With Father David Peck
and Professor Randall Zachman

Entirely on Zoom

Now in its seventh year, the 2026 Mercy Seminar invites you to explore the profound insights that different faith traditions offer about embracing life and navigating death with grace. How can the certainty of death inspire us to cultivate a deeper focus and a heart full of gratitude, transforming potential feelings of anxiety into a courageous appreciation for the present moment? Is death merely “nothing at all,” or does it open the gateway to an eternal adventure beyond this life?

Join us as we delve into selected sacred readings from Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim scriptures, along with enlightening contemporary secular spiritual writings. Together, we will uncover the wisdom that encourages us to live our best lives and face death not with fear, but with hope and understanding.

In term three (September 24 – October 29), we will focus on Christian understandings of resurrection and eternal life, beginning with the hope of future resurrection life in Paul’s letters and the expectation of eternal life now in the Gospel of John. We will follow the development of these themes in Christian and Spiritualist traditions, including Emanuel Swedenborg’s provocative visions of the soul’s journey after death.

Classes meet on six consecutive Thursday evenings via Zoom from 7:00 to 8:30 PM EST. Each term stands alone, but when taken together, offers a layered understanding as our knowledge of the issues increases. All sessions are recorded and available to participants for asynchronous viewing.

Each session will be recorded in Zoom and available for viewing for those who have completed their registration.

Cost: $75/term, includes access to course readings, recorded sessions for
asynchronous viewing, instructor office hours and podcasts.

Scholarships are available; please email Kate Umble Smucker for more information.

Click here to register for Term 3.