TransFORM East coast

This Thursday April 29th I'll be headed to Washington DC to attend TransFORM, a FREE conference; a gathering of missional practitioners on the East Coast to learn from each other and to mobilize others for forming new missional communities.

The collective voices assembled to share is staggering for any conference...especially a FREE one. Our friend Kathy Escobar, is the first keynote speaker of the conference Friday morning! This is really exciting to me because Kathy is "just a woman who co-pastors a small...messy community in Denver"...she's one of 'us'. She doesn't have a book deal...or a speaking tour...she is simply in the trenches and telling about her experiences as someone who is living it forreals.

Some of the recognizable heavy hitters will be there too...like Brian McLaren and Peter Rollins, but...honestly...I am most interested in hearing from the more obscure people, like Eliacin Rosario-Cruz and Anthony Smith...who again are incredible visionary emergence Christians...living in the trenches...Their voices are significant and timely because both are people of color...Something that has been notably missing in the greater, more visible Emergent conversation for some time now.

Because this conference is going to be relatively small ~150 or so attending...I will have more proximity to many people I wouldn't otherwise...and that I may never cross paths with outside of the virtual world...again. Since I'm all about asking questions...and getting to know the 'other'...I want to ask you guys to check out the conference schedule and workshops...and let me know who and what in particular is of interest to you...if you have questions or ideas you want expressed or communicated...I would love to take that with me. I would be happy to attend the workshops that you all as my community, are the most eager or interested in hearing about. Please let me know ASAP ...because I am leaving early Thursday morning and I won't likely be back on the computer the whole time I am away. I am really excited for this opportunity and I want to take you with me!

By the way...did I mention that this conference is mostly cost-FREE for me? Airline ticket United Flight award miles...$5, ride from Dulles to the 'city' FREE...thanks to Kimberly Dinsdale and Brian Merrit...accommodations FREE...BIG thank you Amy Moffitt...my only expense will be my meals! I can't wait!

ALTO ARIZONA

As I reflect on the conversation Jim and I had in NM with our new friend Eliacin Rosario-Cruz, a Puerto Rican National currently residing in the Portland area... regarding our disdain of the lack of diversity in the context of emergence Christianity...I am struck today by his words: "To be diverse is not simply to invite the other in...and in so doing feel relieved that NOW we are a diverse group...and in that single act attempt to make the 'other' one of 'us'...Instead go out into the world of diversity around you...and learn from them...stand with them suffer with them...By doing that you will bring diversity back into your cohorts...your homes...your neighborhoods and churches.
In that wisdom and spirit...I would like to invite any of you who may be interested to join 'some' of the Schroeder Family Sunday @ 12:00pm at the State Capital in protest of the SB1070 signed into law today by Governor Jan Brewer. We plan to be home in time to host EmDes...We look forward to seeing you here or there on Sunday April 25th 12:00pm

Blog Update

Check out Joy's latest blog post regarding Emerging Desert and her thoughts on her own journey.

what is taco day?

hey.
maybe you've heard of taco day?
it's coming...

certainty and doubt

Yesterday, we talked a bit about those who hold certain beliefs true and those who are holding doubts. Is there room for both people in our group? Are there people who could come to our gathering and feel unwelcome because of issues in their life?

It was an interesting discussion, and I think it really challenged many of us. I certainly was engaged, and I learned so much from people who have actually faced certain situations in their lives. It's one thing to pose a hypothetical situation, but to hear answers from real situations is humbling.

I thank everyone who shared stories.

It's true that context and relationship can change us. It's one thing to have an opinion or belief, but it up-ends us when someone we love comes to us in their pain.

Thoughts?

April 11

Update to the update - our meeting has been moved to the Mac's House. See our "Next Gathering" section over yonder >>> for a googelly map...

Hi everybody we are looking forward taking our turn hosting Sunday while everyone is away. Directions to our house are here.

UPDATE: Hey everyone, Rachel is sick with a fever and throwing up today. Not sure what she will be like tomorrow (hopefully better). But is anyone else able to host tomorrow in case she's not better? Sorry for the last minute change!