The 22nd Peter Ainslie Lecture, sponsored by the Council on Christian Unity, will feature Dr. Peter M. Morgan, retired president of the Disciples of Christ Historical Society, speaking on the topic, "Life After the 'Last Will and Testament': the Stories of Two Faithful Executors."
The lecture will take place on Saturday, October 30th, at National City Christian Church in Washington, D.C. The Capital Area Region is co-sponsoring the lecture that begins at 7:00 p.m., and will be preceded by dinner at 5:30 p.m. (reservations for the dinner only are required). Dr. Morgan will also be preaching at National City Christian Church on Sunday morning, October 31, as part of the week-end celebration of the Disciples' witness to Christian unity and our oneness in Jesus Christ.
The lecture is meant to be a continuation of this year's celebration of the 200th Anniversary of "The Last Will and Testament of the Springfield Presbytery" that took place at Cane Ridge, Ky., earlier this year. The "Last Will and Testament," an historic document that resulted in the birth of a movement that sought to unify all Christians for the cause of evangelism, common mission, and glorifying Christ. Several churches, including the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), trace their roots to this event and critical principle.
Robert Welsh, president of the Council on Christian Unity, said in announcing this year's lecturer, "I am delighted Dr. Peter Morgan will be delivering this important lecture. It is my hope that his address will encourage Disciples to reclaim the movement character of our church's life, in continuing the spirit of Cane Ridge and the 'Last Will and Testament' into our 21st century context."
A recognized scholar delivers the Peter Ainslie Lecture annually. Dr. Peter Ainslie III (1867-1934), a distinguished ecumenist, was the minister of Christian Temple, a Disciples congregation in Baltimore, Maryland, and the first president of the Council on Christian Unity.