Marilyn Dalzell, Victoria

    Excitement is growing as the twelfth annual Epiphany Explorations at Victoria’s First Metropolitan United Church approaches. Who hasn’t experienced fear around the seismic challenges and changes that are now a constant element in our lives?  The series promises surprisingly positive approaches to this twenty-first century reality.
    “Epiphany Explorations is inspiration, hope, joy and a vision of what church can be. Extremely meaningful, spiritually and intellectually.” –  2013 Participant

    Excitement is growing as the twelfth annual Epiphany Explorations at Victoria’s First Metropolitan United Church approaches. Who hasn’t experienced fear around the seismic challenges and changes that are now a constant element in our lives?  The series promises surprisingly positive approaches to this twenty-first century reality.
    “Epiphany Explorations is inspiration, hope, joy and a vision of what church can be. Extremely meaningful, spiritually and intellectually.” –  2013 Participant
    What new spiritual territories are there for you to discover at Epiphany Explorations 2014? First Metropolitan United Church will be hosting four days of spirit and mind enriching presentations, workshops and vibrant networking from January 16 – 20, 2014. Participants have come to expect, and eagerly anticipate challenging and inspirational spiritual conversation led by this century’s most influential thinkers. This year’s themes on the relationships between science, creation, theology and the future of religion are tackled not only by leading representatives of established Christian religions, but also those with First Nations, Jewish and Islamic perspectives.
    Music and visual art help to create the warmly welcoming atmosphere. Sessions are embraced by contemporary music performed by guest singer-songwriter Linnea Good, and some of Victoria’s best folk and jazz musicians, including the quirky Indie root folk quartet West My Friend, jazz pianist Aidan Miller and the dynamic Maureen Washington Daniel Cook Duo. 
    The concert and musical workshops at Epiphany Explorations are always uplifting; this year will be no exception with Linnea Good’s appearance. She’s been described as “the contemporary musical voice of the emerging church in Canada” and will lead a concert “Get on the Jesus Bus! Songs of a Bumpy Ride with Sheer Joy”.
    A totem pole by Kwagiulth carver Tony Hunt Jr. will be on display throughout the conference. Tony Hunt is carving the pole in First Met’s sanctuary between November 2013 and January 2014. Of British, Kwagiulth and Salish descent, master carver Carey Newman’s installation “The Witness Blanket” will also be on display. This collaborative work in progress is destined to become a national monument to mark the Indian Residential School era and honour the survivors.
    Opening day sessions will be led by noted Jewish scholar and rabbi, Harry Brechner and Muslim journalist and anti-racism activist Raheel Raza. Both are welcomed back for insights from their faith perspectives.
    Keynote speaker, Phyllis Tickle, a leading voice on Emergence Christianity, travels from Tennessee to give three presentations. In this first appearance in Victoria, she’ll lead an examination of the seemingly cataclysmic upheaval of the Christian church. Participants can expect a thorough exploration of the key opportunities and challenges of twenty-first century life.
    Tickle is founding editor of the Religion Department of Publishers Weekly, and is an authority of religion in America. In addition to lectures and numerous essays, articles and interviews, Tickle is the author of over two dozen books in religion and spirituality, most recently Emergence Christianity, What It Is, Where It Is Going, and Why it Matters, The Great Emergence, How Christianity is Changing and Why and The Words of Jesus, a Gospel of the Sayings of Our Lord.
    A strong conversational theme around the relationship between science, psychology and religion runs through the 21 main sessions and workshops.
    Challenging thought will be provoked by documentarian Brian Paisley’s “Thinking about Eternity”. Bob MacDonald, CBC’s popular host of Quirks and Quarks presents “Recent Epiphanies in the Scientific World”.
    American Evolutionary theologian Michael Dowd gives the final presentation of the series, expanding on his 2012 Tedx talk with “Sacred Science  Big History, Human Nature, Death.”
    A strong through-theme of Epiphany Explorations 2014 is optimistic and hopeful response to the rapidly changing religious landscape. Questions and positive responses to human rights and social justice issues facing the church will be addressed in diverse ways by speakers who have successfully faced these head on.
    Gary Paterson, moderator of the United Church of Canada invites participants to “Gamble everything for Love (Rumi)” and grapple with the transformational possibilities for twenty-first century religion.
    Brent Hawkes, senior pastor of Toronto’s Metropolitan Community Church speaks about the phenomenal growth of his congregation. Hawkes is best known for presiding at the memorial service for Jack Layton.
    Also noted for unprecedented congregational growth, Mike Piazza presents “Fifty Shades of Grace — Faithfully connecting Christ and Culture in the 21st Century”. Piazza draws on the transformative experience of the Cathedral of Hope and recent consultations with diverse congregations in the USA and Canada.
   Both Metropolitan Community Church and the Cathedral of Hope have become vibrant growing churches that serve the needs of a broadly diverse community, including those of the LGBT community.
    Recent Vancouver hearings by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission have been very much top-of mind as Canadians grapple with making appropriate and adequate response. With “Hope Named, Steps Being Taken,” Commissioner Marie Wilson brings the compelling questions of how new relationships embedded in mutual recognition and respect that will forge a brighter future for aboriginal and non-aboriginal Canadians.
    Hunger provoked by all of the mind and spirit enriching sessions is well sated by a stunning array of ethnically diverse meal offerings, delightfully catering to every possible dietary need.
    Access to 2014 Epiphany Explorations has become virtually unbounded by space or time. Live streaming was successfully piloted in 2013, and will available for all sessions.
    All sessions take place from January 16 through 19 at First Metropolitan United Church, 932 Balmoral Road, Victoria, BC, V8T 1A8. For registration information, visit www.epiphany.firstmetvictoria.com or call 250-388-5189. Early bird registration closes November 30, 2013.