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Program Information
THR seminar | Book Launch | FRI seminar | FRI evening | Saturday | Sunday
National Spong Itinerary: Adelaide | Brisbane | Canberra | Melbourne | Newcastle | Rockhampton
The program has two major components: a conference extending from Friday evening through to Sunday afternoon, plus the pre-conference seminars on Thursday and Friday
which may be taken separately or as part of a larger package.We acknowledge the Gadigal Clan, part of the Eora Nation,
who over many generations has cared for the land
where our conference facilities are located.
Thursday, August 16
INTERFAITH SEMINAR - 8.00am to 5.00pm
Reclaiming the public ground for tolerance and respect:
Progressive perspectives on multifaith issues in a time of fundamentalist resurgenceVENUE: Pitt Street Uniting Church, 264 Pitt Street
0800 Registrations 0845 Balladeer: Dermot Dorgan 0900 Introduction: Rev Rex Hunt 0905 Official opening: Senator Bob Brown, “What does it mean to call Australia ‘home’ these days?” 0930 Keynote Address: Dr John Falzon, “The role of faith-based criticism of public policy and practice.” [Moderator: Elenie Poulos] 1030 Break - Morning tea 1100 Keynote Address: Rabbi Jonathan Keren-Black, "Is a post-denominational Judaism emerging?" [Moderator: Jione Havea] 1200 Workshops (Venue: Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts, 280 Pitt Street)
(1) Stephanie Dowrick, "Surrendering the borders: Interfaith vision and practice."
(2) Negar Partow: "Killing for God: Terror and religion in the modern world."
(3) Elenie Poulos: "Good, Bad, Indifferent or Furphy: the political influence of Christianity in a country of many faiths."1300 Lunch break
Special lunch time event: Rachael Kohn, "Curious Obsessions." (bring lunch)
1400 Keynote Address: Izzat Abdulhadi,“Diaspora identity and citizenship: Building civic society in religious pluralism.” [Moderator: Scott McKenzie] 1500 Break - Afternoon tea 1530 Workshops (Venue: Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts, 280 Pitt Street)
(1) Nigel Leaves, “The resurgence of atheism: religion under attack.”
(2) Joe Bessler-Northcutt, “What good is Jesus in a society of many faiths?”
(3) Cecilie & Mervyn Lander, “Jesus Awakened One: A Zen Eye on the Jesus Bloke.”1630 Balladeer: Dermot Dorgan 1635 Weaving the day's strands: Greg Jenks 1645 Around the coffee pot: Informal conversation with the day's presenters, networking, and naming of 'dreams.'
BOOK LAUNCH AND PUBLIC LECTURE - 7.15pm
Bishop John Shelby SpongVENUE: Pitt Street Uniting Church, 264 Pitt Street
1915 Entertainment: Robert Goode 1930 Australian book launch of "Jesus for the non-religious." [Moderator: Julie McCrossin] 1945 Public Lecture: Bishop John Shelby Spong, "Jesus for the Non-Religious." [Moderator: Greg Jenks]
Friday, August 17
FAITH LEADERS SEMINAR - 8.00am to 5.00pm
Exploring ways to build and sustain faith communities that are intentionally progressiveVENUE: Pitt Street Uniting Church, 264 Pitt Street
0800 Registration 0845 Balladeer: Dermot Dorgan 0900 Welcome and Opening Ritual 0930 Keynote Address: Fred Plumer, "Building and Sustaining Faith Communities by Feeding the Hunger" [Moderator: Richard Carter] 1030 Break - Morning tea 1100 Rex A E Hunt,“The ‘progressive’ story in Australia.” [Moderator: Ruth Doobov] 1140 Workshops (Venue: Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts, 280 Pitt Street)
(1) Patricia Brennan, "Women and the church: A critical update."
(2) Noel Preston,“Exploring eco-justice, eco-spirituality and eco-theology.”
(3) Ian Pearson, "Renewing and growing congregations progressively."1300 Break - Lunch
Special lunch time event: Dr Norman Habel, "Season of Creation" (bring lunch)
1400 Keynote Address: Sherri Weinberg, "Concrete, Candles and Communion - how a faith community changed through a dialogue of difference." [Moderator: Carolyn Craig-Emilson] 1500 Break - Afternoon tea 1530 Workshops (Venue: Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts, 280 Pitt Street)
(1) Sherri Weinberg, "Exploring the potential for change through dialogues of difference."
