Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church unveils the lineup of speakers for their 2017 summer preaching series. Worship services will be held at 11:15 a.m. every Sunday throughout the summer at the church, 1008 E. Henry St. in downtown Savannah.

This summer series will begin Sunday, July 9 with The Rev. Lesley Brogran. Brogran is a hospice Chaplin in Atlanta and a minister in the United Church of Christ. She has written two books – “Relying on the Moon: Companioning Grief for 29 Days” and “Grief and the Psalms” – and is ruminating over the third one. Brogan, who was born and raised in Mattoon, Ill., lives in Decatur with her partner, Linda Ellis.

Next up, on Sunday, July 16, is Savannah native, The Rev. Nathan Godley. Godley was an active member and leader at Epworth United Methodist Church. After graduating from Armstrong State University, he attended the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta. He served a variety of churches in the South Georgia UMC Conference, including Epworth UMC and White Bluff UMC in Savannah. After retiring, Godley and his wife Patty bought the 17Hundred90 Inn and Restaurant in historic downtown Savannah.

On Sunday, July 23, Rabbi Robert Haas will address the Asbury UMC congregation. Haas is a native of McAllen, Texas. He holds a BS from the University of Texas at Austin, and he attended Hebrew Union College, receiving his rabbinic ordination in 2002. After spending a year of service in Africa, Haas came to Savannah five years ago to be the 14^th spiritual leader of Congregation Mickve Israel, one of the oldest Jewish congregations in the United States. Haas and Asbury Memorial UMC Reverend Bill Hester have collaborated on Savannah Gathering interfaith events for several years.

This exciting summer series continues Sunday, July 30 with the 2016 Georgia Teacher of the Year and Asbury Memorial UMC congregation member, Ernie Lee. Lee has practiced law for more than 20 years. He worked as an instructor for the Georgia Departments of Revenue and Human Resources and the Technical College System of Georgia before becoming an in-house lawyer for SCAD in 2003. Changing careers in 2010, Lee became a public-school teacher. His goal was to make a lasting and positive impact on the lives of others. He currently teaches international baccalaureate history and AP psychology at Windsor Forest High School in Savannah. He was named 2016 Georgia Teacher of the Year and traveled across both the state and country as an ambassador for the teaching profession. In 2017, Lee was awarded a prestigious teaching fellowship at the Smithsonian Institute.

C.S. Lewis will be in the midst of the Asbury Memorial congregation on Sunday, Aug. 6 when Bob Hereford speaks. Hereford is a life-long resident of Waycross, where he is a member of Trinity UMC. In 1990, he founded Cumberland Consulting Company to help employers reduce insurance costs. He recently served as executive director of the Waycross County Development Authority. In 1988, Hereford began a study of C.S. Lewis and his writing and has done a characterization of Lewis for over 25 years. He is currently writing a book about Lewis and his journey from atheism to belief, with an emphasis on three of Lewis’ books and a sermon. Hereford’s wife, Patricia, was born in Savannah. 

Join The Rev. Jonathan (Jon) Chapman on Sunday, Aug. 13. Reverend Chapman graduated from Candler School of Theology, Emory University, in May 2010. At Candler, he was active with the Office of Worship and was awarded the Hoyt Hickman Award for Outstanding Liturgical Scholarship. He returned to Emory in 2016 to pursue his Doctor of Ministry. In 2012, he joined Westfield Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, and was installed as Pastor and Teacher in May 2013. He was selected to be part of the Next Generation Leadership Initiative, an innovative UCC program that works with young clergy committed to parish ministry through a decade-long relationship.

This series concludes Sunday, Aug. 20 with The Rev. Sharon Risher. Risher was catapulted into the limelight after the Charleston, S.C., shooting at the Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church on June 17, 2015. Her beloved mother, the church’s sexton, Mrs. Ethel Lee Lance, was killed, along with eight others, including two cousins and a childhood friend. Risher is traveling extensively to major universities, colleges, and churches around the country telling her personal journey of loss, faith, forgiveness, racism, and gun violence prevention.

“Prayers and vigils are not enough. As people of faith, we must be ready to stand up for what is good for all people,” Risher said.

Asbury Pastor Rev. Billy Hester, who will be on summer sabbatical during the speaker series, returns to Asbury Memorial UMC on Sunday, Aug. 27 with a special music and arts worship service.

“Our church congregation is in for a real treat with this summer preaching series,” Hester said. “I feel at peace going on sabbatical knowing our congregation will be hearing the word of God from all of these wonderful people and I am grateful to these individuals for sharing their experiences and knowledge with Asbury Memorial UMC.”