Mere Christians
A C.S. Lewis Conference
May 2-3, 2025
Church of the Messiah
241 N. Main St.
Winter Garden, FL 34787
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The Mere Christians C. S. Lewis Conference gladly presents a Call For Papers for the upcoming gathering in Winter Garden, FL. Our orienting theme, “Surprised By Love,” will guide us into the heart of Lewis’s life and work, with keynote talks on Till We Have Faces, Surprised by Joy, and The Great Divorce.
We encourage a wide variety of paper topics, though all papers should illuminate the conference central theme, “Surprised by Love,” and relate to at least one of the texts under consideration (the more the better!).
Suggested topics include but are not limited to:
- Problems and issues in (auto)biographical accounts of Lewis
- Love in Lewis’s works (esp. TGD, TWHF, & SBJ)
- Surprise
- Joy
- Strangeness, friendship, theophany, theodicy, apologetics (esp. of imaginative and narrative approaches)
- Romanticism, romantic theology, philosophy of love, rhetorical approaches, and
- Explorations of the theme in Lewis’s poetry.
The conference will focus on honing the next generation of Lewis scholars through our “BanderTrack” sessions, including paper presentations, feedback sessions for participating Lewis scholars, and a live interactive Q&A session with Journal of Inklings Studies Managing Editor, Dr. Norbert Feinendegen.
Abstract submissions should be anonymous (no names on submissions, please) and between 300 and 500 words for 20 minute presentations, followed by 5 minutes of Q&A. The conference committee will review abstract submissions on a rolling basis between February 1 and April 1.
We’re actively pursuing publication opportunities for select conference proceedings.
Deadline, March 31.
Please send any queries to Michael Oppizzi at michaeloppizzi@gmail.com or Annie Nardone at the.annie.nardone@gmail.com.
How do I attend?
Click here to register to attend!
How do I sign up to present or lead a session?
Have something to say about C. S. Lewis? Submit a 300-word proposal to Rev’d Andrew.
Where is the conference?
Church of the Messiah, 241 N Main Street,Winter Garden, FL 34787
When is the conference?
Friday, May 2nd, beginning at 2pm and Saturday, May 3rd, ending at 7pm.
Are meals included?
YES! Friday Dinner, Saturday Lunch, Saturday Tea, Saturday Narnian Banquet (Saturday Breakfast on your own)
Is there a Children’s Track?
YES — reading age children ages 7 – 12. There are children’s tickets available as an option through our Eventbrite registration.
Are Scholarships available?
Yes! Contact Rev’d Andrew if you know someone who wants to come but needs some help.
What if I arrive early? Will there be anything for me to do?
YES! Interactive Early-Arrival Sessions: C. S. Lewis 101: Life & C. S. Lewis 101: Works. Not a Lewis expert? You’ll fit right in. Come and get your questions answered! Contact Rev’d Andrew for information.