Community Luncheon to Feature Distinguished Lutheran Scholar Dr. Caryn Riswold

Posted: October 28, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Community Luncheon to Feature Distinguished Lutheran Scholar Dr. Caryn Riswold

DECORAH, IOWA — A community-wide luncheon and presentation featuring Dr. Caryn Riswold, Professor of Religion and McCoy Family Distinguished Chair in Lutheran Heritage and Mission at Wartburg College, will be held on Sunday, November 10, from 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 701 Iowa Street, Decorah.

Earlier that morning, Dr. Riswold will also present at the Sunday Forum at First Lutheran Church, 604 W. Broadway Street, Decorah, from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m., offering two opportunities for community members to engage with her work.

Dr. Riswold will discuss her recent publication, “ReEngaging ELCA Social Teaching on Abortion,” which examines the evolution of Lutheran social teaching in changing contemporary contexts. The book focuses on fostering thoughtful dialogue within faith communities while emphasizing the Lutheran call to compassionate community engagement.

A respected scholar in Religion and Gender Studies, Dr. Riswold joined the Wartburg College faculty in 2018 after sixteen years of teaching at Illinois College. Her work is praised for its nuanced approach to complex social issues through the lens of Lutheran theology and ethics.

Dr. Jacqueline Bussie, former Concordia College professor, describes the book as “nuanced, clear, and hopeful,” noting that it “takes holy risks, builds bridges across barriers, and insists that we feel the intricate textures of real-life situations.”

The book includes discussion questions and additional reading resources, making it suitable for both individual and group study. Copies are available through Augsburg Fortress Press and as a Kindle download on Amazon.

Event Details:

Sunday Forum:

– Date: Sunday, November 10

– Time: 9:30 – 10:15 a.m.

– Location: First Lutheran Church, 604 W. Broadway St, Decorah

Community Luncheon:

– Date: Sunday, November 10

– Time: 12:00 noon – 1:30 p.m.

– Location: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 701 Iowa St, Decorah

– Cost: a $10 suggested donation

All community members are welcome to attend. 

For more information, contact:

First Lutheran Church, 563-382-2638, office@firstlutherandecorah.org

Good Lutheran Church, 563-382-3963, office@goodshepherddecorah.org

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