On Wednesdays this Lent, a group of lay leaders at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church – Stephenville, Texas, who also teach at Tarleton State University, will offer reflections on the integration of their faith and academic disciplines.
Beginning February 20, the Lenten series will begin at 5:30pm with Taize meditative music. At 6pm, Holy Eucharist with Unction. At 6:30pm, soup supper. At 7pm, a lecture. The evening will close with the Way of the Cross at 7:45pm.
The topics and speakers:
February 20: “God and Politics” by Dr. Malcolm Cross. Malcolm is the department head and professor of Social Sciences at Tarleton. He holds a B.A. from Carleton College, an M.S. and PhD. from the University of Missouri. In addition to his duties at Tarleton and as a lay reader at St. Luke’s, Malcolm serves on the Stephenville City Council.
February 27: “Jesus and the Economy” by Mr. Bill Beaty. Bill is a recently retired assistant professor of Economics at Tarleton. He holds a B.A. from Tarleton State University and an M.A. from Utah State University. Bill and his wife, Sandy, who teaches English at Tarleton, are longtime members of St. Luke’s.
March 6: “God and Evolution” by Dr. Phil Sudman. Phil’s primary interests are in the general areas of vertebrate evolution, systematics, and conservation biology. He holds a B.A. from Central University of Iowa, an M.S. from Fort Hays State University, and a PhD. from Texas A&M University. Phil and his wife, Dianne, were married at St. Luke’s, and are active in several different ministries. He serves as the faculty advisor for Tarleton’s Episcopal Campus Ministry.
March 13: “Jesus and Other Religions” by Dr. Matt Hallgarth. Matt is an associate professor of Philosophy and Religion at Tarleton. He and his wife, Leslie, and their three children are members of St. Luke’s. Matt fills in as a lay preacher from time-to-time, and is an avid badminton player. He holds a B.A. from Baylor University, an M.A. from the University of Oklahoma, and a PhD. from the University of Florida.
March 20: “Jesus and Food” by Dr. Jane Dennis. Jane is a retired associate dean and assistant professor of Tarleton’s College of Agriculture and Human Sciences. She has received national registration as a dietician through the American Diabetics Association and is a licensed dietician through the State of Texas. She holds a B.S. from the University of Texas, an M.S. from Texas Woman’s University, and a PhD. from Oklahoma State University. Jane primary ministry is with Tarleton’s Episcopal Campus Ministry. She and her husband, Bill, recently became grandparents for the first time.