Faculty

Dr. William Mallard

Throughout an unforgettable career, Dr. William (Bill) Mallard taught, in his special way, the Scriptures and the history of the Christian church in United Methodist congregations, at conferences, and at Emory University's Candler School of Theology. Bill came to Candler School of Theology in 1957 after teaching religion at Sweet Briar College. That same year, he was ordained an elder and accepted into full connection in the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church. He and his wife, Gatra, have three adult children. He has been a fabulously popular lecturer, full of intelligence, warmth, patience, fun, and Christian commitment.

Academy Topic: Spirituality in Luke’s Gospel
Each of the sessions will study a specific Biblical passage from Luke’s Gospel with emphasis on God's spiritual relation to God's people. A major theme through the five sessions will be "forgiveness." Each session will include one hour of reading and consideration of the passage, lecture, questions for reflection, followed by an hour of individual silent reflection, and then a half hour of feedback discussion between class and instructor.
Recommended pre-reading: the Gospel of Luke and participants are also asked to bring with them a copy of Sharon H. Ringe, LUKE, in the WESTMINSTER BIBLE COMPANION series (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1995), a commentary

Jerry Webber

Jerry Webber has spent much of his life asking questions about meaning and purpose. As a teen, questions about what he was to do with his life led him to the Church. For the last 15 years, he has explored the terrain of the soul, with an interest in living with depth and meaning, as well as accompanying others on the spiritual journey. An ordained minister in the Baptist tradition and a member of University Baptist Church in Houston, Texas, Jerry serves as director of The Center for Christian Spirituality, a ministry of Chapelwood United Methodist Church in Houston. He has been married to his wife, Paula, for 27 years. Their daughter, Sarah, is a high school English teacher in Houston and their son, Bradley, graduates from college in May. Jerry is energized when he travels and explores both the outer and inner landscapes of life. He loves to read, write poetry, and be in the created world.

Academy Topic: Spiritual Disciplines
Jerry will explore spiritual disciplines in the larger context of spiritual formation as attentiveness to the Spirit’s work in us and in our world. He will look at classical spiritual practices as tools to help us pay attention. Participants also will experience how two significant Christian communities have utilized spiritual practices. By the end of the week, those involved will begin to establish patterns for personal and corporate spiritual practice that will support the life of the Spirit within.
Recommended pre-reading: Soul Feast by Marjorie Thompson and Wisdom Distilled from the Daily by Joan Chittister