Julia Fogg

THOUSAND OAKS, CA - Senior Fest 2012 will cover topics ranging from computer basics to community gardening at California Lutheran University on Tuesday, Feb. 28.

With the theme of “Loving God When We’re Well & Loving God When We or Someone We Love Is Ill,” the event will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Thousand Oaks university. Senior Fest brings Lutheranstogether for learning, devotions and fellowship to enhance their physical, spiritual, social and intellectual lives.

Keynote speaker Marva J. Dawn, an internationally renowned theologian and author, will make presentations at 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. in Samuelson Chapel. Dawn leads the nonprofit Christians Equipped for Ministry in its mission to prepare professionals and lay people for deeper Bible study and more active involvement in Christian life and ministry. A popular speaker for people of all ages, the Washington resident has preached and taught at seminaries, clergy conferences, churches, assemblies and universities throughout the world. She continues despite severe health issues, including a leg amputation that she discusses as a way to share her faith and convictions. Dawn has written more than 20 books, several of which have wonawards and been translated into languages including Chinese, Korean and Portuguese. She is a teaching fellow in spiritual theology at Regent College in Vancouver and holds four master’s degrees and a doctorate.

Senior Fest also will include lunch and workshops on Lutheran theology, charitable giving and “Faith, Justice and the Politics of Empire.” Presenters include CLU religion faculty members R. Guy Erwin and Julia Fogg and administrators Sue Bauer, Rich Holmes, Shannon Yasman and Howie Wennes.

The Association of Lutheran Older Adults, an inter-Lutheran movement based in Baltimore, started the Senior Fest events. A group of church leaders formed the organization in the early 1990s to help prepare for the “age wave.”

Registration is $25 until Feb. 20 and $30 after that date. To register, go to http://www.callutheran.edu/seniorfest. For more information, contact Linda LeBlanc in the Church Relations Office at 805-493-3936 or leblanc@callutheran.edu.