Tutu Lenten Series

Six Week Lenten Series on

Desmond Tutu's Spirituality

(Reflecting on the book "Desmond Tutu: A Spiritual Biography of South Africa's Confessor")

Presented by the author

Michael Battle

and

a South African Team (Rene August, Althea Banda-Hansmann and Edwin Arrison)

Thursdays, Starting March 3rd, 2022

7:30 PM to 9:00 PM (South African Time)

12:30 PM to 2:00 PM ( US/Canada Eastern)

11:30 AM to 1:00 PM ( US/Canada Central)

Sponsored by

Using Desmond Tutu’s spiritual and life journey as a mirror to see God, other humans, the rest of creation, and yourself more clearly, we will deepen belief and engage in creative action for justice, reconciliation, and peace. 

Join us for a weekly Lenten Program where the Very Rev. Michael Battle and a South African team will lead us to learn about Tutu's spiritual practice that was the foundation upon which his heroic life rested. Rev. Dr. Michael Battle and the SA team will reveal insights they learned from Archbishop Tutu over several decades of the Archbishop's life, witness and ministry.

This series will focus on the spirituality of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, within the framework of the mystical cycle of Purgation, Illumination and Union. Throughout the six weeks, participants will be exposed to various spiritual exercises, ubuntu circles and spiritual music. There will be time for sharing. The series will be presented by the Very Rev. Michael Battle, Ph.D. (USA), Rev Rene August, Althea Banda-Hansmann and Rev Edwin Arrison (South Africa).

The series schedule and topics are:

• March 3rd: Purgation - What do we need to be purged of to move closer to God? How did this happen in Desmond Tutu's life?
• March 10th: Purgation, part 2

• March 17th: Illumination - What were the sources of illumination in Desmond Tutu's life? How can we access them?
• March 24th: Illumination, part 2

• March 31st: Union - How did Tutu experience union with God? How can we experience union with God?
• April 7th: Union, part 2

Each session will begin with spiritual exercises led by Althea Banda-Hansmann, Edwin Arrison and Michael Battle will present, followed by contemplative silence and other spiritual exercises. There will be additional presentations by Rene August on Tutu's approach to God's Word. Group-work along with time of sharing will round out each session.

Presenters:

Very Rev. Michael Battle, Ph.D.:

A featured keynote speaker and leader of many clergy and lay retreats, Rev. Battle is currently appointed as Herbert Thompson Professor of Church and Society and Director of the Desmond Tutu Center at General Theological Seminary in New York,

In his PeaceBattle Institute he works on subjects of diversity, spirituality, prayer, race and reconciliation. He has also served as chaplain to Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Congressman John Lewis, the House of Bishops and, in 2008, was chaplain to the Lambeth Conference of Anglican Bishops. 

Rev. Battle has published eleven books, including his latest: Desmond Tutu: A Spiritual Biography of South Africa’s Confessor. He has an undergraduate degree from Duke University, received his master’s of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, a master’s of Sacred Theology from Yale University and a PhD in theology and ethics, also from Duke University. He was ordained a priest by Archbishop Tutu in 1993.

Click here to read more on Michael Battle's website.

Rev. Rene August: