Call To Action 2003 Conference

Call To Action National Conference
Friday Seminars and Days of Reflection

What Are They Saying About Jesus?

Bernard Cooke (photo, top left) and Pauline Turner (top right) moderate this panel of international and young adult theologians discussing the Christ event in their current pastoral and cultural contexts. How do we speak about the salvific meaning of the Paschal Mystery in a pluralistic society? In a postmodern one? Where Christianity is a minority religion, as it is in Asia? From the experience of globalization? Panelists include Teresia Hinga (bottom left) from Kenya (details here); and Rachel Bundang (bottom right) from the Philippines, who has researched Filipina-American religious experience. Cooke and Turner are both teaching theology at Loyola University's Institute for Ministry in New Orleans. Bernard's latest book is The Future of Eucharist. His next will be on the theology of power and the Holy Spirit.
Friday, 9 AM-2:45 PM (1.01)

Sexuality: Vehicle of Peacemaking Extraordinaire

Terry and Holly Nelson-Johnson are co-presenters with Tom Fox. To be at peace is to know oneself as rooted and whole. Though it seems ironic in light of recent horrors, sexuality is an extraordinary vehicle both of coming to know peace and of peacemaking. This workshop will explore the many ways that sexuality's peacemaking capacity has been squandered, repressed, distorted and feared. Looking to the future we will reclaim, celebrate, proclaim and commit ourselves to boldly exercising our sexuality in the service of peacemaking. Journalist Tom Fox is author of Sexuality and Catholicism. (His Saturday session described here.) The Nelson-Johnsons give workshops on marriage, relationship and sexuality in the Chicago area, where Holly is a family nurse practitioner in integrative medicine, and Terry is director of faith formation at Old St. Patrick's Church.
Friday, 9 AM- 2:45 PM (1.02)

Revitalizing the Liturgy: The Transformative Power of Dance and Drama

Susan Pudelek (photo, left) and Jane Siarny, performing artists, present step-by-step methods to create embodied liturgies. Come explore bodyspirit awareness and dramatic movement. Work with Scripture texts, images and characters for personal and liturgical prayer. Music and art are integral elements. If willing you will be part of the Friday evening conference prayer service, choreographed by Jane and Susan. Pudelek, M. Div., is a speaker, preacher and presider who teaches movement prayer and body theology. Siarny, MFA Dance, has choreographed CTA conference liturgies since 1999. She teaches InterPlay, a philosophy and practice that re-integrates body and spirit.
Friday, 9 AM- 2:45 PM (1.03)

From Violence to Wholeness: Transforming Ourselves and Our World

Cindy and Ken Preston-Pile (photos, top) and Christina Leaño collaborate with Bob McClory in this workshop on the transformative power of active nonviolence to create peace. McClory's presentation delves into the Christian history and theology of peacemaking (his separate session described here). The Preston-Piles and Leaño - trainers in the From Violence to Wholeness program of Pace e Bene Nonviolence Service in Oakland, Calif., lead a process using ritual, stories, interactive exercises, creative expression, and presentation. We learn how to cultivate the spiritual power of nonviolence to respond to both personal and structural violence. Cindy has worked with Pax Christi and the Nevada Desert Experience; Christina with the East Asia-U.S. Puerto Rico Women's Network Against Militarism; and Ken with Global Exchange and Peace Brigades International.
Friday, 9 AM- 2:45 PM (1.04)

Women in the Church: Healing Gender Issues. Not for women only!

Christine Schenk, csj (photo, top left), Roberta Nobleman (top right) and Mary Whited present a workshop designed to re-imagine relationships between women and men in the Church. Men are needed and welcomed! Schenk gives biblical examples of mutuality from Genesis to Jesus to St. Paul. Nobleman debuts her new drama: Midwifery! The performance throws fresh light on well known Gospel figures such as the bent over woman and the woman with the flow of blood as seen through the eyes of Peter's wife "Sarah," a midwife. (Read more about Nobleman here.) Facilitator Mary Whited, CPPS, leads participants in an interactive process of naming their own experience, reflection, reconciliation and re-imagining. Based on a highly successful program designed for and by men and women religious in Precious Blood communities, the program could be replicated in your own faith community.
Friday, 9 AM- 2:45 PM (1.05)

Sacred Sound/Sacred Healing

Norma Gentile is a professional singer and auric healer. In this intensive seminar, by opening our hearts through sound, breath, meditation and gentle movement, she enables us to bring alive our voices. Sound passes through our entire body. By adding sacred intention to our voices we can magnify spiritual practices such as Reiki, Healing Touch, and prayer. Speaking in deep conversation with another, or through chanting and toning, we share this process of spiritual magnification, and then can teach it to others. Gentile specializes in the music of Hildegard, the medieval German mystic (her Saturday workshop described here). Her concerts and workshops reflect her passion for bringing music from the inaudible realms into the physical world for healing purposes. Meditation Chants and Unfurling Love's Creation are among her recordings.
Friday, 9 AM- 2:45 PM (1.06)