Grace McLaren will talk about her trip to Amahoro

Join the DC Cohort in welcoming Grace McLaren as our speaker Tuesday September 11, 2007. Grace will talk to us about her trip to Amahoro Africa this past spring with Brian and other emerging leaders. This promises to be an eye opening evening. We will meet at the Front Page in Dupont Ciricle. Details are in the post below.

Call with questions 202-885-8688 or ssheppard@wesleyseminary.edu

Blessings,

Sara

September 11, 2007 gathering at the Front Page

Hey all, We are looking forward to seeing everyone at the September 11 gathering at the Front Page at 7pm. This is our new location and seemed to work pretty well last time. We are moving the gathering to the second Tuesday of the month to accomodate yours truly who will be in class on Mondays during the fall - Thanks everyone!!





The reservation will either be under "DC Cohort" or my name, "Sara Sheppard" - try both. I know we had one person who couldn't find us last time and we apologise for that mix up. I'm working on a speaker and will let you know when I know as those plans fall into place.





There are couple events coming up from emergantvillage this fall. One is the annual gathering in New Mexico October 2 - 5th. There are at least 3 of us from the cohort who will attend so hope to have you join us and hang out in Sante Fe.




Also, Scot McKnight is hosting Emergence 2007 in Austin, TX October 19 - 20, 2007. This will be a weekend of conversation with the likes of Dan Kimball, Doug Pagitt and others. go to the Emergentvillage home page for information on both these events.

The Front Page
1333 New Hampshire Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036

Take the red line to Dupont Circle and walk across the street. 7pm.

Call me with questions - 202-885-8688

Blessings,

Sara

Next gathering July 16, 2007 - NEW PLACE!

Hi all, We are changing our venue and head'n into the city to Dupont Circle and the Front Page. The Front Page is a Washington DC institution and is on the red line at Dupont Circle. Use the south exit and walk across the street.



We are also meeting ONE WEEK later than usual - - Monday July 16th at 7pm. We hope those of you who could not make it to Bethesda will join us since we'll be across the street (literally) from the metro stop. No more schlepping 4 or 5 blocks or running the risk of a parking ticket - we are making it easy for you to be a part of this conversation.



Speaking of conversation, come and join us, share your thoughts on the emerging church, let us know what's happening in your churches, learn from each other about what's happening in the DC scene, enjoy a brew and berger. It doesn't get much better than this!

Monday July 16, 2007 - -7pm

See ya at the The Front Page

1333 New Hampshire Avenue, NW

Washington, DC

DC Cohort Schedule - May and June, 2007 - Big doings!

Church for the Rest of Us: A Gathering to Envision, Encourage, & Energize Renewing Mainline Congregations. Thursday May 10 - Saturday May 12, 2007 at the Washington National Cathedral.

Come join us at the Washington National Cathedral to reflect on the direction of the church. Share in creating a time of holy space in worship, music, meals and prayer. Explore key areas including worship, hospitality, discernment, tradition, justice, formation and beauty, drawn from Diana Butler Bass' latest book Christianity for the Rest of Us.

Speakers include: Howard Anderson, Diana Butler Bass, Marcus Borg, Tony Jones, Michael Battle and Samuel T. Lloyd. Theology Pub with Tony Jones and Steve Pankey. For more information go to http://www.cathedralcollege.org


Our next DC Cohort meeting will be Monday evening May 14th. We will have a conversation surrounding the recent Emergant Theological/Philosophical gathering in Philadelphia. Several of our own attended this meeting and hopefully they will share what they heard, learned and gleaned from the gathering.





June 11th will bring us Wes White, an American theologican who lives in Glasgow, Scotland and is spearheading the TREK (Theological Resoursing for an Emerging Kultur) across Europe. We are grateful that Wes was able to stay an extra day on his journey across the pond to spend an evening with us. TREK springs from the concept of sharing around the local table and in healthy mission.

White writes, "TREK is premised on the conviction that there is good and bad theology, and that the distance between the two is best measured by mission. Furthermore, we, the TREK Team, beleive that good theology includes facts (history, geography, personages, events, ect.) , but so much more. Healthy theology fancies the narrative, the nuance, the give and take, the mystery, the passion, and the imagination. In short, it personifies the freedom that inheres in God himself who is realationship in community (trinity) and who, in love (1John 4:8) invites the whole of creation into the ever expanding community of himself (mission)".


