Three events planned to honor the Rev. Dr. Katie Geneva Cannon’s legacy

Scholarly papers, luncheon, portrait unveiling among them

by Mike Ferguson | Presbyterian News Service

The Rev. Dr. Katie Geneva Cannon delivering the keynote lecture at the 2017 Women in Ministry Conference at Princeton Theological Seminary. (Photo courtesy of Princeton Theological Seminary)

LOUISVILLE — During the coming weeks a number of varied events will occur at and around Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, Va., to honor the enduring legacy of the Rev. Dr. Katie Geneva Cannon.

Cannon, a groundbreaking theologian who was the first black woman to be ordained in the forerunner to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), died in August 2018 at the age of 68.

In partnership with the institution Cannon founded, the Katie Geneva Cannon Center for Womanist Leadership, the seminary is honoring her in a special edition of the journal “Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology.” Contributors to the journal will present their papers during the Corine Lytle Cannon Colloquy from 7-8:30 p.m. April 4 at the Early Center on Union’s campus. A reception beginning at 6 p.m. precedes the colloquy. Scheduled to present are Drs. Alison Gise-Johnson, Charlene Jin Lee, Angela Sims, Linda Thomas, Emilie Townes, and Rev. Andrew Taylor-Troutman. Register for the free event here.

The Katie Geneva Cannon Legacy Luncheon is set for 11 a.m. through 1 p.m. April 27 at First Presbyterian Church, 820 Colonial Ave. in Norfolk, Va. The sponsor of the $30 luncheon is the Union Presbyterian Seminary Black Alumni Association. The speaker will be the Rev. Dr. Yvonne Delk, the first African-American woman to be ordained in the United Church of Christ. Purchase tickets here.

A portrait described as a “visual legacy of Cannon’s transformational presence as a teacher, mentor, scholar and friend” will be unveiled during the seminary’s Sprunt Lectures. The unveiling is will be held in Rose Hall at the Early Center at 2:30 p.m. May 7.

The Presbyterian Mission Fund has created a scholarship fund to honor Cannon’s name and legacy. The Woman’s Ministry Fund (E049991) supports Presbyterian women of color, clergywomen, college women and other women with opportunities for leadership and spiritual development as well as mission opportunities in the PC (USA).

To donate, click here. To send a check, please make it payable to “Presbyterian Mission Agency” with “In memory of Rev. Dr. Katie Geneva Cannon — E049991” on the memo line. Mail gifts to Presbyterian Church (USA), P.O. Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700.