Feb 28 Saturday
Historian Kristin Kobes Du Mez – New York Times best-selling author of “Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation” – will speak at the 2026 Darrell West Lecture on Religion and Politics. The event will take place on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 7 p.m. at Central Congregational Church in Providence (296 Angell Street / centralchurch.us). The lecture is free and open to the public.
Dr. Du Mez’s lecture will address the intersection between religion and politics in 21st-Century America. The speech will follow a welcome by series sponsor / moderator Darrell M. West, Brookings Institution senior fellow, former Brown University professor, and Central Congregational Church member. The evening will conclude with a question-and-answer forum open to the audience and book signing.
Dr. Du Mez is a professor of history at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Mich., where she holds the William Spoelhof Teacher-Scholar-in-Residence Chair. She is also a Senior Democracy Fellow with the Public Religion Research Institute and a fellow of the Center for Philosophy of Religion at the University of Notre Dame, where she received her Ph.D. She previously taught at Calvin Theological Seminary and Williams College.
Her most recent book, “Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation,” analyzes how the so-called Christian nationalism of many white evangelicals has led them to embrace rugged masculinity, patriarchal family values, and fear of Islam – while developing a quest for political power and an aggressive foreign policy agenda. Her next book “Live, Laugh, Love” is expected in September 2026.
Dr. Du Mez also writes a regular Substack column, defending our democracy and exploring connections between religion, gender, and politics. Her op-ed pieces have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Christianity Today – and she has been interviewed on NPR, CBS, BBC, and other broadcast outlets.
Mar 01 Sunday
Step back into the vibrant world of the 1920s and 1930s with Jazz Age Illustration, a major exhibition exploring the art of popular illustration during this transformative era. Featuring over 100 works by renowned artists such as Aaron Douglas, John Held Jr., and Frank E. Schoonover, the exhibition delves into the cultural impact of illustration during a time of dramatic social change.
Organized by the Delaware Art Museum, Jazz Age Illustration is the first major exhibition to survey the art of popular illustration in the United States between 1919 and 1942—a vibrant and transformative era of innovation, evolving styles, social change, and expanding popular media.
Each service includes an uplifting talk that touches on real-life experiences—like relationships, resilience, and personal growth—offering down-to-earth reflections to help you navigate life with clarity, compassion, and a sense of connection.
The healing portion of the service begins with a peaceful, guided meditation accompanied by live harp music, creating a calm and supportive space. Those who wish may then receive gentle, hands-on energy healing from certified Spiritualist healers while seated.
The service concludes with a demonstration of mediumship from the podium, where the medium shares messages from loved ones in spirit. These brief, heartfelt messages are intended to provide evidence of the continuity of life and offer comfort, healing, and connection.
Mar 02 Monday
The Northampton Scrabble Club prides itself on being a welcoming group where the priority is on FUN, not strict competition. Come in at any point in the evening and we'll get you in a game! Some players stay for one game, others for multiple games. We have a wide variety of skill levels represented, so come join the fun!
Mar 03 Tuesday
Second part of the community conversation and workshop series focusing on oral history research
Join local author M.J. Beasi, in conversation with local author Louangie Bou-Montes, for a memorable event celebrating the release of I WAS A TEENAGE DEATH GOD, a new contemporary fantasy adventure starring nonbinary teen Charlie, who can't touch anyone without stealing seconds of their life away.
High Five Books will be on site so that you can purchase a copy of M.J.'s debut novel and have it signed by the author!
Recommended for youth and adults ages 12 and up. Registration encouraged, email youthdept@ewmlibrary.org or call 413-527-1031.
Mar 04 Wednesday
WWII intrigue meets the art of storytelling in a behind-the-scenes conversation with acclaimed YA authors Claudia Friddell and Kip Wilson.
Join us at Holyoke Community College’s Kittridge Center on Wednesday, March 4 for an engaging, behind-the-scenes conversation with acclaimed YA and middle grade authors Claudia Friddell and Kip Wilson. From the intrigue of WWII spycraft to the craft of writing for young readers, they’ll explore their latest books, The Mysterious Virginia Hall and Backpack, Boy, Berlin, reveal how they research and build new stories, and share how their experiences as educators continue to shape their work. Don’t miss this lively evening of history, creativity, and inspiration.
This program is sponsored in part by the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Eastern Region Program, coordinated by Waynesburg University; the Massachusetts Center for the Book; and Holyoke Community College.