INFORMATION FOR

Photo credit: Geoff Forester of Forester Photography, Concord NH.

DURHAM, N.C.—The Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Life (LGBT) will welcome to campus The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire for several events on October 6 and 7.  

Bishop Robinson was elected Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire on June 7, 2003, consecrated a Bishop on All Saints Sunday, November 2, 2003, and invested as the Ninth Bishop of New Hampshire on March 7, 2004. His ministry to the Church has focused on clergy and congregational wellness, coordinating program among the seven dioceses of New England, youth and college ministry, and conflict resolution.

Bishop Robinson’s election and consecration has been at the center of the worldwide Anglican Communion’s debate over the full inclusion of gay and lesbian people in the life and ministry of the Church. His personal story is featured in the 2007 feature-length documentary, “For the Bible Tells Me So.”  This documentary was written and directed by Daniel Karslake, a Duke alum who returned to campus last year to share the award winning film with the Duke community.

Dr. Janie Long, Director of the LGBT Center, is thrilled that the bishop was able to accept the invitation and looks forward to this opportunity to further dialogue with the bishop regarding issues of faith and identity.  “We are most fortunate to have Bishop Robinson on the Duke campus to lead us in dialogues that are close to the hearts of many Duke students, as well as, other members of the Duke and Durham communities,” said Dr. Long.

Co-author of three AIDS education curricula for youth and adults, the bishop has done AIDS work in the United States and in Africa (Uganda and South Africa). He has been an advocate for anti-racism training in the diocese and wider Church, helped build the Diocese of New Hampshire’s close working partnership with the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund, advocated for debt relief for the world’s most impoverished nations, and lobbied for socially-responsible investment within and beyond the Church.
Dr. Sam Wells, Dean of the Duke Chapel, commenting on Bishop Robinson’s visit said, “Bishop Robinson has been widely praised for his ministry and courage.  I am very much looking forward to learning from him about his faith and his vision for the church.”

Bishop Robinson holds a B.A. from the University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee, an M. Div. from the General Theological Seminary in New York, and several honorary Doctor of Divinity degrees. He has won numerous awards including the 2008 Elizabeth Birch Award of the Human Rights Campaign and the 2004 Gay and Lesbian Task Force Leadership Award. Recently, Equality Forum named Bishop Robinson one of the 2008 GLBT Icons.

Bishop Robinson is the father of two grown daughters and the proud grandfather of two granddaughters. He lives with his partner, Mark Andrew, who is employed by the State of New Hampshire’s Department of Safety.

Events planned for Bishop Robinson’s visit include:

Monday, October 6th
“Preparing Leaders for Faithful Ministry”
12:20-1:20 pm
Location: Duke Chapel
Bishop Robinson will address the topic of preparing leaders for faithful ministry including his thoughts about preparing LGBT persons for ministry.  This event will be open to all Divinity school faculty members, staff, and students, local clergy, and other interested members of the university and local communities.  Reception to follow in Alumni Memorial Common Room, Duke Divinity School.
Hosts:
Dr. Mary McClintock Fulkerson, Professor of Theology and Advisor Sacred Worth
Dr. Jo Bailey Wells, Associate Professor of the Practice of Christian Ministry and Bible; Director of the Anglican Episcopal House of Studies
The Anglican Episcopal House of Studies
Sacred Worth, LGBTA student group

7:00- 8:30 pm
Being Swept to the Center by God: A Conversation with Bishop Gene Robinson
Location: Duke Chapel
This conversation will be open to the public. Doors will open at 6:00 p. m. A book signing will follow this event at the Gothic Book Store in the Bryan Center from 8:30-10:00pm

Hosts:
Dr. Sam Wells, Dean of the Chapel
Dr. Janie Long, Director of the LGBT Center

Tuesday, October 7th
8:00 am Attend the Morning Prayer Service in Divinity School Chapel
Host: Sally Bates

3:00-4:00 “Dealing with Student Questions of LGBT Identity and Faith”
Location: LGBT Center
Question and Answer Session with members of the Division of Student Affairs, Religious Life, and Staff and Faculty of Duke Divinity School.
Hosts:
LGBT Center
Rev. Craig Kocher, Associate Dean of the Chapel and Director of Religious Life  

6:00- 7:30 “Being Faithful to Who We Are”
Location: LGBT Center
Dinner and conversation with the Bishop open to all undergraduate and graduate students related to faithfulness and authenticity.
Hosts:                     
LGBT Center
Sarah Ball-Damberg, Chaplain, The Episcopal Center  
The LGBT Center is grateful for the generous support of the Planning Committee for this event including: Dean Sam Wells, Dr. Mary Fulkerson, Dr. Jo Bailey Wells, Rev. Craig Kocher, Rev. Sarah Ball-Damberg, Rev. Sally Bates, Stuart Harrell, Brandy Daniels, and Heather Bishop. 

The Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Life invites members of the Duke and Durham communities to attend the conversation with Bishop Robinson author of the book, In the Eye of the Storm: Swept to the Center by God, from 7:00 until 8:30 pm on Monday, October 6th in Duke Chapel.  This conversation is free and open to the public.  Doors will open at 6:00 p. m. Event parking is $5 in the Bryan Center Parking Garage.