PHILADELPHIA –- Kirk Byron Jones, professor of ethics and preaching at Andover Newton Theological School in Newton, Mass., will speak at the University of Pennsylvania’s 2009 Baccalaureate ceremonies on Sunday, May 17, in Irvine Auditorium, 3401 Spruce St.

Two ceremonies will be held, one at 1:30 p.m. for graduates whose last names begin with A through K and another at 3 p.m. for the L-Z graduates.

Jones, a native of New Orleans, is a graduate of Loyola University and Andover Newton Theological School and holds a doctor of ministry degree from Emory University and a Ph.D. from Drew University.

A pastor for more than 20 years, he was the founding minister of Beacon Light Baptist Church in New Orleans and was senior minister at Baptist churches in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts

Jones serves as a guest preacher and teacher at churches, schools and conferences throughout the United States. His writings have appeared in The Christian Century, Leadership, Gospel Today, Pulpit Digest and The African American Pulpit, a quarterly preaching journal he co-founded in 1997.

He is the author of several books, including “Rest in the Storm: Self-Care Strategies for Clergy and Other Caregivers,” which was recently named to Sojourners magazine’s list of 39 “Best Resources for Social Change.” He also wrote “Addicted to Hurry: Spiritual Strategies for Slowing Down,” “The Jazz of Preaching: How to Preach with Great Freedom and Joy,” “Morning B.R.E.W.: A Divine Power Drink for Your Soul, and ” “The Morning B.R.E.W. Journal and Holy Play: The Joyful Adventure of Unleashing Your Divine Purpose.”