here.
Debut of the R5 South African Art Exhibit:
Featured at the 2014 National Conference at Xavier University of Louisiana will be the national premiere of “R5 South Africa Art Exhibit,” presented in collaboration with Rachel Smith of Taylor University and Joel Carpenter of Calvin College. Rachel and Joel have worked with these artists and will bring these unbelievable art pieces for our appreciation. For more information, see the R5 Regional Conference website.
For more information about the National Conference, see Xavier University's conference website.