Please join us for a lively convesation this night.

More information about TREK can be found here http://www.localtable.org





We can be found at the Harp and Fiddle, 4844 Cordell Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814


on the 2nd Monday of the month in the back room at 7pm.





All are Welcome!

Mark Scandrette, author of Soul Grifitti, will be our speaker April 9th

We have a really exciting speaker on Monday April 9, 2007 7pm - - Mark Scandrette, author of the newly published Soul Grafitti: Making a Life in the Way of Jesus. Mark is the executive director and cofounder of ReIMAGINE, and a senior fellow with Emergent. He has contributed and authored several books including An Emergent Manifesto of Hope (due out April 1), The Relevant Church: A Vision for Communities of Faith and Community of Kindness. Mark has also been a pastor, a lecturer for the U.S. center for world Missions, a retreat leader and a life coach and spiritual director.

On April 9th, Mark will be with us to talk about has recent book, Soul Graffiti. This book explores the message of Jesus as an invitation to embrace life as a sacred journey, learning to collaborate with our Maker's intentions to bring healing and greater wholeness to our world. Through stories and reflections, Soul Grafitti addresses the questions, What was the essential message of Jesus and how can we inhabit that message as a way of life? What if everything matters? Soul Graffiti is an invitation to explore the life and teachings of Jesus as a pattern for pursueing a spiritual path that is fueled by compassion, creativity, community and connection. http://www.markscandrette.com/

The DC Cohort welcomes Mark Scandrette. Please join us!

Monday April 9, 2007

7pm - 9pm

The Harp and Fiddle

4844 Cordell Avenue

Bethesda, MD 20814

http://flanagansharpandfiddle.com

The Harp and Fiddle is within walking distance from the Bethesda Metro (red line) Exit the metro on the west side of Wisconsin Avenue. walk down Old Georgetown Road 1 block and turn right on Woodmont Avenue. Walk several blocks to cordell Avenue, turn left. The Harp and fiddle should be right there.

Blessings,

Sara

Homeless Church Ministry in DC

Join us Monday, March 12th at the Harp and Fiddle as we welcome Brian Lehman, founder of the Church of the Homeless in DC. Brian, an attorney turned pastor, began to fellowship and attend bible studies at the National Community Church along side the homeless of Washington, DC. He soon realized that many of the homeless needed more than an occasional hand-out, they needed a place to live out their faith. He learned from the men and women he fellowshiped with that the homeless often feel unwelcome at area churches. To fill this need, he created Church of the Homeless, a new church plant, to minister to their spiritual needs. They now meet regularly at Union Station.

Brian Lehman has been shaped by the writings of radical Christians such as Shane Clayborne and the inspirational preaching and writings of Mark Batterson at National Community Church. Brian will join us to tell his story, how he learned of this need, and how he answered God's call to serve the homeless. (www.churchofthehomeless.org).

Monday March 12th at 7pm

Flanegan's Harp and Fiddle

4844 Cordell Avenue

Bethesda, MD 20814

We'll be in the back room.

Hope to see you there,

Sara

Special Invitation to the Dominican House of Studies this Sunday Feb 18

Greetings! We have received an invitation from Karen Sloan, a Presbyterian minister from New Haven, CT who is interested in exploring 'new/old' monastic connections to visit the Dominican House of Studies Sunday afternoon Feb 18th. Karen visited the Dominicans with Brian McLaren this past October, has written an article about them published in Relevant magazine and is now making a return visit to DC. The Dominicans are, as she put's it, "Emergent-minded", and eager to share their tradition.

The schedule for Sunday is:
3:30 - 4:00pm Gathering and Tour of the House of Studies
4:00 - 5:30pm Presentation, Conversation, Q&A, about Dominican Life
5:40 - 6:00pm Evening Prayer with the Dominicans in their Chapel

If possible, Karen requests an RSVP to flirtingwithmonasticism@gmail.com so they will know how many to expect.

