Digging In: Heels, Histories

Home , Quiet party

The Bartimaeus Kinsler Institute

Program Book

Feb 19-23, 2018

Camp Forest Home

Ventura River Watershed, CA

Digging In: Heels, Histories,

Hearts

www.bcm-net.org 1 www.ChedMyers.org

Welcome to the 2018 Bartimaeus Kinsler Institute, committed to building capacity in, for and with the radical discipleship movement. As we face the second year of the Trump regime, we are challenged to “dig in our heels” by deepening and broadening our resistance and resilience. To do this wisely we must “delve into our histories,” exploring the roots of our individual and collective stories in order to animate repentance and restorative justice. And to sustain this work we need to “exca-vate our hearts,” recovering from our ad- dictions and renewing our spirits for long term healing and movement building. In 2014 we added the names of This, our 21st Institute, curates an ecumenical, intergenerational, Gloria and Ross Kinsler (above) multicultural and intersectional space between Seminary and Sanc- to our Institute. These elders tuary, Streets and Soil, Soma and Psyche. Thanks for joining us have been mentors and friends here in our weary Ventura River watershed! for more than thirty years, work- —Elaine, Ched, Chris and the BCM team ing as Presbyterian missionaries in Central America to promote popular theological education. Gloria served on our BCM board for a decade, and she and Ross actively supported our efforts with Word & World and the Sab- bath Economics Collaborative. We are deeply gratified to honor their faithful lives and legacy. SCHEDULE

Mon Feb 19

3-4:45 pm Arrival, registration, signup for classes & workshops Past Institutes slideshow, art/photography exhibits, Hansen 5:15 Plenary: Camp Orientation & Welcome (Allen Hall) 5:30 Dinner (Note: All meals and plenaries are in Allen Hall) 6:30 Opening Plenary 8:30 Sign ups for 1 on 1s, registration tables

Sarah re-imagined our BCM oak tree with Bartimaeus as an “arbor- In the Hansen Gallery: Art and Photography Exhibits glyph” on its trunk, and the strug- gle for Life in its branches. “We  Sarah Holst: Conference Artist’s exhibit (left: Sarah’s rendition of BCM’s ‘see’ in many ways: with our eyes, Oak Tree logo) hands, minds, our moral imagina-  “Remembering Asistencia Santa Gertrudis”: Robert Valiente Neighbors’ tions. Bartimaeus is in a posture of portraits and prints, and photos of our recent commemoration. humility and wonder, looking on the vision symbolized by the oak  Kelsey McKenzie photo essay: Actions at a Los Angeles industrial slaugh- tree: the harsh realities of this terhouse. world at left, the church in the mid-  “Wood Holding Stories”: Ted Lyddon-Hatten’s “Oak View Dove,” Tim dle, at right the vision of God, born Nafziger photos of Grandma Oak, and Sunghwan Kim’s wooden crosses. in a community actively engaging  The 1968 Poor Peoples Campaign: A slideshow. in building justice. “

www.bcm-net.org 2 www.ChedMyers.org

Tuesday Feb 20 [Chaplains: Rev. Elizabeth Gibbs Zehnder & Rev. Sue Park Hur. Elder: Sharon Tool]

