We’re pleased to host Rev. Melissa Florer-Bixler for the Fall Campolo Fellows Lecture Series and Missions Forum, October 18-20, 2021 in partnership with Eastern University’s Office of Faith and Practice and Palmer Theological Seminary.  We’re especially grateful for the generous support of the Baugh Family Foundation and First Baptist Church of Philadelphia for sponsoring this three day community event.

Rev. Florer-Bixler will be sharing and discussing the thesis and themes from her latest book, How to Have an Enemy: Righteous Anger and the Work of Peace.

Rev. Florer-Bixler’s biography and schedule of events are provided below.

Biography

Melissa is the pastor of Raleigh Mennonite Church, and a graduate of Duke University and Princeton Theological Seminary. She spent times studying in Israel/Palestine, Kenya, and England. Much of her formation took place in the L’Arche community of Portland, OR. Now she prefers the Eno River and her garden in Raleigh, NC. She is the chair of L’Arche North Carolina and a steering committee member in broad-based organizing in her county. Melissa’s writing has appeared in Christian Century, Sojourners, Geez, Anabaptist Witness, The Bias, Faith&Leadership, and Anabaptist Vision. From time to time she publishes academic writing. She and her spouse parent three children.

Schedule

Monday – October 18

10:00-10:50 am Campolo Scholars Forum (Open to Public; Masks Required)
“Jesus is Nice and Other Lies I learned in Church”
Walton Hall Prayer Chapel

12:00pm Lunch with Campolo Scholars, Faculty, Staff and Guests
Baird Library

2:00 pm INST 150: Introduction to Faith, Reason, and Justice; with Professor Sarah Todd, M.Ed
HHC 104

6:00 pm Dinner and Discussion with Tony and Peggy Campolo, faculty, staff, area pastors, and current and alumni Campolo Scholars (PRIVATE)

Tuesday – October 19

11:00 am Diversity, Equity, and Belonging conversation with Dr. Randolph Walter, Special Assistant to the President for Diversity, Equity, and Belonging, and EU Leadership Team and others invited (PRIVATE)

12:00pm  Lunch with Campolo Scholars, Faculty, Staff and Guests
Baird Library or Dining Commons

3:15-3:50 pm POLI 324: Politics of the Middle East; with Dr. Sharon Gramby-Sobukwe
HHC 107

7:00-8:30 pm Conversations that Matter with Palmer Theological Seminary
“Is Polarization the Problem?: New Imagination for Times of Conflict”
1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Wednesday – October 20

10:00 am Eastern University Chapel (Live streamed and Open to Public; Masks Required)
“Faith Beyond Political Fiction: Following Jesus Outside of Centrism”
Luke 6:12-36
Eastern Gymnasium

11:00 am NewCORE Conversations on Race
Eastern Gymnasium

12:30 pm  Lunch & Conversation with Campolo Scholars, Faculty, Staff and Guests
Baird Library

3:00-3:40 pm SOWK 110: Human Diversity and Social Interaction; with Professor Megan D. Acedo, M.Div., MSW
McInnis 252

4:00 pm Conversation with Mission Representatives via Zoom