SCHEDULE FOR OPEN DOOR COMMUNITY CHURCH'S ANNUAL FALL CONFERENCE - 2010
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8 Referred to by many as a “singer’s singer” and called "The most awesome voice in gospel music." by Billboard Magazine, Cynthia Clawson has received a GRAMMY and five Dove Awards for her work as a song writer, vocal artist and musician. Her career has spanned over four decades with 22 recordings to her credit.
She was three years old when her father first asked her to sing in the small church he pastored, and Cynthia has not stopped since - from local neighborhood churches to Robert Schuller's Hour of Power to London's Wembley Stadium. Though never considered a southern gospel singer by critics and fans, she has been honored to be a frequent guest on Bill and Gloria Gaither's Homecoming series. Cynthia has reached millions of people throughout the world with her music.
A graduate of Howard Payne University with a major in vocal performance and a minor in piano, Cynthia was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from her alma mater in 2007. She holds the same honorary degree from Houston Baptist University presented in 1995.
Her rendition of "Softly and Tenderly" set the evocative tone for the soundtrack of the Academy Award winning movie The Trip to Bountiful.
Included in her schedule, Cynthia has the opportunity to perform as a guest artist for Conspirare, a group recognized as the preeminent a cappella choral ensemble in the country. She performs with the GRAMMY-nominated choir, under the direction of Craig Hella Johnson, to full-house audiences each year.
Cynthia's recently released recording, episodes, expresses honesty, passion and vulnerability. Their son, Will, produced the album and The Calla Lily Company, a partnership created by Cynthia and her husband, Ragan Courtney, has published her last three projects.
As well, the Company is re-releasing many of Cynthia's most requested earlier works in a series called Cynthia Clawson Classics. Forever, Finest Hour, Immortal,The Way I Feel and You’re Welcome Here are currently available with five more titles to come.
Cynthia and Ragan are co-pastors of The Sanctuary Austin, Texas where they design worship services using theatrical arts and musical expression to communicate eternal truths.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8
7:00 P.M.
CONCERT BY CYNTHIA CLAWSON.
FOLLOWING THE CONCERT
PRESENTATION OF THE PEGGY CAMPOLO CARRIER PIGEON AWARD.
Peggy Campolo, wife of Dr. Tony Campolo and mother of Bart Campolo, is an evangelical Christian who challenges evangelical churches to re-think their stance against gay and lesbian people. A highly-visible advocate for the full inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gendered people within the church, Peggy is a member of PFLAG and Evangelicals Concerned and serves on the council of the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists. She is currently a member of Central Baptist Church in Wayne, Pennsylvania—one of two "Welcoming and Affirming" congregations in the Commonwealth. In a recent Associated Baptist Press article, she wrote: "I am a committed Baptist who has worked within the church of Jesus Christ for more than 20 years to foster the understanding and acceptance of my gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender sisters and brothers... I can personally testify to the anguish gay people feel when rejected by church and family because of who they are. I have also witnessed the joy of the many gay people I know who have found church homes where they are loved and accepted."
A graduate of Eastern University, Peggy speaks often to church and campus groups around the country. She is a frequent guest speaker at Open Door Community Church in Arkansas, a Welcoming and Affirming church that she encouraged friend Pastor Randy McCain to establish. In 2007, the Open Door Community Church created The Peggy Campolo Carrier Pigeon Award to be given annually at the church's fall conference in recognition of advocacy for GLBT people of faith in Christ . Peggy is also a writer and editor, contributing to books such as Homosexuality and Christian Faith-Questions on Conscience for the Churches and Reasoning Together: A Conversation on Homosexuality released in late October 2008.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9
10:00 A.M.
SPECIAL SPEAKER BISHOP GENE ROBINSON
Lunch will be served following Bishop Robinson's presentation.
V. Gene Robinson was elected Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire on June 7, 2003, having served as Canon to the Ordinary (Assistant to the Bishop) for nearly 18 years. He was consecrated a Bishop on All Saints Sunday, November 2, 2003, and was invested as the Ninth Bishop of New Hampshire on March 7, 2004.
A 1969 graduate of the University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee, he has a B.A. in American Studies/History. In 1973, he completed the M.Div. degree at the General Theological Seminary in New York, was ordained deacon, and then priest, serving as Curate at Christ Church, Ridgewood, New Jersey. Upon moving to New Hampshire in 1975, Gene co-owned and directed an ACA accredited horseback riding summer camp for girls. As Founding Director of Sign of the Dove Retreat Center, in Temple, New Hampshire, he led retreat programs for vestries, diocesan committees, intergenerational groups, and all kinds of parish groups.
From 1978 to 1985, Gene was Youth Ministries Coordinator for the seven dioceses of New England, serving two years on the National Youth Ministries Development Team, where he helped originate the national Episcopal Youth Event. From 1983 until his election as bishop, Gene also served as Executive Secretary of Province I, coordinating all cooperative programs between the seven dioceses of New England.
