Feb. 21-23

Black churches have often been heralded by black communities as advocates for justice. Yet, when issues concerning sexuality have arisen, as seen in the current crisis of HIV/AIDS, black churches have been slow to respond. Loving the Body? Sexuality and Black Churches hopes to examine the ways black churches have negotiated history, theologies, and identities in the responses (or lack of responses) to matters sexual. It will offer those interested in black churches ways to more fully and honestly engage sexuality in worship and practice, and declare a love for black bodies that calls one to action and reverences God's miraculous design. The goal of this conference is to challenge those who attend to address and respond to matters sexual, ever hopeful that the cries of "Where are black churches in our time of suffering" can be finally answered with a resounding, "Here we are, Lord, send us."

Keynote speakers include Dr. Horace Griffin from The General Theological Seminary (New York, NY) and Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas from Goucher College (Baltimore, MD). Other participants include Pastor Sonnye Dixon, Dr. Victor Anderson, Rev. Asha Hunter, Catherine Wyatt-Morley (W.O.M.E.N.), Dwayne Jenkins (Nashville CARES), Penny Willis (Black Church Initiative), and Monique Moultrie."

Session times: Thursday, Feb. 21 noon-8:00 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 22 1:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 23 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (training session), 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. (worship service). For more details and the complete schedule go to http://www.vanderbilt.edu/divinity/carpenter/events.html

Campus locations: Divinity School: G23 and the Arts Room; the Black Cultural Center: Auditorium

For more information:  Call (615) 936-8453 or email: constance.dunlap@vanderbilt.edu

Sponsored by The Carpenter Program in Religion, Gender, and Sexuality.