Current News

Julia Kasdorf shares "Ruin, Relic and Resurrection" at 2009 Ministry of Writing Colloquium

Julia Kasdorf opened the 2009 Ministry of Writing Colloquium with her keynote address Writing as Ruin, Relic, and Resurrection. “It’s Halloween,” she began. “Let me tell you a story that has been haunting and bewildering me lately—a gruesome story.” Her keynote presentation was the highlight of an inspiring day on the ESR campus, well attended by ESR friends and alumni, Earlham College students, and writers from the area and abroad.

Dave Hansen Shares the Art of Pastoring with ESR

"I have one goal for my talks...to defend and to magnify, or expand, our vision of some of the really simple things in pastoral work," stated Dave Hansen as he began his keynote presentation at the 2009 ESR Pastors Conference, The Art of Pastoring.  Hansen gave three presentations, as well as providing the Common Meal talk while he was on campus September 28th and 29th.

ESR Hosts 50th Anniversary Kick-Off Celebration

The Earlham School of Religion hosted their 50th Anniversary kick-off celebration on Friday, September 25th on their Richmond campus. Alumni/ae, former and current faculty and staff, and f/Friends of the school attended the day-long event.

ESR Mourns the Loss of Tom Mullen

Tom Mullen, former dean of ESR, well-known Richmond author, college professor and recorded minister in the Society of Friends, died Friday, June 19th, at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. He was taken to the hospital after reportedly suffering what was believed to be a stroke earlier Friday.

ESR Shares the Passing of Wilmer Cooper

The ESR community is saddened to share the news of Wilmer Cooper's passing. Wilmer was one of the founders of ESR and the first dean of the seminary. He was 88 years old at the time of his death. His wife, Emily, (creator of the beautiful Peace quilt in the ESR Gathering area) died in 2005. Wil and Emily moved to Friends Fellowship Community in 1994. They had 4 children, Suzanne, Cathy, and Barbara, who live in Massachusetts, and Scott, who lives in Florida.

He will be dearly missed. Please hold his family and friends in God's light.

Ministry of Writing Colloquium

"I don't do new," joked speaker Robert Wicks; "it's what I do with what's important, I think."

ESR publishes Leading Quakers

ESR is excited to present a new publication written by ESR graduate and Director of Outreach Jennie Isbell. Jennie's book, Leading Quakers: Discipleship Leadership, A Friends Model, is a nine-chapter book designed to lead worshiping communities through a thought-provoking year of adult religious education on the topic of leadership development in the congregation.

Pastors Conference 2008

On Saturday, September 20th, a small but energetic group gathered for this year's Pastor's Conference, The Bible in the Air by Heart, on the ESR campus.  The day started with a wonderful breakfast and worship, followed by keynote speaker Tom Boomershine's energetic and interactive presentation. Boomershine is a well-known biblical storyteller and brought much enthusiasm to the conference.

ESR Takes Ministry to Latin America

The Earlham School of Religion is proud to announce its first class abroad, to be taught in Mexico from January 2-14, 2008.

Writers Colloquium 2007

At Earlham School of Religion's 16th annual Ministry of Writing Colloquium, Haven Kimmel's keynote address explored the connections between Quakerism and writing.