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Speakers Series in Montreat The Presbyterian Historical SocietyÌs Montreat office is hosting a special series of programs to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the PHS and to highlight the new educational focus of the Montreat office. Several of the presentations tie in with new museum exhibits in the office, notably one on the PCUS and the Civil Rights Movement and one on the American Presbyterian Congo Mission. William Sheppard, the African American co-founder of the Congo Mission, is the subject of two biographies published this year, and we are pleased to have the authors of these biographies speaking in July. Admission to the entire series is free, and light refreshments will be provided. The Montreat office is located at the corner of Georgia Terrace and Assembly Drive, Montreat, NC. [more on the Montreat office] May 29, 2:00 P.M. -- "The Genuine Presbyterian Whine: Worship in the 18th Century" by Bill Bynum. Explore the roots of Presbyterian worship and music by looking back to Scotland, Ireland, and colonial America in the 1700s. There will even be opportunities for audience participation (no musical talent required)! June 12, 2:00 P.M. -- "Missionaries and Multiculturalism" by Mark Banker. Missionaries were among the first groups in the U.S. to engage in sustained interaction with "foreign" cultures. Mark Banker suggests that this contact impacted missionariesÌ understanding of cultural diversity and how we relate to other cultures. What can 21st century Christians learn from this encounter? Come join the discussion. July 3, 2:00 P.M. -- "Racial Boundaries and Southern Presbyterianism, 1946-1983" by Joel Alvis. Dr. Alvis will explore how the PCUS, a.k.a. the "Southern" Presbyterian Church, struggled to determine what roles racial issues and realities would play in the definition of being a Presbyterian. This topic and the decisions made in the past still affect the church today. July 10, 2:00 P.M. -- "Executive Order 9066: German and Japanese Detainees in Montreat, 1942-43" by Yvonne Lehman. During World War II Japanese and German diplomats and their families were interned at the Assembly Inn in Montreat, NC. Yvonne Lehman will discuss how she has researched and used the situation as a setting for a novel set during this period of fear, distrust, and confusion. July 24, 2:00 P.M. -- "William Sheppard: Pioneer Congo Missionary and Human Rights Advocate" by William Phipps. Discover how Sheppard, an African American Presbyterian missionary, rose above prejudice to become one of the most distinguished American Presbyterians. Come hear about his life work which includes his part in establishing a strong Congo church and his challenge of King LeopoldÌs human rights abuse, economic imperialism, and ecological exploitation -- issues that challenge us a century later. July 26, 11:30 A.M. -- "William Sheppard and His Encounter with the Kuba People" by Pagan Kennedy. Missionary and explorer William Sheppard was the first Westerner to enter the "Forbidden City" of the Kuba people in the heart of the Congo. At a time when racism dominated America, and Africans were seen as savages, an African American revealed to the world resounding proof of African artistic and cultural achievement. August 13, 2:00 P.M. -- "The History of Montreat" slide show by Diana Sanderson. Come join us for a picturesque and insightful presentation on the history of Montreat since its founding in 1897. August 14, 2:00 P.M -- "Sharing Delightful Experiences: Women in Early Montreat" by Diana Sanderson. Many hearty souls helped to build the community of Montreat. This is the story of three intrepid women who did their part in the early years. Biographical Information on the Speakers Bill Bynum  is Assistant Director for Reference and Information Services at the Montreat office of the Presbyterian Historical Society. He holds degrees in history from Wofford College and the University of Virginia, where he specialized in the colonial and Revolutionary era in America. Mark Banker  is a teacher and author from Kingston, Tennessee, and serves as Moderator of the Committee for the Presbyterian Historical Society, the SocietyÌs advisory group. Dr. Banker holds degrees in history from Warren Wilson College and the University of New Mexico, and has a special interest in Presbyterian missions in the Southwest and in southern Appalachia. Joel Alvis, Associate Pastor of St. LukeÌs Presbyterian Church in Dunwoody, Georgia, is the author of the book Religion and Race: Southern Presbyterians, 1946-1983. He holds degrees in history from Samford University, the University of Mississippi, and Auburn University, and in divinity from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Yvonne Lehman  is the author of over two dozen novels, winner of the ReadersÌ Choice Award of the Romance Writers of America, and founder of the Blue Ridge Christian WritersÌ Conference. She lives in Black Mountain, NC. William Phipps  is Professor Emeritus of Bible and Religion at Davis and Elkins College, Elkins, W.V. An ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), he was educated at Davidson College, Union Seminary in Virginia, the University of St. Andrews, and the University of Hawaii. Dr. Phipps resides in Richmond, Va. His latest book is William Sheppard: CongoÌs African American Livingstone. Pagan Kennedy  is the author of seven books including Black Livingstone (a study of William Sheppard) and her most recent novel, The Exes. She is the recipient of a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and was nominated for the Orange Prize for Fiction, BritainÌs most prestigious literary award. She lives outside of Boston. Diana Sanderson  is Special Collections Archivist at the Montreat office of the Presbyterian Historical Society. She holds degrees in history from Louisiana State University and prepared historical exhibits and programs for MontreatÌs centennial in 1997.

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