The Advent and Lenten Preaching Colloquia have been staples of ICJS programming since their introduction in 1994-95. The only Institute program designed exclusively for Christian clergy, the Colloquia have as their primary focus Christian preaching and the liturgical use of sacred scripture. In part, the Colloquia address the centuries-old problem that an uncritical reading of the Gospels all too often leads to negative descriptions of the Jewish people and a diminished under-standing of the continuing vitality of Judaism. The Colloquia seek to assist Christian clergy as they try to preach the core Christian narrative in ways that do not enshrine misconcep-tions of Judaism and the Jewish people.

Advent Colloquium: In November 1998, Dr. Rosann Catalano and Rabbi David Sandmel led participants in a text study of the Lectionary readings for the first Sunday in Advent. They were followed by Dr. Gary Vikan, Director of the Walters Art Gallery, who offered a slide presentation on images of the Nativity, and the Rev. John Roberts of Woodbrook Baptist Church, who led a discussion on strategies for "preaching the shepherds" during this Christian holy season.

Lenten Colloquium: Dr. Frances Gench, Associate Professor of Biblical Studies at Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary, provided biblical background and addressed preaching issues that sur-face in the Johannine texts read on the third, fourth, and fifth Sundays of Lent.