The John M. Turner, Jr. Lectureship on Life and Faith was established by First Christian Church to honor a man who exemplified the importance of reflective faith which seeks further understanding. Dr. Turner was a distinguished Christian, a teacher, and a scholar who dedicated his life to thoughtful faith and demonstrated a deep love for the church, scholarship, and for the interpretation of belief into action. Dr. Turner played an important role in the life of First Christian Church for many years. He served as deacon, elder, and Chair of the General Board. In his later years, he was a master leader of worship and was frequently asked to be the worship leader. His prayers were a hallmark of worship at the church he loved.

Dr. Turner graduated from Lynchburg College in 1929. He returned to the College in 1932 and remained until his retirement in 1974. During this time he served as a faculty member in the English Department, which he later chaired, Dean of the College, and then Academic Vice-President until his retirement. In 1995 Lynchburg College established the John Mills Turner, Jr. Distinguished Chair in the Humanities as a testament to his long and endearing service to the College and the church.

Until the end of his life in 1997, John Turner was immersed in the life of First Christian Church. The Turner Lectureship continues his legacy of a strong focus on the relationship of one's life and faith.

 

Eighteenth Annual John Mills Turner, Jr.   Lecture on Life and Faith Presented by Pastor William L. Lee Coming March 30, 2008 at First Christian Church at 3:00 in the afternoon.  A reception will follow.     Dr. Lee will also preach at the 11:00 Worship hour on March 30 at FCC and will present the Shumate Lecture at Lynchburg College on Monday evening, March 31, 2008. Pastor William L Lee is the second born child of the late Leon and Thelma Lee of Nuttsville, Virginia. Pastor Lee has been married to Dana for 34 years and they are the proud parents of two adult children, Aaron Michael and Sarah Barnes.  He is a 1974 graduate of Virginia State University with a BS in Special Education and a 1978 graduate of the Divinity School at Duke University. He is presently a Doctoral candidate at Ashland Theological Seminary, Ashland, Ohio with a concentration in Black Church Studies. Pastor Lee has taught in the Roanoke City Public School System, was an instructor in homiletics and theology at Duke Divinity School and currently serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Religion Department at Roanoke College. He is also a Certified Resolution Specialist, with the Department of Veteran Affairs and serves as Chief Mediator at the VA Medical Center in Salem. Pastor Lee serves on the following boards:  Chair BB&T Advisory Board  Founder and Board Chair- New Horizons Health Center  Virginia Western Community College Foundation  CHIP (Child Health Investment Partnership) of Roanoke Valley  21ST Visioning Team of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)   Greenwood Cemetery, Nashville, Tennesse   Black Disciples Endowment Fund, Indianapolis, Indiana   Founder of CURE (Clergy United to Reclaim Ecclesia)   Community Advisory Board of the Junior League of the Roanoke Valley Pastor Lee is the immediate past Moderator of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada. Bill Lee is has served for the past 30 years as pastor of the most exciting, loving and cutting edge church in the world, Loudon Avenue Christian Church.

Seventeenth Annual
John Mills Turner, Jr.

Lecture on Life and Faith
Presented by the Honorable Dr. Michael Gillette

Integrity, Spirituality, and Public Service: Where Religion and Politics Combine

To listen to this lecture click here (this is an MP3 file)

Dr. Michael Gillette

Dr. Michael Gillette came to Lynchburg in 1990 to teach at Randolph-Macon Woman’s College.  Until 1997 he taught Philosophy and Ethics and achieved tenure and the rank of Associate Professor.  He began his own business, Bioethical Services of Virginia, Inc and currently is serving as President.  Bioethical Services of Virginia is a medical ethics consulting business.  In addition, to providing numerous seminars in medical ethics, Bioethical Services of Virginia, Inc., provides medical ethics educational progra mming, committee support, policy development support and ethics case consultations. Additionally he holds standing in the University of Virginia School of Medicine as Clinical Assistant Professor of Family Medicine.  He received his undergraduate degree from Brandeis University.  He attended  Brown University where he received his  Masters  and Doctor of Philosophy Degrees.  In 2004 Michael was elected to City Council as Ward 1’s representative to City Council.

Michael and his wife Jodi are the proud parents of  two daughters, Rachel 17 and Rebecca 15.  The Gillettes’ Worshipping Community is Chavurah Masarti.