7:30 am Spiritual practices, pastoral care (optional; see community bulletin board) 8:15 Breakfast 9:00 Worship (Rev. Art Cribbs is a U.C.C. minister in Los Angeles & former director of Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity.) 9:30 Plenary: “Digging in Our Heels.” Ched Myers, Rose Berger, Art Cribbs: Mark 13-14 and Apocalyptic Politics. Ched is co-director of BCM; Rose is Senior Associate Editor of Sojourners Magazine. 10:45 Break 11:00 Small groups 12 pm Lunch 1:30 Afternoon Classes: 1. “Permaculture, Herbal Medicine, & Watershed Discipleship: Practices of Re- inhabitation and Resilience in the Age of Climate Chaos.” Chris Grataski & Melis- sa Shank; Casa Anna Schulz (part 1). An introductory look at potent yet accessible practices for communities, families, and individuals to ground their discipleship in the social and ecological context of their watershed. Will include non-strenuous indoor and outdoor activity; wear outdoor clothing. Chris is a licensed permaculture practitioner and teacher at the Roots School; Melissa is an herbalist and doula. They live with their son Willem at Stone River Homestead in Vermont. 2. "From Magnificat to Mardi Gras: Dialogue & Creative Exploration of the Up- side-Down World." Jay Beck & Tevyn East; Live Oak S. We will discuss the history of the carnival tradition and our Carnival de Resistance project, then journey beyond the cerebral into the embodied and the imaginative – looking for spiritual renewal at the in- tersections of folk traditions and prophetic art. Jay is a percussionist, vocalist, drum- maker, and educator, formerly of the band Psalters; Tevyn is a dancer, choreographer, cultural producer, organizer, and teacher known for her one-woman show “Leaps & Bounds.” They are cofounders of www.holyfoolarts.org and the Carnival de Resistance. 3. “Midwifing Healing: Trauma & Resilience.” Elaine Enns & Sue Park Hur; Allen Hall. We will begin with biblical women’s stories, looking at how trauma impacts our lives and communities, and then focus on simple but effective somatic practices of healing and resilience. Sue is founder and codirector of www.reconciliasian.org; Elaine is codirector of www.bcm-net.org. Both are restorative justice teachers and practitioners. 4. "Radicalizing Our Spirituality: Getting to the Root of Our Pain & Addiction." Lindsay & Tom Airey; Live Oak N. In the quest for a more holistic spirituality, we’ll combine intersectional social analysis with tangible tools and support to assist in engaging the lifelong process of healing and transforming. Lindsay is a CA licensed marriage and family therapist; Tommy is co-editor of RadicalDiscipleship.net. They live in Ypsilan- ti, MI; for the past five years they have facilitated “MarriageStrong” groups and couples retreats and actively engaged in Al-Anon. 5. “Faith, Labor, Water & Environmental Justice.” Grecia Lopez Reyes & Lauren Ahkiam, Art Cribbs respondent, Hansen. We will learn about communities advocating to transform the commercial waste industry, which operates with few basic standards, resulting in recyclable materials being sent to landfills and exposing workers to danger- ous conditions. Then we will survey environmental organizations working to reduce stormwater pollution and improve water resilience while creating good jobs. Lauren is Director of Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy’s Our Water LA campaign; Grecia is Senior Community Organizer for LAANE.org’s Don’t Waste Long Beach campaign. www.bcmwww.bcm-net.org-net.org 3 www.ChedMyers.org

4:15 Break 4:30 Spiritual practices, caucuses, self-care, 1 on 1s Queer Caucus, Hansen. 5:30 Dinner 7:00 Evening Plenary. Rev. Lynice Pinkard: "They Left the Camp Singing.” Lynice is a U.C.C. minister in the Bay Area and an activist theologian. 9:00 Optional: Grief Ritual (Solveig Nilsen-Goodin & Dave Pritchett), Hansen

Wednesday Feb 22 [Chaplains: Rev. Lynice Pinkard & Rose Berger. Elder: John Stoner]

