Serving as a pastor at a smoky, dingy truck stop with pinball machines, showers, greasy sandwiches and many bone-weary truck drivers, the Rev. Dr. Heather Murray Elkins shines a new light on ministry. Bringing her life experiences from the truck stop pulpit to Lakeside, she will serve as Preacher of the Week from June 25-29. This week is supported by the Rev. Dr. Bud Cox Endowment.
At the 10:30 a.m. Hoover Community Worship Service on Sunday, June 25, the Rev. Dr. Murray Elkins will preach on “Bold Speech, Brave Hearts: Bearing the Gospel,” based on Luke 1:39-56.
The Rev. Dr. Murray Elkins is currently Convener of Liturgical Studies Area in the GDR and Convener for Feminist Studies in Liturgy Seminary in the North American Academy of Liturgy.
She has taught courses on worship, cross-cultural courses on Appalachian studies, doctoral courses on preaching and feminist studies in liturgy and the arts. Her teaching career started when she became an instructor at the first bi-lingual, community-run school on the Navaho Reservation in Rough Rock, Ariz.
The Rev. Dr. Murray Elkins helped start the faculty exchange program at Ewha Woman’s University in Seoul, South Korea in 2001. She has also served as a truck stop chaplain—the only female truck stop chaplain at the time—and as a university chaplain and an academic dean at Drew Theological Seminary in Madison, N.J.
The Rev. Dr. Murray Elkins graduated from Prescott College where she received her bachelor’s degree. She went on to the University of Arizona receiving her master’s degree, then to Duke University to receive her Master of Divinity, and finally to Drew University where she earned her doctorate.
The Rev. Dr. Murray Elkins has contributed many articles to academic journals and church publications, and many of her essays, poems and sermons are available in denominational publications.
She is also the author of The Holy Stuff of Life and Worshiping Women: Reforming God’s People for Praise. Additionally she served as a contributing editor for Wising Up: Ritual Resources for Women of Faith.
During her week at Lakeside, the Rev. Dr. Murray Elkins will preach at 9:15 a.m. Monday-Thursday during Faith for Living Hour in Orchestra Hall. At 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, June 27, she will lead Vespers by the Lake, held on the Pavilion East Deck.
For those who wish to attend the Hoover Community Worship Service, a complimentary Church Pass may be obtained between 7:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Sunday, valid until 3 p.m. A complimentary Faith for Living Hour Pass is available from 8:30 a.m.-9:15 a.m. Monday Thursday; valid until 1:30 p.m. Both of these passes include admission for guests and auto.
