2023 News and Events

The Perkins School of Theology community will gather for an Advent Evening Prayer service at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, in Cox Chapel at Highland Park UMC.

The Rev. Dr. Thomas J. Pace III (M.Div. ’82) and Rev. Dr. Clayton Oliphint (M.Div. ’88, D.Min. ’96) have been selected as recipients of the 2023 Perkins Distinguished Alumnus/a Award.

A diverse quartet of academics and theologians headlines the 2023 Perkins Fall Convocation, scheduled for Nov. 13-14 at SMU. This year’s theme – “How We Engage the Bible” – focuses not only on our ability to read and interpret the Scriptures but also how we can employ that understanding in your ministry context, whether you are a clergy or a layperson.

The Lilly Endowment-funded initiative at Perkins School of Theology, “Testimony HQ,” has selected 11 congregations for the third and final cohort of developing thriving congregations through the practice of testimony as community engagement.

Dr. Paul Gavrilyuk – an internationally renowned theologian, philosopher and author – will deliver this year’s William J. Abraham Memorial Lecture at 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3.

Perkins School of Theology is accepting nominations for its 2023 Distinguished Alumnus/a Award. The deadline to submit is Thursday, Aug. 31.

Dr. Frederick Aquino, a noted scholar and theologian who has served on the faculty of Abilene Christian University since 1998, has been named Professor of Systematic Theology at Perkins School of Theology.

Applications opened May 1 for congregations interested in joining the third cohort of Perkins School of Theology’s Testimony HQ grant-funded initiative. Up to 10 churches will be selected for the third and final cohort, which launches January 1, 2024.

Two long-serving United Methodist laypersons from Missouri and Arkansas – Dr. Yvette Richards and Shelley Lee – have been selected as the 2023 recipients of the Woodrow B. Seals Laity Award.

Come experience a wide range of theological mini-courses for laypersons, community leaders and clergy at the annual Perkins Summit for Faith and Learning with a diverse panel of speakers, to be held March 24-25.

Nominations are now open for the 2023 Perkins School of Theology Woodrow B. Seals Laity Award and will be accepted through February 15, 2023. The annual award is presented to a layperson in the United States who exemplifies an exceptional commitment of service to Christ through faith and action in the church, community and world.