Registration opens for Religion Communication Congress.

RCCongress 2010, a Religion Communication Congress held once every 10 years, is scheduled for April 7-10 next year in Chicago, Ill. "Embracing change, communicating faith in today’s world" is the theme for the congress. The Church of the Brethren is one of the participating denominations in this inter-faith event, which is expected to bring together more than 1,200 religious communication professionals.

The congress will include plenary speakers, numerous workshops, roundtable discussions in interest groups, an exhibit hall, and other resources to help communicators explore topics such as "Social change invites us to new ministries," "Religious change invites us to new dialogue," and "Technological change entices us to new modes of reaching out."

Featured presenters include speakers Otis Moss III and Martin Marty, musicians Ken Medema and Earl Talbot, a "multi-faith comedy team" of Rabbi Bob Alper, Baptist minister Susan Sparks, and Chicago-born Muslim comedian Azhar Usman, and many others.

Former Church of the Brethren denominational staff Stewart M. Hoover has been announced as one of the presenters. He is professor of Media Studies in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Colorado at Boulder, and a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of the journal "Media and Religion" as well as founding co-chair of the Religion, Culture, and Communication Program Unit at the American Academy of Religion. He will co-lead a seminar on "Global Media, Global Religion: Research on Popular Media and the Remaking of Religions."

Early bird registration is open through Jan. 15, 2010, for $25 off the individual registration fee of $400 ($225 for full-time students and retirees). Participants make their own arrangements for accommodations. Exhibitors are requested to register by Sept. 1. Go to http://www.rccongress2010.org/ for more information and online registration. Registration booklets are available, contact registrar Melissa Dixon, Religion Communication Congress 2010, 475 Riverside Dr., Suite 800, New York, NY 10115; 212-870-2574.

Source: 7/30/2009 Newsline