Preaching in the Purple Zone: Ministry in the Red-Blue Divide, Dr. Leah Schade’s latest book, will soon be available at Reformation’s church library! Leah Schade began her ministry right here at Reformation, where she first served as a seminarian under the Rev. Larry Smoose before becoming Associate Pastor. A multi-talented person, many remember her harp music, her initiation of the mentoring program for confirmation students, the Sunday lunchtime program, “Music in the Park” (Who knew one could find theology in songs by the Black-Eyed Peas?), and more!
Her strong interest in ecology led her back to seminary to pursue a doctorate in Eco-theology and to her first book, Creation-Crisis Preaching: Ecology, Theology, and the Pulpit. (Also available in Reformation’s library!)
Leah Schade has been pastor of three diverse congregations, Reformation, which she describes in this book as “affluent-suburban,” Spirit and Truth Worship Center in Yeadon, PA, a primarily African-American congregation, and a rural church up-state in Lewisburg, PA. She is currently a professor at Lexington Theological Seminary in Lexington, KY.
You’ll find an excellent review of her latest book in the August 28 issue of Christian Century Magazine, which is also available in our church library!