Update on Gathering 2011 "Neighbors Near and Far"

The Ekklesia Project

June 11, 2011

Register Now for a chance to have Mike Budde record a theological greeting on your answering machine!

When we listen to "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me" on NPR, we've noticed that people are motivated by its offer of "the dulcet tones of Carl Kasell" on your answering machine. So we are trying something similar to motivate you to register now. Register by June 14 and we will enter your name into a drawing to have the dulcet tones and theological accumen of Mike Budde on your answering machine! (We thought about using a stick instead of a carrot--last person to register gets the Texas twang of Hauerwas on your phone--but finally decided that some of you are masochistic enough to want that one.)

We offer this incentive to get registration numbers as early as possible (and because registration is worrintly low at present!). So please use this link to register for the Gathering. This fully automated online registration system allows online payment with credit card or payment by check.

Please, please read the instructions at the top of the webpage before beginning the registration process.

Persons needing financial assistance should contact Brent Laytham before registering for the proper discount code.

Changes and Additions to "Neighbors Near and Far"

Plenaries

Beth Newman is the author of Untamed Hospitality: Welcoming God and Other Strangers in EP's Christian Practices of Everyday Life series. Beth served for many years on the EP Board.
Danny Carroll, "Immigration and the Missio Dei: Implications for Being the Church." Danny teaches Bible at Denver Seminary and has written on immigration and borders.
Craig Wong, "The Table that Turns Us: How the Lord's Supper Changes the Immigration Conversation," Craig is a frequent author for Prism, and executive director of Grace Urban Ministries . Craig works on immigration reform.

Workshops

Mark Lau Branson, "Churches, Neighbors, and Lectio."
Gabriel and Jeanette Salguero, "The Church and Immigration: Advocacy and Social Service."
Debbie Gish and Suzie Logan, "Embodying Hospitality in the Home."
Craig Wong, "Immigration Policy & Ecclesial Engagement: An Overview"
Debra Dean Murphy on ministry with children
The workshop with George Dardess on Islam has been cancelled.

Worship

Chi-Ming Chien is coordinating our worship music this year. Erin Martin will be our opening preacher. There will be a footwashing service on Friday evening. Gabriel and Jeanette Salguero will preach our closing worship service.

Please Support Gathering Scholarship Fund

As we do every year and In keeping with the theme of this summer's Gathering, we want to welcome as many of our "neighbors" as possible. In order to practice our hospitality, we need your help. Please consider making a donation to the 2011 Gathering Scholarship fund. The Ekklesia Project has no corporate donors or sponsors and we rely on donations from our supporters to help people attend the Gathering. You can make a donation by using our on-line registration form, which offers the opportunity to make an "additional donation" for scholarship donations, or by sending a check to The Ekklesia Project, c/o Mike Bowling, Treasurer, Englewood Christian Church, 57 North Rural Street, Indianopolis, IN 46201.

If you are in need of scholarship support to attending the Gathering, please contact Brent Laytham. Thank you for your generosity, which will help us welcome new friends to our Gathering.