Melanie Starks Kierstead, formerly of Norfolk, will address the 16th International Conference on Patristic Studies at Oxford University in Oxford, England in August.

This Conference gathers scholars from around the world who study the Patristic Era, named for the “fathers” of first five centuries of the Christian church.

Dr. Kierstead, who is a member of the North American Patristic Society, an ordained Wesleyan minister, and professor at Asbury University in Kentucky, links modern social and theological issues with the problems addressed by the early Church leaders. Kierstead will present research explaining the social background of a group of influential Christian leaders in the second and third century who functioned outside the powerful religious structure.

Kierstead graduated from Norwood-Norfolk Central School, and then went on to receive six university degrees, including the Ph.D. from Drew University in Madison, N.J. She is the daughter of Malcolm and Mary Starks of Raymondville.

Kierstead’s website, http://www.MelanieKierstead.com is being established to answer questions for people interested in the biblical foundations and historical development of Christian faith.

The nine-centuries-old Oxford University was the first university established in the English speaking world.