The Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, will deliver the inaugural Robert N. Bellah Lecture on Religion and Public Life, hosted by the Graduate Theological Union. The lecture will take place on April 9 at the First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley.

As the first woman elected as diocesan bishop in Washington, Budde is the spiritual and administrative leader of 86 churches throughout Washington D.C. and Maryland, including Washington National Cathedral. She is the author of three books, including the New York Times bestseller How we Learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith, published in 2023.

With her address, Bishop Budde will launch an annual lecture established through a partnership between the Bellah Legacy Group and the Graduate Theological Union to preserve, build on, sustain, and promote awareness of the corpus and legacy of renowned sociologist Robert N. Bellah’s work within a contemporary context. This special event is co-sponsored and supported by the Graduate Theological Union, the family of Robert N. Bellah, the Bellah Legacy Group, the UC Berkeley Center for the Study of Religion and the Henry Luce Foundation, Grace Cathedral, and an anonymous donor.

Event Details

Registration: In-person registration is available on a first-come first-served basis and is limited to 500 guests. A livestreaming option will be available to those who wish to attend online. Click here to register.

Location: First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley [2407 Dana Avenue] 

About Robert N. Bellah

Robert N. Bellah (1927–2013) was a renowned sociologist of religion best known for exploring the intersection of religion and society. He spent much of his academic career at the University of California, Berkeley, where he served as the Elliott Professor of Sociology. Bellah’s scholarship emphasized the role of religion in shaping cultural and social frameworks, most notably in his landmark book Habits of the Heart, which examined individualism and community in American life. His magnum opus, Religion in Human Evolution, traced the development of religious consciousness from early human history. Bellah maintained close ties with the Graduate Theological Union, often engaging with its interdisciplinary and interfaith community to bridge sociological and theological perspectives. His work continues to inspire scholars in sociology, religious studies, and beyond, offering profound insights into how religion shapes human understanding and society.

About the Graduate Theological Union

Founded in 1962, the Graduate Theological Union cultivates interreligious understanding and courageous partnerships to foster spirituality-grounded action in the creation of a just and loving world. With degree programs that include a PhD and MA, certificate offerings, access to one of the world’s finest theological libraries, and cross-registration with UC Berkeley, the GTU offers students higher education experiences that cannot be found anywhere else. To learn more, visit gtu.edu.