The address is:

Dominican House of Studies
487 Michigan Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20017-1585
http://www/dhs.edu/about/directionsandmap.aspx

If you have time before hand, the Basilica of the National Shrine is across the street. Not only is this a beautiful sancutary, but there are a couple of book stores worth browsing. This sounds like an exciting opportunity! The link to the Dominican House of Studies website is http://www.dhs.edu

Hope to see you there. Let me know if you have any questions!

Blessings,

Sara

Atlanta Mainline cohort follow-on

Hi all - hope some of you are down in beautiful Atlanta at the Mainline-Emerging cohort meeting. I know one of our own is there, Steve Pankey and he has graciously offered to lead the next cohort meeting 7pm on March 12, 2007 at the Harp and Fiddle in Bethesda. I'm looking forward hearing what's happening in the mainline meets emerging world and I hope you all are too. For questions and inquiries, please contact Sara Sheppard at ssheppard@wesleyseminary.edu.

Blessings

Next meeting January 15th, 2007

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!! Our next meeting will be in '07 on January 15th at the Harp and Fiddle in Bethesda. We look forward see everyone there. The peace of Christ be with you during this holiday season.

Sara

Harp and Fiddle December 11, 2006

Hi all! Our next gathering will be at the Harp and Fiddle in Bethesda on December 11 at 7 pm. They have a sweet little back room that has served us well and may become our regular space. Come on out for a little Advent cheer and conversation. I am working on a speaker, but if anyone has a burning topic they would like to discuss drop me an e-mail.

Other tentative dates to put on your calenders are January 15, February 12 and March 12. We will meet from 7 pm - 9 pm each time.

Blessings!!

Sara

Brian McLaren, Pete Rollins and Phyllis Tickle Panel for November

Thanks to Nadia at Illif for setting up a terrific panel for us in November. We will meet Sunday November 19th - during the AAR meetings - to engage Brian McLaren, Pete Rollins and Phyllis Tickle. Keelan Downton has agreed to be the host for this DC Cohort event.

We will meet at the Capitol City Brewing Company from 7pm - 9pm (1100 New York Avenue, NW, WDC 202-628-2222) at 11th and H street. They are one block north of Metro Center.

Brian McLaren is author of many titles on the emerging movement and one of the co-founders of Emergent Village. He is also the founding pastor for Cedar Ridge Community Church in Spencerville, MD. Brian is currently traveling the world speaking on many emerging topics. For his schedule, go to http://www.brianmclaren.net/

Pete Rollins is the founder and co-ordinator of Ikon (a community which describes itself as iconic, apocalyptic, heretical, emerging and failing) as well as being a writer and freelance lecturer in Philosophy. Check out his blog at http://www.ignite.cd/blogs/Pete/

Phyllis Tickle, for many years Contributing Editor in Religion to Publishers Weekly, the international journal of the book industry, is frequently quoted in sources like USA Today, Christian Science Monitor, NY Times, PBS, NPR, The Hallmark Channel, etc., Tickle is an authority on religion in America and a much sought after lecturer on the subject. For additional information and to view her recent publications go to http://www.phyllistickle.com/

We are looking forward to this event and hope to see you all there. Let me know if there are questions. Blessings,

Sara

Tonight October 16th

Greetings - We are meeting tonight, however our speaker has the flu, so we'll engage her another time. BUT! Still come. We have dessert and coffee and good conversation happen' here. See you at 7pm at Wesley. Call me with questions 202-885-8688.

Sara

Diana Butler Bass at "Our House" Monday Oct 16th

Greetings, We are excited to host Diana Butler Bass as our guest for the next DC Emerging Cohort. We will meet this month at "our house", Wesley Theological Seminary. Dinner is available in the dining hall for $7.50 and is served between 5:30 and 6:30. We will provide coffee, soda, water and dessert during the discussion time. The seminary is located at 4500 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, DC. For directions click here. We will gather at 6:30 in Elderdice Hall (follow the signs) and begin the discussion at 7pm with a wrap up by 9pm.

Diana Butler Bass is joining us to discuss her new book that was published this month, Christianity For the Rest of Us. We will have few copies on hand ( read 2) if you want to purchase one and have her sign it. You may also want to go to your local book-monger and purchase it to bring with you. I also have 2 copies of one of her other books, The Practicing Congregation: Imagining a New Old Church. Let me know if you have any questions.

