Outside Synod Events

The Second Annual Augustana Day*

*A gift of Augustana College to our colleagues in the ministry of the ELCA,

sharing the richness of the college in a way that will nourish your ministry

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Sex and the Soul:

Help for Religious Professionals who work with Young Adults

10:30 a.m. Convocation: Sex and the Soul. Dr. Donna Freitas, speaker. Centennial Hall

Today’s young adults (age 18-30) are fascinated by religion but are also more sexually active than previous generations. How do these youngpeople reconcile their spiritual longings with the sexual freedom encouraged by the culture? Dr. Freitas will draw upon extensive interviews that led to her book, Sex and The Soul: Juggling Sexuality, Spirituality, Romance, and Religion on America’s College Campuses (New York: Oxford University Press, 2008). Her presentation will explore what she calls the “hook-up culture” that is pervasive on our college campuses, even as students wish for alternatives to it.

Dr. Donna Freitas is Associate Professor of Religion at Hofstra University and is a regular contributor to beliefnet.com and Publishers Weekly. Shehas also written for The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and Christian Century and has appeared on NPR’s All Things Considered.

11:30 a.m. Lunch and Panel Discussion, continuing the conversation begun with Dr. Freitas’ Convocation, Board Room, College Center

Panelists are:
Andy Langdon, Director of Youth Ministry, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport, IA. “Relationships, stories, and energy are the stuff of AndyLangdon’s work with youth,” according to the St. Paul Lutheran Church website. An Associate in Ministry in the ELCA, Andy earned a degree in youth and family ministry from Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN.

Sara Moslener, Conrad J. Bergendoff Fellow in Religion, Augustana College. Dr. Moslener’s chapter in the new book, God in the Details: American Religion in Popular Culture (New York: Routledge, 2010) is titled, “Don’t Act Now! Selling Christian Abstinence in the Religious Marketplace,” based upon her extensive research into the faith-based sexual abstinence movement.

Mike Tendall, Director of Counseling Services, Augustana College. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Mike earned an MSW from the University of Iowa and a BA from Wartburg College. He regularly counsels college students about sexuality, family, and relationship issues.

12:30 p.m. What to Say about Sex and The Soul to your Child, Student, Parishioner, Friend. Dr. Donna Freitas.

1:30 p.m. Departure

The program, including lunch, is completely free of charge to all ELCA pastors and youth workers. We do ask you to RSVP by September 24, please, so that we may have adequate materials and food available. Please RSVP via e-mail to Connie Huntley, Augustana College Campus Ministries, conniehuntley@augustana.edu or by calling her at 309/794-7213.