From the beginning, Emergent has always been about relational gatherings -- to be honest, some of the events we plan are merely foils to get people together! Face-to-face, incarnational encounters are at the core of Emergent, and are merely supplemented by blogs, books, and cell phones. So, you might not be surprised that we are planning and dreaming about lots of events, some we're hosting, and others that we want you to be aware of because they're being hosted by our friends. So, here we go:
Events that Emergent Is Hosting or Co-Hosting:
The 2006 Emergent Theological Conversation with Miroslav Volf: This event was previously closed at 115 participants (in less than 6 hours!), but due to popular demand, we've opened it up to a couple hundred more. I expect these spots to fill rather quickly. We'll be meeting with Dr. Volf, one of the preeminent theologians in the world, at Yale Divinity School, February 6-8. The cost is $115, which does not include food or lodging. We've worked out deals on the two required books with Abingdon and Zondervan, and you'll get info about that after you register. Find out more and register here.
Round Barn Retreat: An Emergent Women's ReGathering: Using a barn-raising metaphor, interested women are gathering for a spiritual barn-raisin' of sorts, April 29-30, 2006, at the Round Barn Inn Bed & Breakfast in McCordsville, Indiana. The weekend will include sharing histories (joys and pains), envisioning a structure or community that opens up and supports our experience of God and participation in God's on-going creation, and then "raisin' that barn!" The hope is to produce a publication by and for emergent women as well as a solid network for communication and community. The weekend will include quiet prayer times, times of dialogue and discussion, and an evening time of sharing our gifts, graces, passions, and expertises. Cost is $75 which includes three meals, but does not include housing. Registration is limited to the first 50, but if the response warrants, a second event is already being penciled in. Register (not available quite yet!) through emergentvillage.com. For more information or questions, please contact Rev. Liz Buxton or Elizabeth Potter.
Towards an Embracing Community: Race, Ethnicity & the Emerging Church: Limited to 100 participants, this is a symposium, an event that will both investigate ethnic diversity in the emerging church, and envision a way forward, a way that promotes an "embracing church." It will be held at North Park College and Seminary in Chicago, Illinois, May 18-20, 2006. The cost will be $85, and we are looking for one or two organizations that believe in the importance of this conversation and would be willing ot underwrite it. Registration is not yet open, but if you have questions or ideas, you can email Jay Voorhees or Susie Albert Miller.
The Emergent Theology/Life/Leadership Institute: This will be a series of seminars, classes, and experiences that will take place over two weeks, June 12-23, 2006, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. You can come for three days or stay for the entire two weeks. Seminars will be offered on holistic living, faith and quantum physics, relational theology, youth ministry, and the doctrine of creation, among other things. Registration will be open in early January.
The Gathering: Once again, in the Fall of 2006, we'll be gathering in Glorieta, New Mexico for our un-conference. No paid speakers or bands, no agenda, no conference notebook. It's more like a family reunion, rife with organic conversations that ebb and flow through the days. For many, this is the highlight of the year.
Events that Emergent Is Dreaming of:
The Emergent Writers' Summit: In collaberation with our new book-selling partner, Viva Bookstore, we hope to host a summit for writers in San Antonio, Texas in the next couple years. Fifty writers would be invited, as well as a collection of publishers, editors, literary agents, and others in the field.
The Emergent Festival: We've been dreaming of a big-top, blow-out event in 2007 for many months now, and it's beginning to take shape. It looks like it will happen in the summer of 2007, in the middle of the country, in a field somewhere. Stay tuned...
Events that Emergent Wants You to Know about:
The 2006 Environment and Worship Conversational Gathering: Hosted by Kevin Callahan and featuring Rex Miller and Sally Morganthaller, in Scottsdale, Arizona on February 7/8, 2006. More info here.
The National Pastors Convention: Held in San Diego, California, February 22-25, there will be an "emergent track" including an 8-hour critical concerns course featuring several Emergent-types. Info here.
