Harvey Lecture: Rev. Kim Jackson calls for faith leaders to lead efforts for justice

 
The Rev. Kim Jackson called on faith leaders to lead in the efforts for justice and reconciliation during her talk at the student-run Harvey Lecture on Monday, March 27, 2017. This year’s lecture was given on the campus of Seminary of the Southwest, and received by an engaged crowd of students, alumni/ae and community members.
“The title of my lecture may be the most provocative thing I say tonight,” began Rev. Jackson. The title, “From Protests to Pulpits: Priesting in a Black Lives Matter Era,” reflected the many facets of Rev. Jackson’s work as Associate Rector for Adult Formation and Christian Social Action Ministries at All Saints Episcopal Church in Atlanta. Her ministry has included advocacy to end discrimination, anti-death penalty work, and being present to the people of Ferguson, Missouri. Rev. Jackson emphasized the importance of cultivating empathy, being prepared for opposition, and understanding our limitations.
“We’ve been studying various aspects of justice and reconciliation in my time here,” shared senior seminarian The Rev. Deacon J. Clarkson. “What is so helpful about hearing Rev. Kim’s experience is that she has put these ideas into action.” Clarkson is chair of the Harvey Lecture Committee, which is composed of seminary students and was founded in memory of the late Dean Hudnal Harvey to bring speakers who connect pastoral leadership with current social issues.

“Kim Jackson offered us a call to engage for justice as faith leaders, always cultivating empathy, accepting disagreement, and deploying our own gifts,” said Seminary of the Southwest Dean and President The Very Rev. Cynthia Briggs Kittredge. “Kim’s presence and witness were a gift to the Southwest community.”
Southwest Academic Dean Dr. Scott Bader-Saye reflected, “As part of our ongoing campus dialogue on race and reconciliation, Kim Jackson provided us with a challenging vision that combined the pastoral and the prophetic to engage the church in transformative work. Her talk was both practical and visionary. Her presence was gracious and inspiring.”

The Harvey Lectures were conceived at Seminary of the Southwest as a way of honoring the late Dean Harvey, who died unexpectedly in 1972, after serving as the seminary’s Dean for just 5 years. An annual series, the Harvey Lectures are overseen by student leaders, and look to address the relationship between pastoral leadership and contemporary issues confronting the church. These Lectures have become a lasting and vital resource for the seminary, bringing important and diverse theological voices to the seminary campus.
The 2018 Harvey Lecture speaker and date will be announced soon.