THE SERIES
Rev. Dr. James W. White served First Congregational as Lead Minister from 1989 to 2005. His provocative and passionate ministry guided our congregation through a period of renewed witness in this community, encouraging and supporting an engaged spirituality. At every point, Jim taught others to enter into a life of faith more fully and more richly, exploring and drawing upon Biblical and historical traditions. He was committed to relating wide-ranging lessons of historic Christian teachings to the complexities of contemporary life. Sharing his enthusiasm for reading and study, Jim often brought to our congregation’s attention thinkers whom he admired, often inviting them to speak from our pulpit for the benefit of our church and the wider community.
Gifts to the James W. White Lectures Endowment are still welcome and can be made to First Congregational Church, noting the James W. White Endowment in the memo section of the check.
LECTURESHIP ARCHIVES
To honor Jim’s ministry and legacy, FCC established the James W. White Endowed Lectures. In 2007, the inaugural lecture was given by Bishop John Shelby Spong, followed in subsequent years by the following theologians and leaders:
2008 - Dr. Walter Brueggemann
2009 - Dr. Amy-Jill Levine
2010 - Professor Bernard McGinn
2010 - Rev. Dr. Robin Meyers
2011 - Rev. Dr. Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite
2012 - Sister Joan Chittister, O.S.B.
2013 - Brian D. McLaren
2014 - John Dominic Crossan
2015 - Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber
2016 - Bishop Yvette Flunder
2017 - Peter Rollins
2018 - Miroslav Volf
2019 - Rev. Dr. Miguel De La Torre
2020-2021 - cancelled
2022 - Dr. David Booth
2023 - Rev. Dr. Randy Woodley
2024 - Diana Butler Bass
2025 - Rev. Chris Hedges
2026 - Rev. Dr. Serene Jones (April 2026)
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Location