Notes from the "Dialogue with Church" Conference Call
Date: September 27th 2007
Time: 7 p.m. PDT

Present on Call:
Norm Bengel
Eileen Brown
Carol Fleitz
Mary Ellen Holohan
Jeanenne Weis
Mary Garvin

We are reading widely and finding unexpected connections to our topic of “Church” from Harry Potter to Andrew Greeley.
A more lengthy conversation centered on John Allen’s current speaking and writing on “Church.” Eileen reported on hearing him speak on 10 Megatrends which we hope to investigate further. Others noted his writing in NCR particularly the recent coverage of “Catholic Evangelicals.”

Education for special populations continues to interest us particularly children, youth and the more senior members of society. We heard of a book The Price of Privilege by Madeline Lavine who writes about parents and students, children and television as well as violence. And we raise the question ― how are they being educated about church?

This led to further conversation on how the media is influencing attitudes about church and religion. Several noted general distrust and cynicism toward the media while others noted the possibilities media offers for education. We agreed to be more attentive to our experience of media and its presentation of church and religion and to bring examples to our next conversation.

We continue to find our conversations stimulating and opportunities to learn from one another. We discovered that by reflecting on our experience that a goal is emerging: We want to educate ourselves about church, identify issues that relate to our own experience. hrough our conversations we want to raise issues that are important to us and identify actions which may emerge.

Next conference call is scheduled for October 25th at 7 p.m.
Suggested topics: Continue to raise awareness and examples of adult education and signs of hope. Explore further the 10 Megatrends from John Allen and the 10 steps toward a more Adult Church from Paul Lakeland. Be alert to the influence of media as well as keep reading and thinking and discussing “Church.”

Submitted by Mary Garvin, snjm
Religious Studies Department
Gonzaga University
Spokane Washington
509-323-6798
garvinm@calvin.gonzaga.edu