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Pfautch Lectures

2012 Pfautch Lectures | October 15 & 16

In The Eye of The Storm

Bishop Gene Robinson

Getting Into Gospel Trouble

Monday, October 15, 2012, 7 pm

Of Prophets and Spirituality

Tuesday, October 16, 2012, 7 pm

Co-Hosts: Christ Church Cathedral

Metropolitan Community Church of Greater Saint Louis

The Right Reverend V. Gene Robinson

IX Bishop of New Hampshire
University of the South, B.A. American History
General Theological Seminary, M.Div.

V. Gene Robinson was elected Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire on June 7, 2003, having served as Canon to the Ordinary (Assistant to the Bishop) for nearly 18 years. He was consecrated a Bishop on All Saints Sunday, November 2, 2003, and was invested as the Ninth Bishop of New Hampshire on March 7, 2004.

Clergy wellness has long been a focus of Bishop Robinson’s ministry, and in the nineties he developed the A Being Well in Christ© as a conference model for The Cornerstone Project, and led clergy conferences in over 20 dioceses in the U.S. and Canada. He initiated A Fresh Start, a two-year mentoring program for all clergy in new positions in New Hampshire, and co-authored the Fresh Start curriculum, now in use in nearly half of the dioceses of the Episcopal Church.

Much of his ministry has focused on helping congregations and clergy, especially in times of conflict, utilizing his skills in congregational dynamics, conflict resolution and mediation. Co-author of three AIDS education curricula for youth and adults, Robinson has done AIDS work in the United States and in Africa (Uganda and South Africa). He has been an advocate for anti-racism training in the diocese and wider Church.

Robinson helped build the Diocese of New Hampshire’s close working partnership with the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund, advocated for debt relief for the world’s most impoverished nations, and lobbied for socially-responsible investment within and beyond the Church.

Robinson holds two honorary doctorates and has received numerous awards from national civil rights organizations. His story is featured in the 2007 feature-length documentary, “For the Bible Tells Me So.” In 2008, Gene’s book “In the Eye of the Storm: Swept to the Center by God” (Seabury Books, New York) was released.

Bishop Robinson has been active particularly in the area of full civil rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gender people. Working at the state, national and international levels, he has spoken and lobbied for equal protection under the law and full civil marriage rights. He has been honored by many LGBT organizations for this work, including The Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force and the Equality Forum.

Bishop Robinson was invited by Barack Obama to give the invocation at the opening inaugural ceremonies at the Lincoln Memorial on January 18, 2009.

Robinson is the father of two grown daughters and the proud grandfather of two granddaughters. He lives with his partner, Mark Andrew, who is employed by the State of New Hampshire’s Department of Health and Human Services.

PAST LECTURES

2011 Pfautch Lectures

The Diverse Voices of Islam: Reading Scripture from Multiple Perspectives

Monday, October 17, 2011, 7 pm

The Ethical Muslim: A Framework for Responding to Cultural Complexities

Tuesday, October 18, 2011, 7 pm

Dr. Ingrid Mattson, Ph.D.

Director of the Macdonald Center for the Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations
Director of Islamic Chaplaincy Program
Professor of Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations
B.A. University of Waterloo
Ph.D. University of Chicago

Dr. Ingrid Mattson is Director of the Macdonald Center for the Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations, Director of Islamic Chaplaincy and Professor at the Macdonald Center for the Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations at Hartford Seminary in Hartford, CT.

Dr. Mattson earned her Ph.D. in Islamic Studies from the University of Chicago in 1999. Her research is focused on Islamic law and society; among her articles are studies on slavery, poverty and Islamic legal theory.

Dr. Mattson was born in Canada, where she studied Philosophy at the University of Waterloo, Ontario (B.A. ’87). From 1987-1988, she lived in Pakistan where she worked with Afghan refugee women. In 2001, she was elected Vice-President of ISNA, and, in 2006, she was elected President of the organization. Dr. Mattson
is the first convert to Islam and the first female to lead the Islamic Society of
North America (ISNA).