Open Table Co-op Annual Conference Preparations

Happy June!
Out here in my part of the West Coast summer doesn’t officially start until July 5. Traditionally the sun doesn’t make much of an appearance until after the 4th of July holiday. This year we’re being spoiled, big time. Even though the sun is doing its best to distract me, my focus is on Annual Conference in Charlotte, NC. After I return on July 5 my summer can kick off with camping, backyard barbecues and long bike rides, but right now I am in the thick of planning insight sessions, our OTC dinner gathering and designing the booth space with my fellow board members.

This summer we are especially blessed to have Lauren Seganos join us as an intern. Lauren is a 2011 graduate of Juniata College (BA Communication & Religious Studies), and she’ll be starting a Master of Divinity program in the fall at Andover Newton Theological School in Boston, MA. For the past two years she has worked as an AmeriCorps Member and Interfaith Service Coordinator at Juniata College, organizing interfaith community service, dialog, and educational opportunities for students. She is a member of Stone Church of the Brethren in Huntingdon, PA. Lauren will be attending conference with us, helping to create a member and donor database and supporting our communication and outreach efforts.

I am excited to host an insight session discussion around alternative ways of being church. Carol Wise, Matt McKimmy and Audrey deCoursey will join me Tuesday at 9:00 pm to explore some non-traditional and alternative ways we gather as people of God. Ken Kline Smeltzer, Josih Hostettler and Sara Davis will gather Tuesday evening at 9:00 for a conversation about Christian economics where we will discuss Jesus’ views on wealth and justice and current trends in medical expenses, tax burdens, incomes, and more.

Following in VOS’s footsteps we will be hosting an Open Table Reception Saturday evening at 5:00 pm. Join us for a light supper open to all. This meal does not require a ticket and is made possible by generous OTC donors. Please join us and bring a friend or even a stranger! All are welcome at the table. If you would like to make a donation to help ensure the table is open to all you can do so online. We’re also looking for someone to help lead some music by playing guitar. If you plan to bring your guitar along to Annual Conference let us know!

OTC will once again be sending text message updates throughout conference. You can text AC2013 to (708) 315-2131 to receive reminders of OTC and other progressive events, conference floor updates and other information as it happens. We promise we won’t give out your phone number and we will only send a few updates each day of conference.

All of this and more information will be in the Progressive Guide to Annual Conference which will be available soon. We will send out the link when it is published. We are all looking forward to seeing you in Charlotte! Take time to stop by the booth and say hi or volunteer to represent OTC at the booth for a couple of hours. If you can’t make it to AC  this year we will also have a presence at NOAC and Song and Story Fest. We are eager to meet you and hear your stories. We are excited to support you and your faith communities as we continue following the teachings of Jesus Christ by steadily, lovingly, and radically working for peace, justice, and equality. If you are not able to connect to the progressive movement in person this year, you can always shoot us an email (I check it regularly!), leave us message on Facebook or send me a letter by snail mail!

Peace,
Elizabeth &
Open Table Cooperative Board,