The Community of Christ Historic Sites Foundation offers four free online lectures beginning 5 November through 3 December. All lectures are given at 7p.m. CST
5 November Lecture with Annie Falcke
True Grit: The Glaud Rodger Story
Glaud Rodger was a Scottish Latter Day Saint who first encountered the restored gospel in the very early years of the Restoration. He would go on to become one of the Reorganization's hardest working missionaries with a career spanning 40 years and 4 continents. Glaud and his wife, Mattie, overcame disillusionment, adversity, and extended separation as they followed the call to service. This lecture will follow the incredible life of Glaud Rodger from Scotland to England, Salt Lake City to California, Tahiti to Australia, and the powerful testimony that carried him through.
12 November Lecture with Gregory Edwards
“A Life of the Mind”: Reflections on the Life and Legacy of Paul M. Edwards with Gregory Edwards
Join us as we welcome Gregory Edwards, author of the new biography, A Life of the Mind: An Intimate Biography of Paul M. Edwards. Paul Edwards made a significant impact on the Community of Christ experience through his contributions as an educator, historian, philosopher, poet, and administrator. As the great-grandson of Joseph Smith, Jr. and Emma Hale Smith, Paul struggled with the uncomfortable expectations placed on him as a Smith family descendant. Despite the heavy Smith descendant mantel placed on his shoulders, Paul forged his own path in life that included academic achievements, philosophical pursuits, numerous publications, and a successful career in academia. Paul’s inquisitive mind continued to expand while he served as a soldier in combat during the Korean War, pursued professional challenges as a Graceland University professor, leader in the church history community, director of Temple School, and founder of the Center for the Study of the Korean War.
19 November Lecture with Mareva Arnaud Tchong
“Your Story is Church History” with Mareva Arnaud Tchong
Join Community of Christ presiding evangelist, Mareva Arnaud Tchong as she adds her unique life story to our growing collection of “Your Story is Church History” programs, a storyteller series that began in 2024. Past storytellers include Everett Graffeo, Stassi Cramm, Janné Grover, Bunda Chibwe, Andrew Bolton, Janné Grover and now Mareva Arnaud-Tchong. Mareva serves as at the presiding evangelist in Community of Christ. Mareva was the first woman called to serve as president of the French Polynesia Mission Center. In 2013, Mareva was called to serve as an apostle in Community of Christ, a role she served until she was ordained Presiding Evangelist in 2025.
3 December Lecture with Patty Bacon
Witness in Wood: Deer Park’s Grand Pavilion with Patty Bacon
The Mid-Atlantic Mission Center’s campgrounds, Deer Park, sits on a hilltop near New Hope, PA, 35 miles from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA On the crown of the hill is an 88’ pavilion, called the “Auditorium” by the Saints and the “Grand Pavilion” by the local community. Though only 150 years old, the story of this building is one of shared history with those who came centuries before it was built, before it became a center for a Saints’ community in 1921. It includes the history of other religious groups, and echoes of our church’s history—the founding of intentional community in a new place, and struggles with its neighbors.