Clergy wellness has long been a focus of Gene=s ministry, and in the nineties he developed the ABeing Well in Christ@ conference model for The Cornerstone Project, and led clergy conferences in over 20 dioceses in the U.S. and Canada. He initiated AFresh Start,@ a two-year mentoring program for all clergy in new positions in New Hampshire, and co-authored the Fresh Start curriculum, now in use in nearly half of the dioceses of the Episcopal Church. Much of his ministry has focused on helping congregations and clergy, especially in times of conflict, utilizing his skills in congregational dynamics, conflict resolution and mediation.
Co-author of three AIDS education curricula for youth and adults, Gene has done AIDS work in the United States and in Africa (Uganda and South Africa). He has been an advocate for anti-racism training in the diocese and wider Church. He helped build the Diocese of New Hampshire=s close working partnership with the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund, advocated for debt relief for the world=s most impoverished nations, and lobbied for socially-responsible investment within and beyond the Church. He is a past member of the Board of the New Hampshire Endowment for Health, which works for access to health care for the uninsured. Bishop Robinson currently serves as a Trustee of the Church Pension Fund and a board member of the NH Children’s Alliance. He holds two honorary doctorates and has received numerous awards from national civil rights organizations. His story is featured in the 2007 feature-length documentary, “For the Bible Tells Me So.” In 2008 Gene’s book “In the Eye of the Storm: Swept to the Center by God” (Seabury Books, New York) was released.
Bishop Robinson has been active particularly in the area of full civil rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gender people. Working at the state, national and international levels, he has spoken and lobbied for equal protection under the law and full civil marriage rights. He has been honored by many LGBT organizations for this work, including The Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force and the Equality Forum.
Bishop Robinson was invited by Barack Obama to give the invocation at the opening inaugural ceremonies at the Lincoln Memorial on January 18, 2009.
Gene enjoys entertaining and cooking, gardening, music and theatre. He is the father of two grown daughters and the proud grandfather of two granddaughters. He lives with his partner, Mark Andrew, who is employed by the State of New Hampshire's Department Health & Human Services.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9
7:00 P.M.
CONCERT BY REV VINCE ANDERSON
The Reverend Vince Anderson was born on vacation in 1970, at the base of Mount Palomar, CA., at the time the world's largest telescope. He was originally to be named Nathan Robert Anderson, but this quickly changed when Vince Lombardi, the famous Green Bay Packer football coach, suddenly passed.
Early in his life, the Andersons moved to the California that no one ever thinks about; A town by the name of Fresno. Famous for it's raisins and an ill-fated mini-series starring Carol Burnett, As a boy, he was a member of the Stryper fan club (Stryper being an early 80's Christian hair band). When the Rev. graduated from high school, he left his Christian headbanging ways to enroll in the Conservatory of the Pacific, in Stockton, CA. Studying classical piano with a short German man named Wolfgang, it was there that the Rev. received the call of God. After attending services at Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco where the Rev. Cecil Williams had created a neo-hippie church of misfits, drug addicts, prostitutes, artists, and other social outcasts, the Rev. knew he was meant to minister. After a brief stay in Denver, CO, he moved to New York City in 1994 to study at Union Theological Seminary with the intention of becoming a Methodist Minister. The Reverend lasted 3 months in seminary, where upon he felt that God was calling him to minister in bars and taverns. He grabbed his accordian and piano, and promptly started holding weekly "Services" in New York's Lower East Side and in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. After a brief stay with the Universal Life Church, the Reverend soon started his own church; THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY UNRULY SPIRIT OF GOD IN CHRIST. In 2007 the Rev. Vince met Jay Baker, the son of Jim and Tammy Faye Baker. The two became friends, sharing ideas of inclusiveness and being transparent. The Reverend was asked by Jay to be his assistant pastor and was switched his ordination to the Revolution Church.
The Reverend calls his music, "Dirty Gospel". The title is not meant to offend, it is to remind people that humanity is an important part of the Gospel. It also refers to the blues element that the Reverend brings to his music. Dirty Gospel allows for both the sacred and secular, seeing the line between them as a thin one. It is the Reverend Vince's hope that all people can relate to his "Dirty Gospel" regardless of their religious background.
In 2000, the Reverend founded a label using the name Dirty Gospel. He has released 4 albums; 'I need Jesus', ' The 13th Apostle' 'The Blackout Sessions' and the yet to be officially released "100% JESUS". He has conducted weekly late night services with his New York based band "The Love Choir", as well as touring the world spreading his message of music, love and acceptance. The band is currently looking for a label to help expand their vision and message.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10
10:30 A.M.
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP FEATURING MUSIC FROM REV VINCE ANDERSON
BISHOP GENE ROBINSON WILL PRESENT THE MORNING MESSAGE.
Pot-luck meal to follow service.
There will be lively praise and worship music each service and a bountiful spread of food following each event.
A nursery will be available each night as well as Sunday morning.
The conference is free and open to the public. Love offerings will be taken for our speakers and musical guests.
There will be information available for sightseeing in the Little Rock area for our out-of-town guests.
Map and Directions to the Church