Following Jesus in a Culture of Fear
WHAT IS THE I.S. CONFERENCE?
The I.S. Conference is King’s unique, semi-annual, all-college event. Regular classes are suspended in favor of presentations by special guests, workshops, films, concerts, break out sessions and more. All this is intended to encourage an exploration of a particular topic from multiple perspectives.
WHY A CONFERENCE
Because some topics are so important and have so many interesting angles of discovery, that the best way to approach them is in a conference setting.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND THE CONFERENCE?
Everyone who wants to
be illuminated, exhilarated, emancipated, elucidated, inspired, wisened,
treated royally … And everyone who wishes to graduate, because in
order to graduate from King’s you need 3 credits of I.S. and you can
earn these by simply attending conferences.
If you are a
full-time student (not in the B.Ed. after-degree program) taking three
or more courses, you MUST attend and should already be registered for
the I.S. conference.
WHAT NEXT: 1ST, 2ND AND 3RD STEPS
Step 1. You need to register for the conference. You have already registered during the general registration, but on Tuesday, September 14, from 11AM -2 PM show up at the registration table (in the hallway by the cafeteria Tuesday, by the Gym Wednesday morning) get signed in and pick up your registration packet. Your packet includes schedules, resources, assignments and other important information
Step 2. Attend the conference, September 15 and 16Step 3. Complete the assignment as described in your registration packet.
KNOW FEAR: Following Jesus in a Culture of Fear
All around us people are afraid, and we are too. Some fears are well founded, but many are not. And yet fear can paralyze us into inaction and make us indifferent to the needs of others. Fear of strangers makes us close our borders to refugees, or express itself in racism. Fear for the future may make us timid and afraid to embrace life. Fear of scarcity may make us stingy instead of generous. Fear of the unknown may lead to war. Where do such fears come from and what can we do to live courageously and joyfully – swim against the current of fear mongering? These are the questions we will explore at this year’s I.S. Conference.
Lecture 2: Providence and Peacemaking - a recovery of the doctrine of providence as a theological support for the risky venture of peacemaking in a culture of preemption.
Lecture 3: Courage and Hospitality - a discussion of courage as one of the central virtues necessary to sustain the practice of hospitality in a culture of suspicion.
Lecture 4: Hope and Generosity - an investigation into the connection between the virtue of hope and the practice of generous giving in a culture of accumulation.
Main Speaker's Bio:
Scott Bader-Saye is Professor of the Helen and Everett H. Jones Chair in Christian Ethics and Moral Theology at Seminary of the Southwest. He joined the faculty there in 2009 after teaching theology for twelve years at the University of Scranton in Scranton, PA. His academic interests include theology and culture, social ethics, political theology, emerging church, and Jewish-Christian dialogue. His publications include Following Jesus in a Culture of Fear and Church and Israel After Christendom: The Politics of Election. He serves as Theologian-in-Residence at St. Julian of Norwich Episcopal Church, a mission church in northwest Austin. He holds an A.B. from Davidson College, an M.Div. from Yale Divinity School, and a Ph.D. from Duke University.
Breakout Session
In addition to Scott’s presentations, there will be several breakout sessions, led by King’s faculty (Doug Harink, Steve Martin, David Long, Chris Peet, Leanne Wilson, Theresa Zolner, Michael De Moor and Robert Brink, Mike Ferber) as well as guests including...
Linda Duncan and Paul Doer speaking on the role of fear in public policy
Ada Jaarsma, on “homophobia as spiritual offense.”
Lauryn Oates, Founder of Women for Women in Afghanistan
Travis Enright, Anglican Priest and Diocesan Aboriginal Coordinator, leading a sacred gathering called “Standing Stones: Surviving Fear on the Streets.”
…. and more
Special Events
We are very pleased to host one more production of Shimmer, the wonderful play, a 4.5 Star rated Fringe hold-over written by John O’Keefe and performed by Michael Peng. This will take place on Wednesday at 4PM in N102. Language warning. Tickets will be available through the bookstore; free for King's students of the IS Conference, $10 for the public.
Shimmer's writeup: The King’s University College, as a part of it’s Fall Interdisciplinary Studies conference will present wishbone theatre’s acclaimed, Fringe holdover solo show, SHIMMER, in the Theatre Lecture Hall (N102) on Wednesday, September 15th at 4pm.
In SHIMMER, a man recalls his troubled adolescence and tells the extraordinary story of his escape at the age of fifteen from the harsh realities of juvenile home life. Through a gritty and turbulent narrative, he exorcises the trauma of abuse through a celebration of friendship, art and freedom. SHIMMER is a classic story of liberation told with metaphorical lyricism, compelling imagery, and the hallucinatory rhythms of the Beat poets. First performed in 1988 by the author in San Francisco, it has been produced across the U.S. and internationally, including two productions in New York.
O'Keefe based the play partly on his own experiences growing up in juvenile detention centres. Born in Iowa, his first brush with residential institutions was at the age of 7, after his mother was declared unfit to care for him. "Shimmer is not strictly autobiographical," O'Keefe says. "Though the characters themselves are real, the (detention) farm was a much more brutal place than I portray it."
SHIMMER features some of Edmonton’s most respected and versatile theatre professionals, including Michael Peng, an Edmonton-based freelance theatre director and actor who is also a sessional instructor in communications and drama at King’s. Amber Borotsik contributes her experience in physical theatre and movement to create raw, kinetic, emotionally expressive work. “Shimmer,” she says, “is so intimate as to seem almost familiar, and yet it remains unlike anything I have ever read, heard or seen before.” Chris Bullough, a well-known Edmonton actor, is directing for the first time. "Working with artists as exciting and intelligent as Michael and Amber is an opportunity one should never pass up,” says Bullough. “Add John O'Keefe and his spellbinding play Shimmer to the mix... Now you're part of something extraordinary."
“A rivetingly kinetic solo performance piece.” – The New York Times
“ “A visceral experience... Downright exhilarating...” – The Edmonton Journal
“… A story of how one learns about real love, impossible courage,
and unknown strength..." – VUE Weekly
Performer: Michael Peng; Director: Chris Bullough; Associate Director: Amber Borotsik; Stage Manager: Nonnie Lagerweij
Performance as a part of The King’s University College Interdisciplinary Studies Conference, Wednesday, September 15 @ 4pm in the Theatre Lecture Hall (N102)
Tickets: Free to those students registered for the IS Conference; $10 general admission
For more information on wishbone & the SHIMMER creative team: www.wishbonetheatre.ca
Also:
Plans are underway for another creative evening of performing arts – open mike in the SAC, to be held Wednesday evening. If you were at last years “Homeless” open stage you know it can be amazing.IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ABOVE INFORMATION CONTACT ROY BERKENBOSCH, roy.berkenbosch@kingsu.ca; 465-3500, ext 8070 Room A125