Founders Day 2019
Saturday, March 9
Igniting the Spiritual Imagination

Founders Day is an annual event sponsored by the Office of Church Relations, connecting students, faculty and community members with an outstanding scholar in the area of religion and a renewal and reunion event for Disciples of Christ and United Church of Christ people though all are invited.

Founders Day 2019 will be centered around The Saint John’s Bible—the first hand written Bible created since the invention of the printing press. Written on calfskin vellum using medieval calligraphic techniques, the art of the Saint John’s Bible seeks to awaking a biblical passion for social justice and appreciation for science, technology and discovery.

The Founders Day Scholar is Father Eric Hollas, OSB. Father Hollas was the representative of Saint John’s University who first received the request for the university to commission British Royal Scribe Donald Jackson to create a new illuminated Bible in celebration of this millennium. His lecture will be The Artist as Preacher.

The Founders Day Preacher is the Rev. Dr. Suzanne Castle, a Disciples minister who is passionate about the visual and movement arts and seeks to fuse ancient worship practices into today’s corporate worship. A former professional ballerina and actress as well as graduate of Claremont School of Theology, she is the pastor of Jacksboro Parish in Texas.

At the luncheon we will be honoring the United Church of Christ Church Leader of the Year, Ms. Elsa M. J. Seifert and the Disciples Church Leader of the Year, the Rev. Dr. Bill Thomas.

Photo credit: Word Made Flesh, Donald Jackson, Copyright 2006, The Saint John's Bible, Saint John's University, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA