|
Comment on this article |
Email this Article
|
|
Announcement :: Education |
|
Anarchy and Christianity conference |
Current rating: 0 |
by info from website
(No verified email address) |
30 Jul 2006
|
August 4-5, 2006
Illinois Disciples Foundation
610 E. Springfield Avenue
Champaign, Illinois
Contact: jesusradicals AT jesusradicals.com
Conference flyer
Conference poster (416 kb)
Download this 8.5 x 11 poster and spread the word. Adobe Acrobat required.
View more outreach materials.
Anarchists and Christians in America share the tension of living in a kind of limbo. We know that life can at the very least be different, and at best be radically transformed, yet we are also overwhelmed by life in a society steeped in the status quo. If you ever wonder whether it is possible to put your faith and ideas into practice in the belly of the Empire, the answer is, "Yes." Here in this Place: Anarchism and Christianity in our Context will show you examples of people doing just that.
This year’s two-day conference builds on last year's theme of anarchism and Christianity in word and deed, with sessions that provide concrete examples of radical living within the United States. With topics such as Living in Community 101, The Problem of Policing and In Our Backyards: Urban-Rural Environmental Sustainability, speakers will not only share their theological/ideological reasons for the work that they do, they will also share strategies for how they do that work. The aim of the event is to both give a glimpse of anarchism and Christianity in action and spark ideas on practices that may apply to the various situations we find ourselves in.
We welcome you to take a look at our new, exended sessions, learn more about jesus radicals and sign up to attend. We especially look forward to finding hope and learning together in this place. |
Here in this Place: Anarchism and Christianity in our Context
Two sessions will occur simultaneously throughout the event, except in the case of plenaries. Attendees will be able to choose the sessions they want to participate in during online and on-site registration. Please note that a few conference topics are still being developed at this time and are subject to change so check back for updates.
Register for the sessions below on the sign-up page, ensure the event remain's free for all by making a donation, and if you like what you see, be sure to spread the word.
Friday August 4, 2006
Noon — Meet & Greet
Attendees arrive, get conference materials and settle into their housing situations.
---------------
1 pm — Welcome and Introduction
Nekeisha Alexis-Baker (Jesus Radicals co-organizer) will welcome the group and introduce the theme of this year's conference.
---------------
2 pm — A Foot-washing Service (with music by Psalters)
The foot-washing service is the way in which we declare our allegiance to the way of Jesus, demonstrate our love for one another and set the tone for the dialogue we hope to engage in throughout the conference. The service is open to all who are interested in attending. Guest musicians Psalters, a group that seeks to be like the temple musicians of ancient will provide music for this time of worship. For more information on the band, visit www.psalters.com.
---------------
3:15-4:45 pm — Afternoon Session
Anarchism & Christianity: A Primer
What is anarchism? Can a Christian be anarchist? How can these two concepts fit together? Eric Anglada will discuss these introductory questions with those who are interested in exploring the connections between anarchist ideology and practice, and Christian faith. This session is ideal for those who are new to the dialogue between anarchism and Christianity or grasp the ideas but want to get their feet wet before diving into the weekend.
Education: An Anarchist Approach
Cultural assumptions try to enforce understandings about education relative to age segregation, instruction vs inquiry, grading, the learning environment, seasonal attendance and separation of religion from the rest of the learning process. Radical allegiance to Jesus' way obliges us to reckon with a richer, more complicated and demanding perspective on education than simple alternatives of "public or private." A.K.M. Adam (AKMA) will discuss the education system from the perspective of his work in both church and seminary institutions, and as a home-schooling parent. He looks forward to a lively discussion on ways anarchic Christians might envision and practice education in a setting where participants can learn from one another.
---------------
5pm — Breaking Bread Together
Dinner with attendees and speakers. This will be a way to get to know each other and begin to network.
---------------
6:30-8 pm — Evening Plenary
Living in Community 101
Learn from the experiences of people who have lived in community and/or helped organize one from the ground up. Brenna Cussen (South Bend Catholic Worker), Abigail Kahler (Psalters) and Eric Edgin will reflect on the ups and downs of community life, with a look at the logistics involved in starting out, the obstacles posed by the authorities against it and practical considerations for sustaining it. They will also share the theological/ideological reasons that make living in community a worthwhile endeavor.
