|
SPAFER ... a forum for religious and spiritual
exploration
Welcome to the home page for SPAFER, South Points
Association for Exploring Religion. SPAFER, a
501(c)-3 non-profit organization, was formed in 2000 by Ken Forbes,
Burdett Wantland, and several others who, following informal conversations
at a Jesus Seminar, felt the need to have a forum in the Mid-South
to discuss and explore religious questions and issues that orthodoxy
does not seem to address. SPAFER is composed of
a group of individuals in the Mid-South area who enjoy meeting
periodically and discussing religious issues in a free and respectful
atmosphere. SPAFER also from time to time sponsors
speakers who provide different and stimulating insights into religious
questions. An example of such speakers is Bishop John Shelby Spong
who was sponsored by SPAFER and spoke in Birmingham, Alabama, on
March 7, 2002 and on March 10-11, 2004.
News and Meetings (to see more about Barbara Brown
Taylor click on the link to the left)
On September 24-25, 2010, Dr. Barbara Brown Taylor will present
our 17th lecture series in Birmingham. She earned the Master
of Divinity from the Yale Divinity School, and is an orgained minister
in the Episcopal Church. She has eight Doctor of Divinity honorary
degrees, and has authored 12 books. More details on her biographical
sketch can be found here.
To see more details of this lecture series or to make reservations,
go here.
Rev. Lauren Artress
On July 15-16, Rev. Dr. Lauren Artress will
be in Birmingham, speaking at Highlands United Methodist Church.
The website is
She is giving a free lecture Thursday evening, and will offer
a workshop on the labyrinth,
and a path toward healing. The event is focused on the need for
spiritual, physical, and communal healing, and the labyrinth as
a tool for walking meditation. Saturday and Sunday there will be
a Veriditas labyrinth facilitator training, information is available
on the website or at http://www.veriditas.org/programs/training.shtml
Lauren's presence here in Birmingham (her first time
to be in this area) and her presentations should be of interest
to folks throughout the Southeast.
There will be two labyrinth walks, one Thursday evening
at the conclusion of the lecture, and Friday afternoon, at the
conclusion of the workshop.
Please feel free to contact here for
more information, New! Tupelo RoadHouse Organized!
On November 8, 2008, 17 people met in Tupelo, MS, to form a SPAFER
RoadHouse group. See this page for more
information about the new Tupelo group and their meeting schedule..
History of Science and Religion
There is now a section on the SPAFER site that gives a brief history
of science and religion, complete with off-site Web references
for further study and more detail. Go here to
view this presentation.
The Miracle - A Creation Story for Our Time
Brian Swimme and Thomas Berry have written a stunning book entitled,
"The Creation Story," a book that retells the story of creation
from a perspective of 21st century science. Swimme and Berry are
both amazing writers who spin a tale of creation that captures
the awe and mystery of cosmic evolution.
Your Web master has presented a version of this book in a couple
of places to those who were interested. A Word copy
of my notes for those who are interested is now posted on this
site. I urge you to read this brief interpretation of the book,
and then buy the book and read it cover to cover. It is one of
those "must
read" books
for all of us, especially if you find youself interested in spiritual
naturalism. It is a rather large file, so please be patient. Go
here to download the Word document into your computer.
The Mission of SPAFER
SPAFER, a progressive community of faith for those who wish to
enjoy fellowship and intellectual stimulation with others of like
mind and spirit.
The mission of SPAFER is to provide in the Mid-South
region an open forum for people interested in religious inquiry.
We provide educational opportunities, fellowship, and fun for
those who have difficulty with religious orthodoxy. We provide
new meanings to life, new friends, and a safe space for dialogue
and study with diverse people.
We do this through:
- providing individuals with continuing education and with the
intellectual resources helpful to their self-directed search
for God (periodic lectures by respected national figures like
Bishop Spong and Dr. Stephen Patterson, Dr. Hal Taussig, Bart
Ehrman, and Dr. Marcus Borg of the Jesus Seminar)
- creating community at convenient points throughout the Mid-South,
participation in small local group discussions called "RoadHouses," and
regional retreats where one's expressions will be received with
respect
- publishing newsletters and small booklets, for example, our
forthcoming newsletter and also the SPAFER Oasis published
bi-monthly
... all of this in a safe atmosphere of caring and understanding.
Won't You Join Us?
Everyone is welcome to join the RoadHouse meetings held in Birmingham,
Alabama. We also invite you to become a member of SPAFER and
receive the bi-monthly publications. See the link on the left-hand
side of this page.To receive more information on SPAFER through
an email communication, enter your email address in the box below:
| Join Our Email Mailing List |
|
Links to Other Sites of Possible Interest
The Center for Progressive Christianity - "Religion
doesn't have to be irrelevant, ineffectual, or repressive. "
Connections - an
interesting progressive Christian newsletter written by a United
Methodist woman, Barbara Wendland, from Temple, Texas.
To report problems on this Web site, please send mail to: spaferwebmaster@spafer.org
Visitor number 17215
|
