Jonathan Reed to speak at Progressive Brethren Gathering.

A change of program has been announced for "Ready at the Thresholds: Progressive Brethren Gather," on Nov. 13-15 hosted by Elizabethtown (Pa.) Church of the Brethren. Jonathan Reed, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of Religion at the University of La Verne, Calif., has been announced as the featured presenter. Due to serious health concerns, Gordon Kaufman was forced to cancel his planned presentation.

In cooperation with Bethany Seminary’s Electronic Communications, most sessions will be webcast live with recordings available later (go to www.bethanyseminary.edu/webcast/summit2009).

This is the second Progressive Brethren Gathering, billed for "persons who see themselves as progressive and currently, or formerly, participating in the Church of the Brethren." It is sponsored by Womaen’s Caucus, Voices for an Open Spirit, and the Brethren Mennonite Council for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Interests (BMC).

Reed is an authority on first-century Palestine archaeology and has been involved in several major digs in the Middle East. His books include "The HarperCollins Visual Guide to the New Testament: What Archaeology Reveals About the First Christians," "Archaeology and the Galilean Jesus," and two books co-authored with John Dominic Crossan, "In Search of Paul: How Jesus’ Apostle Opposed Rome’s Empire with God’s Kingdom" and "Excavating Jesus: Beneath the Stones, Behind the Texts." He has been featured on the History Channel, "Good Morning America," and the National Geographic series "Science of the Bible." He and his family are members of La Verne Church of the Brethren.

Reed will give presentations on "Paul and Imperialism" and "Paul, Domination, and Sexuality" on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 14.

The weekend also will include opening worship on the theme, "Gathering at the Thresholds"; a variety of workshops; a banquet at Elizabethtown College on Saturday evening; Bible study led by Christina Bucher, dean of faculty and professor of Religion at Elizabethtown College; and a concluding service with the Elizabethtown Church, with BMC executive director Carol Wise bringing the message. Registration is $100 ($50 for students and $30 for children). Registration includes meals but not housing. Go to www.etowncob.org.

Source: 11/4/2009 Newsline