(2) Fred Plumer, "A Viable Spirituality in a Progressive Faith Community"
(3) Michael Morwood, "God, liturgy and prayer in a New Story."1630 Balladeer: Dermot Dorgan 1635 Weaving the day's strands: Greg Jenks 1645 Around the coffee pot: Informal conversation with the day's presenters, networking, and naming of 'dreams.' COMMON DREAMS CONFERENCE commences
VENUE: Pitt Street Uniting Church, 264 Pitt Street
1915 Entertainment: Kim Cunio and Heather Lee 1930 Indigenous welcome to country and opening of the Conference 1945 Public Lecture: Rev Stephanie Dowrick. "Knock, knock, knocking on heaven's door: Spiritual transformation in a time of certainty" [Moderator: Graham Byrne]
Saturday, August 18
COMMON DREAM CONFERENCE continues
From dreaming to action: Giving expression to progressive religious thoughtVENUE: Pitt Street Uniting Church, 264 Pitt Street
0800 Registrations 0845 Balladeer: Dermot Dorgan 0900 Welcome 0905 Keynote Address: Val Webb, "Catching water in a net: The (im)possibilities of God-talk." [Moderator: John W.H. Smith] 1030 Break - Morning tea 1100 Keynote Address: B. Brandon Scott, “In pictures and song: Imperial images and the Cross.” [Moderator: Greg Jenks] 1230 Keynote Address: Noel Preston, "Ethics: whose? what? and why it matters to progressive theology." [Moderator: Barbara Oldmeadow] 1300 Lunch break
Special lunch time event: Revd David Felten: “Living the Questions” (bring lunch)
1400 Keynote Address: Jenny Te Paa, "The ‘idyllic’ South Pacific – the mythology exposed. What public role (if
any) for the churches in the search for God’s peace and justice in paradise?" [Moderator: Ian Pearson]1500 Break - Afternoon tea 1530 Breakout Groups (Venue: Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts, 280 Pitt Street)
(1) Val Webb
(2) Brandon Scott
(3) Jenny Te Paa1700 Dinner break 1900 Entertainment/Celebration: Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir 1930 Public Lecture: Bishop John Shelby Spong, "We are not alone! Courageous faith in action." [Moderator: Rex A.E. Hunt]
Sunday, August 19
COMMON DREAMS CONFERENCE continues
Enacting the Common Dreams: Celebrating the possibilities and creating the future now.VENUE: Pitt Street Uniting Church, 264 Pitt Street
0830 Action Team meeting to review feedback from participants and plan process for final plenary session 1000 Worship service, Pitt St Uniting Church. Preacher: Bishop John Shelby Spong 1145 Around the coffee pot: Informal conversation, networking and Lunch 1300 Keynote Address: Joe Bessler-Northcutt, “Taking the Jesus Seminar to Church: Theological implications of progressive scholarship.” [Moderator: David Merritt] 1430 Plenary Session: “Creating Progressive Networks" [Facilitator: Greg Jenks] 1515 Closing Ritual 1530 Refreshments INTERFAITH WORSHIP 1600 Conference participants are invited to join the Pitt St Uniting Church for their regular interfaith service.
Joe Bessler-Northcutt
Canberra, Sunday 12 August. Guest preacher at The Uniting Church of St James, Canberra (40 Gillies Street, Curtin ACT 2605). The service commences at 10.30am. This will be followed by an informal BBQ and an intentional conversation with Joe Bessler-Northcutt, led by Revd Rex A E Hunt. A donation to cover BBQ and conversation of $5.00 please. An indication of your attendance is requested to Rex A E Hunt by eMail or Phone 02 6281 7419.
B. Brandon Scott
Brisbane, Saturday, 25 August - Parables Workshop
Please note that this workshop has been cancelled. We apologise for any inconvenience.
Bishop John Shelby Spong will also be speaking at a limited number of events in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne and Rockhampton after the international gathering in Sydney:
Wednesday, 22 August - Malvern Town Hall corner of Glenferrie Rd and High Streets, Malvern flier
Friday, 24 August - Kent St Uniting Church
Sunday, 26 August - Clayton-Wesley:- Sunday afternoon workshop
Canberra: 28 August - Albert Hall, 8.00pm
Saturday, 1 September - St Aidan's Anglican Girls School, Corinda
Sunday, 2 September - St John's Cathedral (7.30am & 9.30am) information
Rockhampton: 3 September - Central Queensland University
Sunday, 9 September, a service of farewell and thanksgiving at the Spirit of Life Unitarian Fellowship, Kirribilli to conclude Bishop John Shelby Spong's visit to Australia. The topic for Bishop Spong's address is: Empowered to Live not Rescued from Sin. The Unitarian Service will be led by the Reverend Ian Brown. The Service will be held at Ravenswood Centenary Centre and will be supported by The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir conducted by Sarah Penika. After the service from approximately 11.45am a light luncheon will be provided to enable guests to meet Bishop Spong. His books will be for sale in the foyer
Venue: Ravenswood Centenary Centre, Ravenswood School for Girls (Entry via Henry Street), Gordon. [map]
Time: 10.30am (doors open 9.45am)
Contact: Please contact Eric Stevenson on 0405 758 116 for any further information
Newcastle - Sunday, 9 September
Jesus for the Non-Religious
Venue:Harold Lobb Concert Hall, Conservatorium of Music, Cnr Auckland & Laman Sts, Newcastle
Time: 5.30 pm. (Doors open at 5.00 pm)Cost:$15.00 $10.00 concessional)
Pre-paid bookings available for groups of 10 or more.
Phone Nanoya Barrett on 0249321971 or 041 0496 639 or Jane Purkiss on 0249342327
Any tickets remaining will be sold at the door.
Dr Spong’s books will be available for sale and he has offered to sign them.
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