Community Worship: Rev. Dr. Simangaliso Kumalo

Lakeside is honored to welcome Rev. Dr. Simangaliso Kumalo as Preacher of the Week June 11-15. Kumalo is the Acting Dean of the School of Religion, Philosophy, and Classics at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal in Scottsville, South Africa. He also serves as the Director of the Centre for Constructive Theology. This week’s preacher is supported by Rev. Dr. Ned & Shirley DeWire Endowment. 

Kumalo will lead the 10:30 a.m. Chautauqua Community Worship Service on Sunday, June 11 in Hoover Auditorium.

Michael Shirtz and guest artists will provide musical leadership during the service, while the liturgy will be led by Rev. Dr. Charles Yoost, Senior Director of Religious Life & Pastoral Care.

Following the opening prayer, children (ages 5-11) will proceed to Bradley Temple for Children’s Church with Chip Richter. There will be a message by Richter, songs, crafts, lemonade and cookies to share. Preschoolers are welcome if accompanied by an adult. 

Kumalo received a Bachelor of Theology Degree from the University of Natal, South Africa; his masters degree from the University of South Africa, and his Ph.D. from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal in Theology and Development. His thesis was entitled, Education for Social Transformation in South Africa: A Methodist Approach.  He has pastored the Howick Methodist Church, Ivory Park Methodist Church, Central City Mission Yase Thekwini, and Brentwood Methodist Church, all in South Africa.  He has authored five books, including Legends of African Methodism:  A Study of Sixty Leaders produced by Methodism in South Africa, published in 2019.

He has been with the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal for over two decades, having been first appointed as full-time Lecturer in Practical Theology and Christian Education in 2002. According to Kumalo, “My duty as an educator is to emphasize active inquiry as a way of allowing students to grow up into mature, independent thinkers who critically reflect on the realities and social relations of their society and be change agents by dismantling injustice and making it a fairer society for all… My teaching philosophy emerges from my firm belief in the transformative power of theological education.” 

Join Kumalo for Faith for Living Hour at 9 a.m. Monday-Thursday in Orchestra Hall. He will also give the sermon at Vespers by the Lake at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Steele Memorial Bandstand. 

Guests are welcome to attend Community Worship free of charge by requesting a complimentary Church Pass between 7:30-10:30 a.m. Sunday; valid until 1 p.m. The pass includes admittance for guests and auto. This pass must be presented to the gate attendant upon departure. If the time allotted is exceeded, the guest(s) will be charged a fee. This pass does not include access to the Grindley Aquatic & Wellness Campus pool. Complimentary passes are available for all worship services and Faith for Living Hour.