Finding the Sacred in the 21st Century: New Ways of Looking at Spirituality
Finding the Sacred in the 21st Century: New Ways of
Looking at Spirituality
15-17 July 2024
Conference Chair: Prof John Drane
Conference Chaplain: Revd Lorraine Cavanagh
We live in a world where the ‘old ways’ of being religious (inherited from Christendom and western culture more generally) work only for an ever-shrinking minority of people. For the majority, they are no longer engaging, comprehensible or attractive.
Yet there is an explosion of spirituality and spiritual practices all around us, if we know where to look. As Christians, we often don’t, and fail to apprehend or attend to the fertile opportunities to engage with and understand ‘alternative’ manifestations of meaning-making, God-talk and embodied spiritual practices that are at play in our world. What can we learn if we open ourselves to dialogue with those outside religion; paying attention to what they are doing to connect with deep life themes traditionally interpreted through faith? And what can we offer back from our own Christian traditions? What do we make of it? How do we feel about it? How does it challenge us? How can we distinguish healthy spiritualities from toxic ones? Can we create a shared language and common ground?
Timetable
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | |
| 9.30 | Session 4: Case Study
The dynamics and dangers of popular spirituality (Anne & John) |
Session 8: Keynote: Anne Richards | |
| 11.00 | BREAK | ||
| 11.30 | Session 5: Keynote: Diana Greenfield
‘Navigating the New Age’ |
Session 9: Conclusion
Eucharist |
|
| LUNCH | |||
| 14.00 | Introductions
Ice Breakers |
Different landscapes (nature/
digital) against which spiritual practices take place:
|
Modern Church AGM |
| 14.30 | Session 1: Keynote: John Drane
Overview of theme
|
||
| 16.00 | BREAK | ||
| 16.30 – 18.00 | Session 2: 1st Panel
Neoliberalism and pop culture
|
Session 6: 2nd Panel
Spirituality of Social Justice
|
|
| DINNER | |||
| 19.30 | Session 3: Popular Culture, Spirituality and the Media (John and Anne)
Holy Island/New Forest/ASMR Participants’ experiences |
Session 7: 3rd Panel
Fresh Expressions and Pioneering
|
|
| 21.00 | Night Prayer/Compline
Christ Pantocrator? |
Night Prayer/Compline | |
Modern Church Conference 2024: Booking Details
High Leigh Conference Centre, Lord Street, Hoddesdon, Herts, EN11 8SG
(www.cct.org.uk) is comfortable, well-equipped, and easily accessible by car and public transport. All rooms are en suite with a shower or bath and tea/coffee making facilities in the room; they have single, twin or double beds.
Conference fees:
Full residence in an en suite room per person: £265
Modern Church member’s discount: £25
A non-refundable deposit of £40 will secure a place; full payment is requested by 31 May 2024. However, payment in full with your booking would save time for you and for us. If you have to cancel within 4 weeks of the conference, we may need to retain the full booking fee if we cannot re-allocate your room.
Reduced fees:
A reduction in fees may be available for those on very low incomes. Please contact the Modern Church Administrator for an application form.
Sponsor a student:
Modern Church is keen to encourage students to attend this conference and where possible offer them free places. A contribution towards the cost would be appreciated. There is an option for this on the booking form.
Please return completed booking form to:
Nic Tall, Modern Church Administrator, 2 The Orchard, Dowell Close, Taunton, TA2 6BN