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Epiphany Explorations Gears Up For its 13th Run with Expanded Video Features
David Bray, Victoria
Volume 28 Issue 10, 11 & 12 | Posted: December 29, 2014
Registrations are flowing in for Epiphany Explorations 2015, the annual faith-based Victoria conference that has participants and presenters talking. And now there’s an increased opportunity to take in the four days of sessions through live video streaming.
The conference sponsored by First Metropolitan United Church, coming up to its 13th edition in January, provides provocative and thought-provoking looks and discussions on faith-based and contemporary issues and an often eclectic mix of presentations, music and visual arts.
Past presenters like scholar, theologian and writer Marcus Borg, who has twice been a featured speaker, call Epiphany Explorations “the best church-run conference in North America.”
Registrations are flowing in for Epiphany Explorations 2015, the annual faith-based Victoria conference that has participants and presenters talking. And now there’s an increased opportunity to take in the four days of sessions through live video streaming.
The conference sponsored by First Metropolitan United Church, coming up to its 13th edition in January, provides provocative and thought-provoking looks and discussions on faith-based and contemporary issues and an often eclectic mix of presentations, music and visual arts.
Past presenters like scholar, theologian and writer Marcus Borg, who has twice been a featured speaker, call Epiphany Explorations “the best church-run conference in North America.”
The conference is scheduled for Jan. 22-25 at First Metropolitan, Quadra Street and Balmoral Road in Victoria. There will not be a Monday post-conference event this time.
Organizers have packed the roster with the usual impressive list of speakers from many Christian denominations as well as presenters on social justice issues. Topics include church renewal, recent findings of theological scholarship, contemporary understandings of faith and provide plenty of opportunities for spiritual nurture.
Presenters for January 2015 include: Andrew Weaver, climate scientist and British Columbia MLA on the history of the science behind climate change and the opportunities for innovation and creativity; Peter Rollins, provocative Northern Ireland writer, lecturer, philosopher and theologian and a prominent figure in Radical Theology; David Felten, co-creator of the “Living the Questions” program, founding director of the Arizona Foundation for Contemporary Theology and an outspoken advocate of LGBT rights in the church and community; Gary Paterson, Moderator of the United Church of Canada, speaking on the changing church; Lois Wilson, former Moderator and former Senator; and University of Victoria researcher Siobhan Chandler on the “Spiritual but not Religious” among us.
Multi-talented musician and composer Brian Tate will present the conference’s trademark Sunday afternoon concert.
“This year we have a delightfully eclectic mix,” says Allan Saunders, Lead Minister at First Met, who began the annual series in 2003. “Peter Rollins of Ireland, for one, has been creating a stir with his ideas about a ‘Trickster Christ’ and ‘subversive Spirituality.’”
Innovations for the next event include an expanded livestreaming option to allow participants to watch the full conference or individual sessions online, go back and review sessions or catch up later. There is a special livestreaming fee for full-time registrants. First Met has been livestreaming regular Sunday services for several years and with new investment in technology is taking the online options to another level. The conference has already been offering DVDs of some sessions for several years.
“This year we are taking livestreaming up another notch,” says Saunders. “It will allow people to take part if they can’t physically be there for any or even all the sessions or let registrants go back and see sessions again if they missed something or just want to see it another time.”
Organizers are encouraging the use of online registration, asking anyone registering to note any special needs so coordinators can plan ahead. Further information and registration is available at:
David Bray, Victoria