Symbol, Ritual, and Sacrament

2026 Call for Papers

Paul Melley, Providence College (RI)

pmelley@providence.edu

The Symbol, Ritual, and Sacrament sections welcomes papers related to the 2026 convention theme of “Reclaiming Faith Amid Christian Nationalism.” Questions to be considered might include but are not limited to:

•  How does Christian nationalism utilize Christian symbols and rituals to pursue its own goals?
• How do sacraments of conversion or initiation become part of Christian nationalist ideologies?  Why has conversion to Catholicism or Eastern Orthodoxy become wrapped up with these agendas?
• How do Christian nationalists utilize Christian rituals of mourning, remembrance and grief for their purposes?
• Has secularization strengthened or weakened the symbol structures of Christian nationalism itself as well as counter-movements of protest and resistance?

Proposals are due to conveners by December 15, 2025. Notification of acceptances will be sent by January 15, 2026.

INFORMATION INCLUDED IN YOUR PROPOSAL:
• Your proposals should be 250-500 words in length
• Please provide the current institutional affiliation and position of all participants, as well
as contact information, including e‐mail.
• Indicate whether you will be requiring A/V equipment
• CTS membership status

ELIGIBILITY FOR SUBMITTING PROPOSALS:
• Scholars who are invited to present their work at a national convention of the College Theology
Society must be current members of the CTS no later than April 1, 2025 in order to appear in the
program.
• No person may submit more than one proposal for consideration and nor will submissions to
multiple sections be considered. Failure to observe these policies may result in the scholar's
disqualification to present a paper at the Annual Convention