Amherst, Mass., hosts lecture on economic situation, church's role in economic life

Prof. Gary DorrienIn an attempt to create a space in the community for informed dialogue around polarizing issues, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Amherst, Mass., in cooperation with Grace Episcopal Church, Amherst, recently hosted a lecture by Prof. Gary Dorrien entitled "Economic Crises, Commonwealth of God, and Economic Democracy." The lecture touched on some of the background to the church's role in economic life, as well as the recent economic situation. Though planned prior to the Occupy Wall Street Movement, the lecture also addressed the church's response to the protests. The inaugural lecture in this annual event was a great success, drawing people from the community to hear and discuss fresh intellectual and theological perspectives on contemporary issues, a ccording to Pr. Steven Wilco, pastor of Immanuel.  Dorrien is the Reinhold Niebuhr Professor of Social Ethics at Union Theological Seminary and professor of religion at Columbia University. About 75 members of the churches and the community participated in the lecture and discussion.

11/02/2011