Stillman will hold its fall Religious Emphasis Series Wednesday, October 26 and Thursday, October 27 at 11 a.m. daily in Birthright Auditorium. The Reverend Dr. A. Elaine Crawford will serve as the guest speaker for both days.

Dr. Crawford has a rich and varied background within the field of theology that encompasses the areas of administration, teaching, preaching, lecturing, writing, and ministry.

Dr. Crawford’s experience in the educational arena has been numerous. She has served as an Adjunct Professor of Theology at Samuel Dewitt Procter School of Theology. Dr. Crawford served as a Visiting Scholar for the Center for Christian Women in Richmond, Virginia. She has been employed by Spellman College in Atlanta, Georgia as both Adjunct Professor of Religion and as Assistant Professor of Religion. She served as the Coordinator of the Womanist Scholars Program for the Office of Black Women in Church and Society at the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC). In addition to her parish responsibilities, Dr. Crawford teaches at the ITC in the area of theology, and ethics. She was a part of an ITC faculty cluster that developed curriculum for HBCU’s that addresses issues of environmental racism.  Additionally, Dr Crawford has taught in the Course of Study Program at Candler Theological Seminary and partnered with the Association of Black Cardiologist to write a manual on the Healthy Heart. Dr Crawford contributed the spiritual aspects of Health throughout the manual.

Dr. Crawford is an ordained Elder in Full connection in the North Georgia Conference. She served at Ousley UMC for one year, and on the staff and as an Associate Pastor at Ben Hill United Methodist Church for six years. Dr Crawford was appointed as Sr. Pastor of Cumberland UMC June 15, 2007 and served in that capacity for three years. She was appointed to the historic Cascade UMC in June of 2010 where she serves as the Pastor of Programs. Dr Crawford is vice chair of North Georgia Black Clergy Women, serves on the Advocacy Team, Ethic Local Church Concerns Committee, and Committee on Race and Religion. She has also served on the Committee on Superintendence for the Atlanta Marietta District of the North Georgia Conference. Dr Crawford also serves as a Leadership Resource Consultant to young Black female seminarians in the Black Women in Ministerial Leadership Program at ITC.

Dr. Crawford has preached extensively both nationally and internationally. She was a keynote preacher for the renowned Sandy F. Ray Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, preacher for the Ellison Convocation, Samuel Dewitt Procter School of Theology, and Lecturer at Trinity College, Accra in Ghana West Africa.

Dr. Crawford has extensive list of publications including devotional commentaries, books, articles, and book reviews. Her publications include “Identity Check: Job’s Daughters” and “Those Preaching Women: Phillip’s Daughters” which were published in the Women of Color and Aspire Study Bibles.  Her book, Hope in the Holler, was published by Westminster John Knox and has been well received in the academy and the church. The book explores the Theology of Hope in the narratives of Black women and is a seminal work in the area of Womanist Theology.

Dr. Crawford has completed several degrees - notably the Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona; the Master of Divinity from the Samuel Dewitt Procter School of Theology where she graduated summa cum laude (Valedictorian). Dr Crawford is the first African American woman to earn, a Doctor of Philosophy (PH.D) in Historical and Theological Studies from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond Virginia. Her awards and honors are numerous and include the Howard James Theological Award and the Funds for Theological Education Benjamin E. Mays Scholars Fellowship.  Dr. Crawford is a member of several boards and committees and is very active in the community.

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