Pastors and lay leaders from the Presbytery of Philadelphia, the ELCA, UCC, and UMC gathered on Thursday at United Lutheran Seminary for the Presbytery’s Expanding the Pulpit Preaching Symposium. The day opened with a keynote from The Rev. Dr. Shively T. J. Smith, Associate Professor of New Testament at Boston University, who offered a compelling exploration of New Testament traditions, diaspora studies, hermeneutics, Womanist and African American biblical interpretation, and the spiritual wisdom of Howard Thurman. Her insights invited participants to reflect deeply on the call to preach with clarity, conviction, and contextual awareness.

Following the keynote, participants joined a series of dynamic workshops. Rev. Dr. Kevin Vandiver led “Particularity Amidst Polarity: Preaching To, With, and Across,” exploring how pastors can faithfully navigate divided contexts. Rev. Dr. Jess Winderweedle offered “Learning from Mainline LGBTQIA+ Preachers,” highlighting wisdom from courageous voices in the pulpit. Dr. Donyelle McCray presented “The Introverted Preacher,” offering practices and perspectives that affirm introversion as a gift to the preaching life. The day was filled with meaningful fellowship, thoughtful learning, and a shared commitment to strengthening the witness of the Church through preaching.