October 2-5 2007 Glorietta, New Mexico
Since ancient times tribes of people have gathered to tabernacle—to rest, celebrate and feast together—with a sense of expectancy and awareness of the Maker’s presence.
What can happen when 200 people converge for three days to relax, feast and talk about the things that matter most to us? Friendships are deepened. Memories are made. Imaginations are awakened. Hope and a sense of solidarity are rediscovered. New projects and collaborations get instigated.
For almost a decade now people have been making pilgrimage to the annual Emergent Gathering in Santa Fe, New Mexico. This is one of the events sponsored by Emergent Village that I believe best embodies our commitment to generative friendship. The Emergent Gathering is a participatory “happening,” where we conspire and collaborate together to create hospitality, conversations and common action. An advanced planning team sets up basic logistics like housing, food, and a daily rhythm. But beyond this, participants are invited to host conversations and activities each day.
Talking is one of the rhythms that helps us discover what it means to seek the kingdom of God in the times and places where we live. We like to say that the Emergent Gathering is a “for-us-by-us” advanced conversation where we learn from one another. We especially welcome voices from vocations that are not primarily “pastoral” or academic to encourage cross-pollination among life disciplines.
What I love most about the Emergent Gathering is the intensive experience of community that is facilitated by sharing life together over 72 hours. The relaxed atmosphere and beautiful surroundings allow us to have integrative encounters: hearing each other’s stories while preparing a meal; hiking or gallery-hopping while talking about issues of faith, ecology or spiritual leadership; discussing theology or the new sciences while sitting in the sun down by a lake; learning and practicing healthful life skills like yoga, meditative prayer, cooking, poetry and song writing, textile design or how to taste the nuances of coffees from around the world.
If you have been around Emergent Village and the emerging church conversation for a while and are looking for a way to become more relationally connected, the Emergent Gathering is a great place to transition from observer to participant. It is also a good space to meet and talk with people face-to-face that you may know through books or blogs. I encourage you to consider joining us this October.
This year the Emergent Gathering is October 2-5 at Glorieta Conference Center near Santa Fe, New Mexico. The Gathering will begin on Tuesday afternoon at 3 P.M. and conclude on Friday before noon.
The cost for this event is $75 per adult, which includes all meals and organizing expenses. Children (12 and under) are free. 12-17 year olds are $35. Go here to register.
Participants must make their own housing arrangements with the conference center. Rates are quite reasonable and shared housing is suggested.
To make housing arrangements, please call Glorieta conference center directly 800-797-4222. We have two kinds of housing reserved:
-The Thunderbird Inn ($49 per night for two queen beds).
-The Garden Apartments ($55 per night includes kitchen, two beds and a hide-away couch; large apartments can accommodate 4-6 people, small apartments can accommodate 2-4 people)
-Camping is also available. $17 for RV hook up.
Spaces for this event will fill up fast, so I encourage you to register early.
We are looking for people interested in helping organize and host the event. We have four teams: Conversations, Activities, Food, & Hospitality. If you want to join one of the teams, contact dofarrell AT bridgesonline DOT org
We hope to see you in Santa Fe this October!!!
Mark Scandrette, for the planning team:
Saranell & Tim Hartman
Jen and Damien O’Farrell
Stacy and Mike Stavlund
Holly & Ryan Sharp
Troy and Kelly Bronsink
Wendy Eason
Randy Buist
Doug Pagitt
Michael Toy
