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C.S. Lewis Festival – Petoskey, Michigan to Explore Author’s Experiences and Philosophies of War

Fall Grand Rapids_33755667-f345-4a85-9d69-933633d332b2British author C.S. Lewis served in the armed forces in World War I and wrote some of his well-known works during and shortly after World War II. This year, the C.S. Lewis Festival explores Lewis’ thoughts on war as well as how war affected Lewis’ beliefs and writings.

Dr. Joseph Loconte will deliver the keynote address at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, October 23 in the Petoskey Middle School auditorium. The event is part of the Manthei Speaker Series. Loconte is the author of the recent book A Hobbit, a Wardrobe, and a Great War: How J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis rediscovered faith, friendship and heroism in the cataclysm of 1914-1918. Other C. S. Lewis Festival speakers include Dr. Tony Campolo, Dr. David Downing and Dr. Crystal Downing.

Campolo, a renowned sociologist, pastor, author and international speaker, will deliver a lecture titled “Lewis and War” Monday, October 19 at 7:30 p.m. in the Petoskey Middle School auditorium. Campolo is known for founding the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education as well as the church-based child sponsorship program Compassion International.

Emmanuel Episcopal Church will host a discussion of a book Campolo co-authored with Brian D. McLaren, Adventures in Missing the Point, on Tuesdays, through October 26 at 7:00 pm. Other book discussions will examine A Hobbit, a Wardrobe, and a Great War, as well as The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. Details are available on the C. S. Lewis Festival website.

Prior to the keynote address on October 23, Loconte will discuss his book at a luncheon at Stafford’s Bay View Inn, beginning at 12:00 pm. Those wishing to attend may contact The Inn at (231) 347-2771; the cost of the luncheon is $25 per person. There will be a book signing following the luncheon at 2:00 pm at McLean & Eakin Booksellers, located in downtown Petoskey.

A seminar on Saturday, October 24 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm will feature Loconte, David and Crystal Downing, and Sarah Arthur, author and co-founder of the festival. The theme of the seminar is “C.S. Lewis and War.” Attendees may register for a full day for $50, which includes lunch, or for a half day for $30. Registration is available through the C.S. Lewis Festival website.

More information is available on the C.S. Lewis Festival website at www.cslewisfestival.org.

The C.S. Lewis Festival is a donor-supported nonprofit organization. Major sponsors include Manthei, Inc, the Wally & Margy Kidd Family, Crouse Entertainment Group and the Great Lakes Energy People’s Fund.