Information
Laity Weekend is an opportunity for laity of all communions to cultivate their faith through focused study of spiritual formation, theology, Christian tradition, history, and scripture. Guided by experienced faculty, participants are invited to examine their faith and broaden their understanding of Christian living as they continue lifelong learning with Duke Divinity School.
Keynote Lecture
Keynote Lecture Friday, April 25 -7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Forgiving Our Enemies: The Test of True Faith
“How many times must I forgive?” asked Jesus’ disciples. Not only does Jesus make it clear that we must forgive as many times as is needed, but that God will not forgive our sins against him unless we too forgive those who have sinned against us. In other words, Jesus has made salvation dependent upon our fulfillment of one of the hardest commandments of the faith: “Forgive.” This lecture will explore how various leaders from the Early Church, including Ambrose of Milan, Gregory of Nyssa, and Augustine of Hippo, interpreted the New Testament teachings on forgiveness.
J. Warren Smith, assistant professor of historical theology has taught at the Divinity School since 2001. He is interested in the history of theology broadly conceived from the apostles to the present, but his primary focus is upon patristic theology. Smith’s current research is on the theological foundation of Ambrose of Milan’s teachings on the life of virtue. A United Methodist minister, he is the author of Passion and Paradise: Human and Divine Emotion in the Thought of Gregory of Nyssa (Crossroad, 2004).
Schedule
Start the weekend early and join us for a class on Friday afternoon.
Friday, April 27 | |
| 2:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | |
| 5:30 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. | Dinner at the Divinity School Refectory |
| 7:00 p.m. | Keynote Lecturer with Dr. J. Warren Smith |
Saturday, April 26 | |
| 8:30 a.m. | Morning Worship |
| 9:00 a.m. | |
| 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Alumni Memorial Common & York Reading Room, Duke Divinity School |
| 1:15 p.m.– 4:00 p.m. | |
| 4:00 p.m. | Adjourn |
Registration and General Information
***Tuition fees are non-refundable.***
- FULL EVENT: Friday Class, Dinner, Friday Lecture and Saturday Classes $130.00
- Friday ONLY $90.00
- Saturday ONLY $80.00
Members of a Duke Endowment church are eligible for a $50 scholarship.
Members of a Phase II Teaching Congregation church are eligible for a full scholarship. Members of a Thriving Rural Church are eligible for a full scholarship.
To assist with local accommodations, a block of rooms have been reserved for program participants at the following hotels:
Comfort Inn Medical Park at a special rate of $69 per night (plus applicable taxes) single or double occupancy. To reserve a room, call the hotel at 919-471-6100 by April 4, 2008. The hotel offers a complimentary breakfast and is within minutes from Duke's campus.
The Hilton Hotel at a special rate of $99 per night (plus applicable taxes) single or double occupancy. To reserve a room, call the hotel at 1-800-445-8667 by April 4, 2008. The Hilton is a full service hotel located just minutes from campus. Be sure to mention you are participating in Duke's Laity Weekend to receive the special rate at these hotels. After April 4, 2008, reservations will be subject to availability.
Duke University is committed to providing access to programs for persons with disabilities. If you anticipate needing accommodations or have questions about physical access, please contact (919) 660-3448 in advance of the program.
Questions should be directed to the Center for Continuing Education at (919) 660-3448 or toll free (888) 845-4216.