7:30 am Spiritual practices, pastoral care (optional; see community bulletin board) 8:15 Breakfast, sign ups for field trips 9 Morning Worship (Rose Berger is Senior Associate Editor at Sojourners magazine, a journalist, activist and poet.) 9:30 Plenary: “Digging into Our Histories.” Elaine Enns & Ched Myers: Mark 1:9-15, Jesus’ Immersion into the Storied Landscape. Ched & Elaine are co-directors of BCM. Honoring elders: Ross & Gloria Kinsler, Darrel Meyers, Toni Stuart. 10:45 Break 11 Small groups 12 pm Lunch 1:30 Afternoon Workshops: 1. “North Korea Conflict: The Work of ReconciliAsian.” Hyun & Sue Park Hur, Casa Anna Schulz. We’ll give context to the Korean Peninsula conflict through the documentary "Memory of Forgotten War," followed by discussions on current peacemaking efforts in Northeast Asia and the US. Sue and Hyun are Mennonite pastors and founders-codirectors of www.reconciliasian.org. 2. “Gallery Tour and Discussion with Artists.” Sarah Holst (left), Sunghwan Kim, Ched Myers, Chris Wight (left), Hansen. A conversation about each of the five exhibits. Sarah is BKI-18 Conference Artist; Sunghwan is a woodworker from Korea; Chris is an artist and Institute registrar extraordinaire. 3. “Scaling Up: Rewards (& Risks) of Email & Social Media for Organizing.” Tim Nafziger & Heidi Thompson, Live Oak N. Technology is not a substitute for relation- ship building, but it can help scale organizing work dramatically when used thoughtfully. A conversation on how we can leverage new digital tools for social justice organizing. Tim is interim Director of the Ojai Valley Green Coalition and a web designer. Heidi is an organizer and digital marketer who works with faith-based nonprofits. 4. Honduras and Immigrant Rights: A Call to Christian Action.” Erin Hakim, Josh Lopez-Reyes, Devin Scheiern, Live Oak S. We’ll overview immigrant rights updates in the U.S. and hear about solidarity work in Honduras supporting local environmental defenders, journalists, LGBT and labor communities and faith leaders. We will conclude with a time to network regarding a delegation trip to Honduras in late 2018. Erin is a Ventura ally following the lead of Latinx evangelicals, inspired by the SoCal Matthew 25 Movement; Devin lives in Palmdale, CA, volunteers for the Eco Justice Collective and is an active member at Palmdale United Methodist Church; and Josh is a community builder and seminary student in the Los Angeles and San Gabriel River watersheds. www.bcmwww.bcm-net.org-net.org 4 www.ChedMyers.org

5. “The Catholic Nonviolence Initiative.” Rose Berger, TBD. What if 1.2 billion Catholics embraced gospel nonviolence? A look behind the scenes at one of the most historic changes in church history: moving beyond the 1,500-year-old just war tradition. What will happen next, and why is this good news for the Body of Christ around the world? Rose is Senior Associate Editor at Sojourners magazine involved in the CNI. 6. [Late night workshop option, 9:30-10:30 pm.] “Peacemaking in Afghanistan.” Jake Donaldson, Erb/Nafziger home (5 blocks from camp). Live video-conferenced conversation with the Afghan Peace Volunteers (APV) as a part of a monthly www.globaldaysoflistening.org. The APVs are young Afghans living in Kabul whose goal is "to build a critical mass of nonviolent relationships for a green, equal and nonviolent world without war." Jake is a Ventura County physician who visited Kabul in 2013. 2:45 Break 3:00 Sabbath Time & Optional activities:  Do nothing & relax!  Self-organized spiritual practices & care, 1 on 1s, hike, beach, etc.  Grief Ritual (Solveig Nilsen-Goodin & Dave Pritchett), Prayer Chapel on hill  Field trips: 1. Hodge Podge Garage tour, Eric Hodge (left). Visit an off-grid solar-powered auto shop founded by an “imagineer” of alternative technology & barter economics. Meet at Hansen at 3 pm; walk one mile (20 min.) each way. No limit. 2. Casa Anna Schulz, Elaine Enns & Ched Myers. Join us for a tour of our green home & garden, followed by conversation about why “household economics” mat- ters. Meet at Hansen at 3 pm, carpool 1.3 mi. Limit 15. 3. Thomas Fire Tour, Chris Wight & Tim Nafziger. A driving trip around the Ojai Valley viewing the footprint of the fire and hearing stories. Meet at Hansen at 3 pm, 2 cars. Limit 8. 4. “At the River I Stand” film, Hansen Room, 3:15 pm. On this 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, learn about why he was in Memphis supporting a sanitation workers strike from this excellent 1 hour documentary. No limit. 5. Ventura Spirits, Erynn Smith. Visit a local distillery using bioregional botanicals and surplus produce, for a tour & tasting. Meet outside Hansen at 3:30 for carpool (7.7 mi/15 min). Limit 10. 5:30 Dinner 7:00 Special Presentation: “Awaiting Judgment.” A stage reading and talk back with writer/director Art Cribbs and actors Max Lawrence, Kevin Ashworth & Rhys Green. 9:30 Optional workshop: “Peacemaking in Afghanistan” [see description above].

