Australian theologian and author Dr. Val Webb will be preaching at The Fountains, a United Methodist Church, 15300 N. Fountain Hills Blvd, at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, June 22.

The morning will also include a special presentation and Q&A at 10:45.

Author of 10 books, including “Why We’re Equal: Introducing Feminist Theology” and “Stepping out with the Sacred: Human Attempts to Engage the Divine,” Dr. Webb has taught religious studies and world religions at universities in the United States and Australia.

Her book, “Like Catching Water in a Net: Human Attempts to Describe the Divine,” won the religion category of the 2007 Best Books USA Awards.

As a leading voice of progressive Christian theology in Australia, Dr. Webb has been recommended by Bishop John Shelby Spong, who has called her “insightful, imaginative and provocative.”

Growing out of her own experience of being raised in a fundamentalist church, Dr. Webb’s topics often revolve around encouraging disciples to discard outgrown dogmas for richer experiences.

With a background in microbiology, Dr. Webb sees dragging one’s spiritual doubts out from under the rug and celebrating them for the gifts they are to be equivalent to a scientist anticipating fresh resolution with each doubt investigated.

Her message on Sunday will point out theological problems for the 21st century in several readings from Genesis, then go on to talk about how we can read and recover these stories for today.

Following the 9:30 service, Dr. Webb will be offering a few thoughts from her keynote address at 2013’s Common Dreams Conference in Canberra: “Midwives of Change: Creating theologically hospitable communities.”

For more information on Dr. Webb’s books and background, visit her website at www.valwebb.com.au For more information on Sunday’s events, call 837-7627 or email welcome@thefountainsumc.org.

Professional child care is provided throughout the morning.

Note: Dr. Webb will also be speaking at an Arizona Foundation for Contemporary Theology event in Phoenix on Thursday evening, June 19, to which the public is invited.

She’ll be speaking on the topic of her newly expanded book, “In Defence of Doubt: An Invitation to Adventure.” For information on location and tickets, visit www.azfct.org.