Mendenhall Lecture slated as two-night symposium on death, faith, Black history

In exploring some big ideas about death, faith and Black history in America, an annual tradition at DePauw University will morph into a two-night symposium.

In exploring some high-stakes questions, the 2023 Mendenhall Lecture will bring together artists, activists and faith leaders — Rev. CeCe Jones-Davis, Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, Shane Claiborne and Antoinette Jones.

Presented in collaboration with the Prindle Institute for Ethics and the Center for Spiritual Life will take place at Gobin Church on Sunday, Feb. 5 and Monday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. each night.

In addition to the two-night symposium, the Center for Spiritual Life will also present “A Conversation with Rev. Cece Jones-Davis” at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 5. Lunch will be served.

For better or worse, the story of capital punishment is bound up in a particular set about ideas of faith and justice. The story of Black history, the story of the freedom movement, is bound up in another set of ideas about faith and justice. Is it possible that big ideas about religion, ethics, God and meaning are actually killing people? Is it possible that only bigger ideas about religion, ethics, God and meaning could make it stop?

The event will also serve as a launch for Claiborne’s brand new book, “Rethinking Life: Embracing the Sacredness of Every Person,” released to the world Feb. 7, and Moss’s just-released book, “Dancing in the Darkness: Spiritual Lessons for Thriving in Turbulent Times.”

Jones-Davis is as an award-winning faith leader, facilitator, public speaker and impact strategist working at the intersections of faith, art and social justice. Her activism ranges from fighting to abolish the death penalty to advocating for menstrual equity — work that she does both on the ground to create immediate impact and in high-level rooms to drive policy changes, awareness and education.

She served in the historic Obama Administration under Ambassador Ron Kirk, the first African American U.S. Trade Representative. She is known most recently for her work in creating the #JusticeforJulius campaign that saved Julius Jones in Oklahoma just hours before his scheduled execution in 2021.

Claiborne is a prominent speaker, activist and best-selling author who worked with Mother Teresa in Calcutta and founded The Simple Way in Philadelphia. He heads up Red Letter Christians, a movement of folks who are committed to living “as if Jesus meant the things he said.”

Claiborne is a champion for grace, which has led him to jail advocating for the homeless and to places like Iraq and Afghanistan to stand against war. Now grace fuels his passion to end the death penalty and help stop gun violence.

Moss is senior pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. He is a preacher, poet, activist, author and filmmaker with an eye toward justice and equality. He founded The Unashamed Media Group, a justice-centered, faith-based agency committed to producing and curating stories to inspire the heart and challenge the mind. In October 2020, he created Otis’ Dream, a short film about his grandfather’s unsuccessful attempt to vote in 1946.

Moss preaches a theology of liberation rooted in a Black spirituality of love and justice. Dr. Moss was identified by the Baylor University George W. Truett Theological Seminary as one of the 12 most effective preachers in the English language in 2018.

Jones’ brother Julius sat on Oklahoma’s death row for more than 23 years despite maintaining his innocence and compelling evidence that he was wrongfully convicted. After an international movement to fight for #justiceforjulius and two favorable votes by the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board, Gov. Kevin Stitt commuted Julius’ sentence to life without the possibility of parole four hours shy of the scheduled execution on Nov. 18, 2021.

Antoinette is a passionate advocate for her brother both in Oklahoma and around the world, fearlessly highlighting both the particular injustices of Julius’ case, as well as the broader issues around capital punishment in America.

“It’s going to be a provocative, powerful kick off to both Black history month and spring semester of DePauw,” DePauw Chaplain Jonathan Martin said. “While it is our Mendenhall lecture, it’s not ‘just’ a lecture — it’s an experience that will embody the soul and sound of the Black church tradition, that engages the whole self. While it is an ethics event, it’s not ‘just’ that — this is space for the kind of lament, joy, community and fiery love that is the soil from which justice actually comes, not just ideas about justice.”

Organizers are envisioning Sunday and Monday as “two days for fierce thinking and soul renewing, with people who show us how to dream a better world out loud—let’s go.”

The event is free and open to the public.