Wimberly School of Religion
& Graduate Theological Center

OWEN WIMBERLY CENTER FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION IN RELIGION

Established in 2002, The Owen Wimberly Center for Continuing Education in Religion offers a variety of workshops and lectures for both clergy and laity on topics related to issues of ministry, theology, and religion. Annual Lectures hosted by the Owen Wimberly Center include the Willson Lectures, Neustadt Lectures, Jung Lectures, and the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women Lectures. Continuing Education Units for clergy are available for all Owen Wimberly Center events. Rev. Rodney Newman serves as the Director of this center and Dr. Mark Y. A. Davies was the Founding Director.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF LECTURESHIPS:

Science and Religion Lecture

Neustadt Lecture (2009 will mark the 26th year)
Mr. Walter Neustadt of Ardmore, Oklahoma, established the lecture series in 1983 for the purpose of strengthening understanding of the great contributions of the Judaic religious tradition to Western civilization and thought. Each spring, a scholar is invited to the campus to speak on informative themes in the area of Hebrew scriptures, Judaic thought, and Jewish ethics and art. Such imminent scholars as Rabbi David Aaron, Rabbi Malka Drucker, David Nelson, and Stephen Norwood have spoken in recent years. This lecture is typically held in the spring.

Willson Lectureship (2009 will mark the 56th year)
This lectureship is provided by an endowment from Mr. And Mrs. J. M. Willson of Floydada, Texas. The lectures are held every fall as an evening lecture followed by two daytime lectures and are directed to the interest of students in the area of religion and society. The Willsons were outstanding members of the United Methodist Church. Their Christian vision was truly ecumenical in its outreach. Since 1953 their gift to Oklahoma City University has brought to campus speakers of international stature from the arts, business, government, religion, and science. The Willson Lectureship brings speakers of international stature in Christian theology and ethics, church history, biblical studies, and liturgical studies to OCU and the greater Oklahoma City community. Such imminent scholars as Wesley Wildman, Thomas Thangaraj, J. Philip Newell, and Gary Dorrien have spoken in recent years. This series of three lectures is typically held in the fall.

United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women Lectureship
This series of two lectures is held annually. Such imminent scholars as Cheryl Anderson and Amy Oden have spoken in the last few years.

Click on Events for a listing of upcoming events.