James A. Davis Lectures in Religion Explore ‘Advocacy with Civility,’ March 21 - 23
The James A. Davis Lectures in Religion will feature four presentations centered around the theme of “Advocacy with Civility: Faith Traditions United for the Common Good.”
Rev. C. Douglas Smith
The James A. Davis Lectures in Religion will feature four presentations centered around the theme of “Advocacy with Civility: Faith Traditions United for the Common Good” by The Rev. C. Douglas Smith beginning on Sunday, March 21 and continuing through Tuesday, March 23. The lectures are co-sponsored by Valley Interfaith Council, Downtown Clergy Fellowship, and Shenandoah University’s Department of Religion, Criminal Justice Program and Office of Spiritual Life. The Rev. Smith is the executive director of Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy.
Below is a complete schedule for the James A. Davis Lectures in Religion:
Sunday, March 21 – “Community United Against Racism and Anti-Semitism,” begins at 3 p.m. at the Health Professions Building, Omps Auditorium. This event is free and open to the public.
Sunday, March 21 – “The State Budget as a Moral Document,” begins at 7:30 p.m. in Henkel Hall, Hester Auditorium. This event is free and open to the public.
Monday, March 22 – “The Case for Restoration of Voting Rights for Felons,” begins at 7:30 p.m. in Henkel Hall, Hester Auditorium. This event is free and open to the public.
Tuesday, March 23 – “The Value of Interfaith Witness on Public Policy”, begins at noon in the Brandt Student Center, Ferrari Room, and includes lunch. For luncheon tickets, contact Dr. John Copenhaver at jcopenha@su.edu.
All lectures are free and open to the public except the luncheon event on Tuesday, March 23. For luncheon tickets, contact Professor of Philosophy and Religion John Copenhaver at jcopenha@su.edu.
The Rev. C. Douglas Smith is the executive director of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, which works to build a more just and compassionate Commonwealth on behalf of a unique Christian, Jewish and Islamic partnership in Virginia. As an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), The Rev. Smith has served as a pastor, church builder, coordinator of mission volunteers and worked in disaster relief and development. He was formerly on staff with the World Council of Churches in Geneva, Switzerland, and previously served as senior web strategist for FaithandValues.com.
He is a graduate of James Madison University (B.S.), Lexington Theological Seminary (M.Div.). He was named a 2005 Sorensen Fellow by the University of Virginia with the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership program, and he is a graduate of the Citizen's Planning Academy in Hanover County, Va.
Smith has been on the Heifer International board since 1999 and serves as chair of its international Board or Directors. He is also a former member of the World Council of Churches' U.S. Decade to Overcome Violence Committee, was a member of the board of the Virginia Fair Trial Project, the Virginia Commission on Sexual Violence, Governor Kaine's Poverty Commission, and he participates in the Mechanicsville Rotary.
He was named one of James Madison University's "World Changers" among alumni, professors and students, found his way onto the “Top 40 under 40” list published by Style Weekly and accepted the Richmond History Makers award from the Valentine History Museum.