By Amanda Bradshaw Sharpe
University Relations

MURFREESBORO – Chowan University will host the 12th annual SeniorFEST on March 20 from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm on the University campus.

The annual SeniorFEST, a senior-adult event held each spring on the historic campus, highlights healthy lifestyles, Christian living, and sheds light on issues facing senior-adults today. With special guest speakers, informative breakout sessions, live musical entertainment, classic southern buffet and door prizes, SeniorFEST offers a day full of fellowship and fun for individuals or groups.

This year, SeniorFEST will bring in guest speaker Susan Sparks. She is a trial lawyer, turned standup comedian and Baptist minister. Reverend Sparks is America’s only female comedian with a pulpit. She currently serves as Senior Pastor of the historic Madison Avenue Baptist Church in New York City, the first female pastor in the 165-year history.

Sparks attended Union Theological Seminary in New York City where she earned a Master of Divinity and wrote an honors thesis on humor and religion. She tours as a professional comedian, and has been featured in O Magazine, the New York Times, on CBS, CNN, and ABC.  She is a nationally known motivational speaker.

Sparks is a blogger for Huffington Post, Psychology Today, Baptist News Global, and Day 1. She received an award from Intersections International for promoting reconciliation among diverse communities through her comedy. Her book, Laugh Your Way to Grace: Reclaiming the Spiritual Power of Humor was named the best spiritual books of 2010 and has sold over 20,000 copies.

There will be breakout sessions covering topics related to depression in seniors, living a healthy lifestyle, poetry of rural North Carolina, fun with fitness, aging services, and ways to support missions without leaving the church.These breakout sessions will be held between 11:15 am and 12:15 pm, offering an array of options to appeal to all interests. Following the breakout sessions lunch will be hosted in the Thomas Dining Hall.

Pre-registration is required. For more information, contact Lou Ann Gilliam, Director of Church and Community Relations, at (252) 398-6317 or seniorfest@chowan.edu.