Sage Wednesdays, a new program of Cornell United Religious Work, will be held weekly from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. and will replace Sage Chapel Sunday afternoon vesper services. Speakers will provide the campus and Ithaca communities with opportunities to reflect on and discuss timely issues.

"Sage Wednesdays is an option we are exploring in light of last year's success with midday programs such as the Soup and Hope series and the panel discussion on 'Obama, Race, Religion and Politics,'" said Rev. Kenneth Clarke Sr., director of Cornell United Religious Work. "Declining support for the Sage Chapel worship service made clear a paradigm shift was necessary. Sage Wednesdays is a forum to explore cutting-edge issues in the public square -- the expression of a public philosophy and public theology -- and consideration of the personal pursuit of meaning and purpose."

Speakers will alternate with music from the recital series "Midday Music for the Organ" on Sage Wednesdays, presented by the Cornell Department of Music. Refreshments will be served at 12:15 p.m.; music will begin at 12:30 p.m.

Fall 2008 speakers:

• Ebony Magazine editor Lerone Bennett on Lincoln's Gettysburg address and race, Sept. 3;

• Cornell President David Skorton on engaged citizenship and higher education, Sept. 17;

• Ithaca College biology professor Jason Hamilton on sustainability, Oct. 1;

• Greg Parks and Jeff Rachlinski of Cornell Law School on race and gender bias in the 2008 presidential election, Oct. 15;

• Theology professor Dwight Hopkins of the University of Chicago on black theology and the 2008 presidential race, Oct. 22; and

• Historian Carol Kammen on Andrew Dickson White, Nov. 12.

The entire Sage Wednesdays schedule is available at http://www.curw.cornell.edu/sage.html.