Thursday Feb 23 [Chaplains: Carter Echols & Steve Taylor. Elder: Rev. Toni Stuart] 7:30 am Spiritual practices, pastoral care (optional; see community bulletin board) 8:15 Breakfast 9:00 Morning Worship (Tevyn East & Jay Beck codirect the Carnival de Resistance) 9:30 Plenary: “Excavating Our Hearts.” Ched Myers, Lynice Pinkard and Solveig Nil- sen Goodin: Mark 9:42-50, personal and political disciplines of recovery and solidarity. Ched codirects BCM; Lynice is a U.C.C minister; Solveig is a spiritual director and pastor of Wilderness Way Community in Portland, OR. 10:45 Break www.bcmwww.bcm-net.org-net.org 5 www.ChedMyers.org

11:00 Small groups 12 pm Lunch 1:30 Afternoon Classes: 1. “Permaculture, Herbal Medicine, & Watershed Discipleship,” Grataski & Shank; Casa Anna Schulz (part 2; see TU description). 2. “Sick of Empire: Breaking the Chains of Empire Affective Disorder,” Lynice Pinkard, Hansen. Black people have been disproportionately affected by the history of American empire (past to present) and, at our best, as a people we have particular ways (cultural, scriptural and theological) of living into greater liberation and freedom. Lynice is a U.C.C. minister living in Oakland, CA, a writer, speaker, and public intel- lectual operating at the intersection of Christianity, economics, and social change. 3. “Midwifing Healing: Trauma & Resilience.” Enns & Park Hur; Allen (repeat; see TU description). 4. “Unmasking Whiteness: Tools for White People Working for Racial Justice.” Tim Nafziger, Charletta Erb & Lucky Lynch, Live Oak N. Members of the local Showing Up for Racial Justice chapter will explore the responsibility white people have to fight racism. Participants will work towards a shared framework for confront- ing both interpersonal and systemic aspects of white supremacy. Tim (left) and Lucky are part of the leadership of SURJ Ventura County. He and Charletta, a licensed Marriage and Family therapist specializing in couples conflict, are Mennon- ites living in the Ventura River watershed on the traditional lands of the Chumash. 5. “Coloring Outside the Lines: Practices, Questions, Challenges from Radical Discipleship Church Communities,” Josh Grace, Sarah Nolan, Josh Lopez- Reyes, Solveig Nilsen Goodin, Hyun Hur; Live Oak S. Participatory learning from seasoned church leaders doing innovative worship experiences across North America. Leave encouraged and inspired, with a broader imagination of how to do church. Sarah (left) is a co-founder of The Abundant Table Farm Project and former facilitator/chaplain of Farm Church; Solveig is founding pastor of the Wilderness Way Community in Portland, OR; Josh G (left), of Polish/Irish descent, has been pastoring at Circle of Hope in the Delaware River watershed since 2004; Josh L-R is a community builder and seminary student in the L.A. and San Gabriel River watersheds. 4:15 Break 4:30 Spiritual practices, caucuses, self-care, 1 on 1s. Women of Color Caucus (Sue Park Hur). 5:30 Dinner 7:00 Caucuses. Mennonite (Elaine Enns). Korean Conflict (Hyun Hur) Allen. 8:15 Dance Party! (The Avenues DJs) Allen [Quiet Party, Hansen]

Friday Feb 24

8:00 am Breakfast/move out of tents & cabins 8:45 Closing Plenary: Covenanting, small groups 10:15 Break 10:45 Closing Worship 12 pm Adjourn (lunch on your own) 12-1 Clean up. We appreciate help breaking down the Institute if you have some spare time & energy. 1-4 Any one still around is invited to gather at Beach House Tacos on the Ventura Pier. www.bcmwww.bcm-net.org-net.org 6 www.ChedMyers.org

Numbers to call if necessary: Most things: Chris Wight: 562-370-0306 Transport: Tom Airey: 949-842-9503

