2026 Sprunt Lectures
Join us May 4-6 in Richmond for the 116th Sprunt Lecture Series
Annual Gathering For Pastors & Christian Leaders
The Sprunt Lectures are UPSem’s signature annual event, and one of the longest-running theological lecture series in the country. Pastors, alumni, scholars, neighbors, and Christian leaders gather in Richmond each year for lectures, worship, storytelling, conversation, and connection.
Dr. Gregory Ellison
Dr. Gregory C. Ellison II is an Associate Professor of Transformative Leadership at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, where he earned tenure after joining the faculty following his graduate studies. A Presidential Scholar at Princeton Theological Seminary, Gregory received both the Master of Divinity and Ph.D. in Pastoral Theology. At Emory, he has been recognized with multiple teaching honors, including Faculty Person of the Year and the Emory Williams Distinguished Teaching Award, the university’s highest teaching distinction. Gregory is the author of Cut Dead But Still Alive: Caring for African American Young Men and Fearless Dialogues: A New Movement for Justice, and editor of Anchored in the Current: Discovering Howard Thurman as Educator, Activist, Guide, and Prophet. An ordained Baptist minister, Gregory has served on ministerial staffs in both Methodist and Presbyterian contexts. He is married to Antoinette Greenaway-Ellison and is the father of two children.
Meet Gregory
Rev. Anna George Traynham, '14
Rev. Anna George Traynham is the senior pastor of Shallowford Presbyterian Church, in Atlanta, Georgia, where she has served since the fall of 2019. She is originally from the small town of Fountain Inn, South Carolina, and she studied music and religion at Presbyterian College (’11). She holds an M.Div from Union Presbyterian Seminary (’14) , and an MBA from The Citadel Graduate College (’19). Prior to her role at Shallowford, Anna served as a resident pastor and then an associate pastor at Central Presbyterian Church in Atlanta. She is married to Blake, and they have two young children. Anna has been honored to preach and lead worship for several denominational gatherings, including the Montreat Summer Worship series, Montreat Worship and Music Conference, National Alliance of Presbyterian Clergywomen, and Massanetta Bible and Church Music Conference.
Meet Anna
Overview of Events
Explore the day-by-day flow of the Sprunt Lectures below. More details are coming soon!
Monday
We Are Union Fair with refreshments
Choir Rehearsal
Registration
BAA Lunch and Trailblazer Award
BAA Annual Meeting
Lecture 1: Questing with Questions
Storytelling Happy Hour
Alum-led Dinners
Tuesday
Coffee Break
Morning Groups
Late Registration
Breakfast
Opening Worship: Acts 16-34
Lecture 2: The Working Paper
Coffee Break
Panel Discussion
Lunch on Campus
Discussion Time/Activity
Book Signings
Choir Rehearsal
Alum-led Dinners
Wednesday
Coffee Break
Morning Groups
Breakfast
Lecture 3/Closing Plenary: Growing in Love
Coffee
Creation Meditation/Reflection
Closing Worship: Philippians 1:1-11
Distinguished Alum and Rising Star Lunch
Hotel Information
The Berkley
1200 E Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23219
Beautiful downtown location; Various room options; $40 parking fee
Reserve by April 3 to lock in discounted rates.
Residence Inn by Marriott
5416 Glenside Dr, Richmond, VA 23228
10-15 min drive west of UPSem campus; King Suites with a pullout couch and kitchenette
Reserve by April 12 to lock in discounted rates.
