DISTINGUISHED LECTURE SERIES

Slave Life and the Power of Spirituals
with Dr. Eileen Guenther

Join with us as Dr. Eileen Guenther discusses her acclaimed book, “In Their Own Words: Slave Life and the Power of Spirituals,” which weaves a succinct history of slavery in America into the role of singing and religion in the lives of the enslaved.

Dr. Guenther currently serves as Professor of Church Music at Wesley Theological Seminary and Lecturer in Music  at The George Washington University. Prior to that, she served as Minister of Music and Liturgy at Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C., followed by three terms as president of the American Guild of Organists. She has performed over 250 organ recitals throughout Europe, South America and the USA and has taught in Zimbabwe, Uganda and Cȏte d’Ivoire. In addition, Dr. Guenther has published two critically-acclaimed books, “Rivals or a Team: Clergy-Musician Relationships in the Twenty-First Century” (2012) and “In Their Own Words: Slave Life and the Power of Spirituals” (2016). Dr. Guenther is interviewed on the PBS documentary Christmas Carols with Amy Grant and in the EMMY-Award winning film “Backs Against the Wall: The Howard Thurman Story,” broadcast nationally. 

Friday, October 25, 7 p.m.
The Power of Spirituals
Lecture & Discussion
Featuring Soloist, Michael Forest

Saturday, October 26, 2 p.m.
Code Songs and the Underground Railroad
Lecture

Events will be held at

The Chapel at Orchard Ridge
A Center for Faith and Community Life
400 Clocktower Ridge Dr.
Winchester, VA 22603