Five local churches have joined to sponsor a Lenten Renewal Weekend in Florence for a series of talks designed to help participants reflect on the meaning of Lent.

The ecumenical event is scheduled Feb. 23-24 and people of all faiths are welcome and encouraged to attend and participate.

This year, Marcus J. Borg will be the featured speaker. Internationally known, he is a biblical and Jesus scholar who holds a doctoral degree from Oxford University and is Hundere Distinguished Professor of Religion and Culture, an endowed chair in the Philosophy Department at Oregon State University. Dr. Borg’s topic will be “God’s Passion and the Passion of Jesus,” a press release said. He will discuss what God is passionate about, and how understanding this passion affects our understanding of the passion of Jesus and the meaning of Holy Week.

 Previous speakers have included Ann Weems, Marva Dawn and Daniel Erlander.

Described by The New York Times as “a leading figure in his generation of Jesus scholars,” Dr. Borg has appeared on NBC’s “Today Show” and “Dateline,” PBS’s “Newshour,” ABC’s “Evening News” and “Prime Time” with Peter Jennings, NPR’s “Fresh Air” with Terry Gross, and several National Geographic programs. A fellow of the Jesus Seminar, he has been national chair of the Historical Jesus Section of the Society of Biblical Literature and co-chairman of its International New Testament Program Committee. He is past president of the Anglican Association of Biblical Scholars and a regular columnist for Beliefnet. He is the author of 16 books, including “Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time” (1994), “Reading the Bible Again for the First Time” (2001) and “The Heart of Christianity” (2003) — all best sellers. His newest books are “Jesus: Uncovering the Life, Teachings and Relevance of a Religious Revolutionary” (2006); and two books co-authored with John Dominic Crossan, “The Last Week” (2006) and “The First Christmas” (2007). His work has been translated into nine languages and he has lectured widely overseas and in North America, including the Chautauqua and Smithsonian Institutions.

Dr. Borg will present two sessions on Saturday, Feb. 23, beginning at 2 p.m. and continuing until 5 p.m. There will be a short intermission between sessions. He also will deliver the homily at the ecumenical worship service on Sunday, Feb. 24. This worship service will begin at 10:30 a.m.

All sessions will be held at the Florence Events Center. Admission is free, although a freewill offering will be taken up at the Sunday worship service.