Earlham School of Religion announces new ‘Heart of Peace’ seminar and lecture series

Earlham School of Religion’s Quaker Leadership Center, in partnership with the Betty Carter Peace Fund, has announced “The Heart of Peace,” a new speaker and seminar series exploring faith, theology, and moral vision in the pursuit of peace and human connection. 

This inaugural series is designed to bring distinguished scholars, faith leaders, and practitioners to Earlham. Through lectures and dialogue, they will explore how theology, ethics, and spiritual practice can shape approaches to peace and human relationships, offering the community new ways to think about the challenges and needs of our time. The series continues Earlham’s long tradition of faith-driven education and peacemaking.

“The Heart of Peace” series is made possible through the Betty Carter Peace Fund, which was established as a living memorial to Betty Lynn Carter, to bring outstanding voices of Christian faith, scholarship, and experience to Earlham.  A graduate of Earlham College of the Class of 1979, Carter majored in political science, during which her commitment to and skills in the use of peaceful means for conflict resolution were reinforced and sharpened.

This year’s presenters are Diana Hadley and David Weatherspoon, co-authors of The peace class: A study of effective cheek-turning, neighbor-loving, and sword-to-plowshare conversion. Together, they will lead two explorations of everyday peacemaking, offering practical insights rooted in theology, moral vision, and lived experience.

Quaker Leadership Center Co-Director Della Stanley-Green shared her excitement for the upcoming series, noting: “Everyday peacemaking is our focus for the 2025 Heart of Peace series. Diana Hadley and David Weatherspoon, who wrote their book based on a class that they co-taught at Franklin College, bring a practical and thoughtful approach to the topic. Their experiences in journalism, teaching, and ministry made them a perfect fit for the inaugural Heart of Peace series.” By hosting these conversations, Earlham affirms its commitment to preparing students and communities to engage the world with courage, compassion, and clarity.”

“The Heart of Peace” series will take place at the Perkins-Wildman Community Center building on the Earlham School of Religion campus on October 7, from 7-8:30 p.m., and October 8, from 4-5:30 p.m., and is available online via Zoom.

The series is free, but registration is required for attendance. The events are open to students, faculty, and the wider community, offering a space for reflection, dialogue, and practical engagement in the work of peacemaking.

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About Earlham College 

Earlham College and Earlham School of Religion foster a collaborative learning community that inspires and motivates students with transformative opportunities and experiences so they can become catalysts for good in a changing world. Located in Richmond, Indiana, Earlham is one of U.S. News & World Report’s Top 75 national liberal arts colleges and offers one of the top 20 classroom experiences in the nation, according to the Princeton Review.