An Inconvience Truth: If you haven't had a chance to see this movie you have a chance back here at WTS Tuesday night Oct 17th for a FREE screening. Contact Eleanor Gease at 202-885-8611 with questions.

See you Monday! Blessings,

Sara

An evening with Dr. Don Dayton

It was great to spend the evening with renowned church historian Dr. Don Dayton. In a casual dinner conversation Dr. Dayton shared stories of his numerous experiences in religious institutions that range from the most conservative to the most liberal. He told of how he often shocks both conservative and liberal institutions with information about their own history that they have forgotten.

We spent some time discussing the "great reversal". A time in American church history where religious institutions that are now considered to be the most socialy conservative were at the forefront of social change (abolitionism, women's suffrage, etc.). If you are interested in hearing this story in some detail I highly reckoned Dr. Dayton's influential book, Discovering an Evangelical Heritage.

I am excited also for our next meeting, mark your calendars for the evening of October the 16th when author and theologian, Diana Butler-Bass will be with us to talk about her book, Christianity For The Rest of Us. Details forthcoming.

Grace and peace,
jason

A Conversation with Don Dayton

Come on out and join in a conversation with Don Dayton. Don Dayton will be our guest speaker for the September 18th Cohort gathering at Guapos - see below for details. He is in town to preach at Wesley Theological Seminary for our weekly chapel service at 11 am on Tuesday September 19. Don will also be the speaker for a Dean's forum at 12:30pm following the chapel service. His talk is entitled "Deconstructing the Conservative/Liberal Paradigm" All are welcome at either of these events on campus. Please RSVP to ssheppard@wesleyseminary.edu so I can save you a seat. Lunch is available for $7.50. Wesley is located right next to American University on Massachusetts Avenue. Our address is 4500 Massachusetts Avenue, NW. Washington, DC 20016.

Details for the DC Cohort Monday September 18 - We will meet at 7pm at Guapos in Tenleytown. The address is: 4515 Wisconsin Avenue, Washington, DC 20016. They are on the Red Line at the Tenleytown Metro stop. We will be in the upstairs room. Tell them you are with the DC Cohort - or just come on upstairs. See you there!

Change of plans... Next Cohort Meeting Monday September 18

Hey gang, change of plans - The next cohort meeting will take place Monday September 18th at Guapos in Tenleytown. We have reserved the upstairs rooms so tell your friends and neighbors so we meet the minimum required number. :)

We will have a guest speaker, Don Dayton, author of "Discovering an Evangelical Heritage" with us to talk about the emerging church. Should be really great!

Let me know if you have questions.

Peace,

Sara

Next Meeting September 11

Hi all, we will not be meeting next Monday and instead taking the month of August off. We will resume on Monday September 11, 2006 location TBD. We are searching for an appropriate location in DC for the DC cohort to meet... go figure. Let us know if there is something on your mind you'd like to discuss, a book you've read or anything in between.

Peace,

Sara

"The Story We Find Ourselves In" Conference

Curious about the emerging church, where we came from and where we are going?

Explore the exciting heritage of Protestantism in America with us in September.

Speakers include: Brian McLaren, Estrelda Alexander, Scott Kisker, Diana Butler Bass, Doug Strong, Tim Keel, Don Dayton and Ron White.

September 18-21, 2006 at Cedar Ridge Community Church

Highlights include a Love feast, a Camp Meeting in a historic outdoor tabernacle, and Emerging Worship featuring Harp 46

Rates, Registration and Conference information available at http://www.wesleysem.edu/mci/story/default.asp

Register Now!

Questions? Contact Sara Sheppard at ssheppard@wesleyseminary.edu

Lets get together!

Hey all,

Let's get together Monday night, July 10th at the Harp and Fiddle in Bethesda at 7:00. I thought we'd get a little theological and discuss atonement theory.

Hope to see you then!

Jason

Good times

Thanks to everyone who joined us last week at the Harp and Fiddle. We had an interesting conversation about denominationalism and its continued relevance. Thanks especially to Keelan who lead the discussion and let us use a paper of his as a starting point for our conversation.

The floor is open again for people to offer suggestions for our next discussion topic.