“Spiritual but Not Religious: Living Faith in the World Today” is the
theme of the 7th annual Progressive Brethren Gathering on Nov 7-9,
hosted by Stone Church of the Brethren in Huntingdon, Pa.
“Who are the Progressive Brethren? Progressives are people who are
open to new possibilities and directions that God’s spirit may be
leading,” explains an announcement of the gathering. “We embrace the
gifts of diversity, hospitality, intellectual pursuit, honest
engagement, and creative worship.” The event is a joint venture of
several organizations including the Open Table Cooperative, the Brethren
Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests, and Womaen’s Caucus.
The event will address current statistics and survey results
indicating a growth in the population of the “not religiously
affiliated” and those who consider themselves “spiritual” but not
“religious.” “Between 1990 and 2010, the number of Americans who claimed
to have no religious affiliation more than tripled, from 14 million to
46 million. This makes the so-called nones--individuals who respond to
questions about their religious affiliations with ‘none’--the fastest
growing ‘religious’ group in the United States,” said the announcement.
“So what does this mean for the church? What does this mean for
Progressive Brethren?”
The keynote speaker for the gathering is
Linda A. Mercadante, professor at Methodist Theological School in Ohio
and author of “Beliefs Without Borders: Inside the Minds of the
Spiritual but Not Religious.”
The registration deadline is Oct.
15. Hotel blocks and special rates are available from three local
hotels. Members of the Stone Church also are willing to host
participants in their homes at no charge. A limited number of
scholarships are available for those needing financial assistance to
attend. Please contact the Progressive Council at webmaestra@progressivebrethren.org.
For more information and online registration go to www.progressivebrethren.org/events/progressive-gathering-2014.
Source: 10/14/2014 Newsline
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