Convocation Schedule:

Monday, January 28th

9:00	Registration & Refreshments
10:00	Welcome & Introductions
10:30	Plenary - Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr.
11:45	Break: Visit Vendors
Noon	Lunch / Visit Vendors
1:30	Workshops
3:00	Break/Visit Vendors
3;15	Plenary - Dr. Katharine Henderson
4:30	Break
4:45	Buses Leave/Newman Center
5:15	Worship at Newman Center
6:15	Buses Return

Tuesday, January 29th

8:00	Registration & Refreshments
8:30	Morning Prayer
9:00	Plenary - Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr.
10:00	Break
10:15	Plenary - Dr. Wright
11:15	Talk Back with Keynoters
11:45	Noon day Prayer
Noon	Break
12:30	Convocation Luncheon
1:30	Adjournment

Guest appearances by:

Rev. Dr. Bernice Powell Jackson more info

Rev. Dr. Katherine Rhodes Henderson more info

Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. more info

Planned workshops:

Women, and Politics

by Dr. Pamela Paxton.

A detailed introduction to women’s political strengths and representation in the US and other countries.

Faith and Legislation

by Tom Smith, Jim Tobin, and Joyce Garver Keller.

How our faith informs the legislative issues we address as Protestants, Roman Catholics and Jews.

Faith and Environment

by Sr. Leanne M. Jablonski, the Rev. Kurt Keljo and Ms Carol Kuhre

This workshop will discuss the moral and theological issues underlying the environmental debate and appropriate roles for the faith community.

Faith and American Politics

presented by a team of Faith and American Politics, Inc., First Community Church founders...

This workshop will help people better understand how their faith informs and shapes their communities and the political process.

Faith-Based Advocacy

by representatives from BREAD, Sojourner and We Believe Ohio

This workshop will explore several models of faith-based advocacy. What are the promises and perils of prophetic advocacy?

Politics in the Pulpit

by Philip Moots

What can be said from the pulpit? When does one cross the line? What are the legal issues?

You are invited to a Religious Response to Climate Change, Saturday, March 15, 2008, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. at Broad Street Presbyterian Church, 760 E. Broad Street, Columbus. Speaker: The Rev. Sally Bingham.

To give visible expression to the deep communion that is ours in the Trinitarian life of God.

Additional information and events:

Reservations at the University Plaza Hotel

A block of rooms has been reserved at a rate of $88 plus tax for King/Double at the University Plaza Hotel, Olentangy River Rd (OSU), Columbus

Special Meals and Gatherings

Sponsored meals and gatherings during the Convocation

Tents of Hope

A journey of compassion and peace with the displaced persons of Darfur, Sudan.

Coaches Serving Ministry

Serving Ministry Professsionals, May - November, Methodist Theological School in Ohio.

A Jewish-Christian Dialogue

July 21-25, 2008; Great Lakes Theological Academy

Claim A Vision Together

Claim a New Vision - 2008 Ecumenical Women's Gathering, sponspored by Church Women United.

Ecumenical Institute

Ecumenical Institute 2009. Formation for Leadership. For more information, go to: www.geii.org.

Parliament of World's Religions

Parliament of World's Religions; 3-9 December 2009, Melbourne, Australia. For more information, go to: www.parliamentofreligions.org

Death Penalty Documentaries

Two powerful death penalty documentaries will be shown FREE.

What will you do with your tax rebate? The Hunger Network of Ohio suggests - sharing a portion with those less fortunate. Members of an Ashville, NC congregation have voted to give away anticipated tax rebates. They have written to the President and leaders of Congress, thanking them for their bipartisan work to address the nation's economic crisis, but go on to speak of the "frightening, and escalating, pattern of economic disparity" both within the US and between nations. They further state: "We do not believe shopping is an appropriate response to our trauma." The congregation calculated that 33 households in their membership would receive at least $25,000 - a significant influx of cash; and an exciting opportunity to consider extravagant missions funding." People across the theological spectrum can agree that "there's something terribly wrong" with the way things are. Together, we can rise up, enter the public arena with our concerns and insights, and find ways to alleviate the suffering caused by poverty."

WWJD? You might consider giving your tax rebate, or at least a portion to one of our own chosen charities. There are numerous possibilities.

Recognizing that "relinquishing our rebate checks is a modest step," the open letter explains "our vow to forego the extra income is a sign of our resolve to bear the cost of moving toward the beloved community."
(Thanks to HungerNetOhio for this information)