---------------
8:15 pm — Recreational Events
Community Tour: Urbana-Champaign IndyMedia (UCIMC)
The UCIMC (www.ucimc.org), which recently purchased the aging post-office in downtown Urbana, has long infused the community with the spirit of "indymedia." This all-volunteer collaboration of media workers emerged in 1999 and has since grown into hundreds of IMCs, operating in decentralized, non-hierarchical solidarity with each other for "the passionate tellings of truth." Amy Dalton, indymedia reporter and organizer since 2000, will faciliate discussion on the history of indymedia's unique application of anarchist organizing tactics and co-lead the tour of this real-space manifestation.
Video Screening: Anarchism in America
In Anarchism in America, Emmy and Guggenheim Award-winning filmmakers Steven Fischler and Joel Sucher take a road trip to map anarchism as a distinctly American tradition, interviewing a diverse cast of characters: from "ordinary" truckers and farmers to famous anarchists like Kenneth Rexroth, Ursula LeGuin, and Murray Bookchin. See a brief preview of the documentary courtesy of Google video.
Saturday August 5, 2006
8-8:45 am — Breakfast
Breakfast will be served at the St. Jude Catholic Worker kitchen.
---------------
9:00-9:15 — Brief Welcome & Introduction
Nekeisha Alexis-Baker (Jesus Radicals organizer) will briefly introduce the theme of this year's conference for those joining us on Saturday.
---------------
9:30-11:00 am — Morning Session
Contemporary Anarchisms and Pre-Constantinian Christianity: Is There Anything New Under the Sun?
This session will evaluate some current anarchist theory and practice in the light of the tradition of the Early Church, particularly in the East.
Frontline Servants: Supporting Activists in Seattle
Athena Marsden and Brian Peterson will discuss their work with FrontlineServant, a Christian Anarchist collective they organized in 2002 that serves the activist community in Seattle. The collective offers free vegan and vegetarian food as a form of direct action against hunger and boredom at Seattle rallies, actions, protests, and other radical events. They are also forming a mobile organic food shelf and a jail solidarity network with other organizations. Learn about and from their work as they reflect on their experiences.
---------------
11:00-12:30 pm — Morning Session (continued)
Threat of a Technological Society
The over use and inappropriate application of Technology has resulted in annihilation of personal relationships, depletion of social interaction and is undermining humanity's relationship with Christ and the body of Christ. Andy Lewis Jeremy Siegrist will explore the ways that technology threatens our society—and ways we can resist. Suggested reading includes Better Off: Flipping the Switch on Technology by Eric Brende, Questioning Technology by Andrew Feenberg and No more plastic Jesus: Global justice and Christian lifestyle by Adam Daniel Corson-Finnerty.
The Problem of Policing
Theologians and Christian ethicists have done major reflectionon the problem of war and peace in the past century. However, the more immediate problems facing most of us have to do with crime and the police. How have Christians responded to these concerns in the past? What might a Christian response to crime look like that seeks to be peacemaking and rejects the state as a viable tool for Christians to use and participate in? Andy Alexis-Baker will lead this session, giving an overview and critique of some Christian thought on the matter–especially critiquing the recent thinking of Gerald Schlabach; historical survey of the rise of the police; and offer a few suggestions on how we might think about matters of policing. Suggested reading: Police Riots by Rodney Stark; "Peace Cops?"; by Tobias Winright (Sojourners, March 2006, p. 20-24); "Just Policing," by Gerald Schlabach
--------------- Lunch 12:30-1:45pm ---------------
2:00-3:30 pm — Afternoon Plenary
In Our Backyards: Urban-Rural Environmental Sustainability
Although global warming, genetically-modified foods and other environmental hazards continue to threaten the earth, Christians and anarchists are engaged in gardening and farming practices on small and large scales that make a difference in their communities. Melissa DeLong (Camden House), Miranda Duschack (St. Jude Catholic Worker) and others will reflect on the challenges, benefits and logistics of their work in environmental sustainability in urban and rural areas.
---------------
3:45-5:00 pm
Open Forum
Don't see a topic you are interested in on the schedule? Have a burning question or idea on anarchism you'd like to discuss with others? The open forum will be a break-out time for attendees to debrief about topics they participated in or gather into groups based on topics suggested during registration and at the event. Additional details on the open forum will be given at the conference.
--------------- Dinner 5pm ---------------
6:30-8 pm — Closing Plenary
Resisting 'this Filthy Rotten System' as Christian Discpleship
Brian Terrell—Catholic Worker, Benedictine Oblate and "person of interest to the FBI Joint Terror Task Force"—will close the conference in this final plenary. |
See also:
http://conference.jesusradicals.com/index.php
|
This work is in the public domain |