Online Resources from BCM:  Podcasts & Recorded Webinars. Since 2012 we’ve presented regular programs on themes including Bi- ble study, social analysis and interviews with Radical Discipleship theologians and movement-builders. www.bcm-net.org/resources/podcasts; and www.chedmyers.org/webinars.  Bartimaeus Institute Online. BIO is a series of online classes on key themes of Radical Discipleship faith and practice. Units can be undertaken individually or in a cohort; they include a mix of recorded webinars, audio and video, and published articles (with an option of live Q&A,) arranged around thematic topics. Next BIO cohort (with Elaine & Ched) begins Jan 2019. Info at: www.chedmyers.org/BIO.

We are on www.facebook.com at: Daily blogs at: http://radicaldiscipleship.net. Also: /bartimaeuscooperativeministries & http://watersheddiscipleship.org http://clbsj.org /groups/watersheddiscipleship/ www.wordandworld.org www.sabbatheconomics.org

We recommend our “Sister” Gathering this summer, July 16-20, 2018: The Proctor Institute, Children’s Defense Fund, Clinton, TN, founded by legendary Civil Rights hero Marion Wright Edelman (right). Info at: www.childrensdefense.org/programs/faithbased/ faith-based-action-programs-pages/Samuel-DeWitt-Proctor-Institute.html?.

artimaeus Cooperative Ministries was founded in 1998 as a nonprofit platform for non-traditional B gospel ministry. From local context to international partnerships, we work to nurture radical discipleship, church renewal, restorative justice and Sabbath Economics. The goals of our educational, organizing and communications programs are to:  Build capacity for faith-rooted activism, advocacy and service for peace, justice and healing ;  Deepen biblical literacy and theological engagement among engaged Christian communities across the ecumenical spectrum; and  Develop consciousness and competence in practices of restorative justice, Sabbath Economics, nonviolence, watershed discipleship, and racial equity. We are a “Community Supported Ministry.” You can become a CSM member at www.bcm-net.org/donate.

Thank you to the many hands that have woven together this gathering (above all, our mostly unflappable, excel-meister registrar Chris Wight, right): SoCal Leadership Group: Art Cribbs, Sue Park & Hyun Hur, Josh & Grecia Lopez Reyes. Amardon Staff Team: Chris Wight, Josh Grace, Tom & Lindsay Airey, Elaine & Ched. Elders: Sharon Tool; John Stoner; Toni Stuart, Darrel Meyers, Ross & Gloria Kinsler. Chaplains: Rev. Elizabeth Gibbs Zehnder, Rev. Sue Park Hur, Rev. Lynice Pinkard, Rose Berger, Steve Taylor, Carter Echols. Children’s Chaplain: Tina Mata (below rt). Spiritual Companions: Solveig Nilsen Goodin; Tom & Lindsay Airey; Marcia Dunigan; Charletta Erb. Class & Workshop Leaders: All listed in this program book; thanks for your contributions! Small Group Facilitators: Grace Aheron, Tom Airey, Marcia Dunigan, Charletta Erb, Eliza- beth Gibbs Zehnder, Joshua Grace, Nathan Holst, Sarah Holst, Josh Lopez Reyes, Solveig Nil- sen Goodin, Sarah Nolan, Dave Pritchett, Steve Taylor, Susan Taylor, Tim Nafziger. www.bcm-net.org 7 www.ChedMyers.org

Above: Camp Forest Home Map Circled: Allen/Hansen Halls = Plenary & Displays Live Oak North & South = workshop sites General Schedule at a Glance:

Day 8:15 morning 12:00 Early Late 5:30 pm 7-9 pm Brkf Lunch afternoon afternoon Dinner

MON Arrivals, regis- Registration, Welcome, 20 tration Orientation Plenary

TUE Worship, Classes Spiritual Plenary 21 plenary, practices

WED Worship, Workshops Sabbath, Plenary 22 plenary, Field trips

THU Worship, Classes Spiritual Caucuses, 23 plenary, practices Party

FRI Cove- Depar- Clean up 24 nanting, tures worship www.bcm-net.org 8 www.ChedMyers.org