The Common Ground Project
DIFFERENCE. BUILDING. CONNECTION.
The Common Ground Project seeks to gather pastors and young adults
of color around unique and common gifts and challenges for ministry.
Taste of Seminary 2011
The dates for Taste 2011 are out: 9-15 July 2011 at McCormick Seminary in Chicago. We are still gathering together leadership and faculty, so stay tuned. For general information, learn more here.
Next Generation Consultation Update
Plans for the Next Generation Consultation, taking place 30 Sept-2 Oct in Chicago, have undergone some important changes. One of the greatest of these has been the added dimension of mentorship. Learn more here.
Taste of Seminary Featured on WBEZ
Taste of Seminary was featured on WBEZ, Chicago's local National Public Radio affiliate. Listen to interviews with Dr. Frank Yamada, Emily McGinley, Rashad Moore and Monica Cerna here.
Photos for Taste of Seminary 2010!
It was a great week of processing, discernment, fellowship and worship, as we got maybe a little closer to understanding who God has created us to be. From sister Luke to brother immigrant, our vision, connections and sense of what we could be called to were expanded to think broadly and deeply about God's work in this world.
New Dates for Pastors Network Gathering Pt II
Those of you who joined us for our first gathering in February know that we had to postpone our second gathering. We have determined the new dates for this: Mon-Wed, 25-27 October 2010. We hope you can make it! We'll have new registration forms available soon. Questions? Contact Emily McGinley at 773 947 6319.
Register now for the August Spoken Word conference!
See the schedule and download an application here.
Young Adult Music Conference Canceled
The July Young Adult Music conference of Throwing Down, Expressing Faith has been canceled due to low registration. Our August Spoken Word Conference is still on though, so make sure you register!
P.C.(U.S.A.) Multicultural Conference
David Esterline, director of the Institute for Cross Cultural Theological Education and Emily McGinley had the honor of presenting to a group of highly engaged folks at the P.C.(U.S.A.) Multicultural Conference in Chicago. Some folks expressed a desire to access the informational slides that Dr. Esterline presented regarding the state of diversity across ATS schools. You may access and download his informational slides (.pdf) by downloading the file at the bottom of this page.
New Dates Announced!
The Next Generation Ministry Consultations will take place 30 September - 2 October. We will begin with dinner on Thursday (the 30th) and end with lunch on Saturday (the 2nd). Check back for more information over the next month!
Application has closed for Taste of Seminary
Application to the Taste of Seminary program has now closed. Check back for more information about Taste 2011.
August Spoken Word Conference Speakers Announced
How do you express with words what words cannot express? Engage in the power and art of spoken word and poetry to harness and erupt with all that God has planted within you. Join us in exploring the intersection of faith and identity through spoken word August 13-15. Learn about our gifted spoken word poetry artists and register here.
July Music Conference Speakers Announced
What does music have to do with theology? Everything...and more! If you are a young adult of color interested in exploring the intersection of faith and identity through music, join us July 9-11. Learn about our gifted musicians and register here.
Taste of Seminary Faculty Announced
We are thrilled to unveil our faculty line up for The Common Ground Project's Taste of Seminary event in June. Learn more about the prominent list of scholars who will be spending a week, instructing a select group of Taste participants here.
New Director of The Common Ground Project
The Rev. Laura Mariko Cheifetz has taken a new position as Director of the Fund for Theological Education's Making Connections Initiative in Atlanta, GA. Take note, all you aspiring PhD's of color! We send her with thanksgiving for her service here at The Common Ground Project and blessing as she continues in a life of ministry.
We are so happy to welcome aboard our new director, Emily McGinley. Emily is a recent M.Div. graduate of McCormick Seminary and began her position in late February. Emily has served in a variety of leadership levels with The Project and brings gifts of ministry, administration and graphic design -- she has designed all of the major publicity materials for The Project! She has been an important creative force behind The Project and will lead with grace and energy! You may contact Emily at 773.947.6319 or emcginley@go.mccormick.edu
Don't miss out on these exciting summer events:
TASTE OF SEMINARY
13-18 June
Engage in theological conversation and reflection with other young adults of color. Learn more here.
YOUNG ADULT CONFERENCES
"Throwing Down, Expressing Faith"
9-11 July: Music + Rhythm
13-15 August: Spoken Word
Get together with other young adults of color to engage in creative experimentation centered on expressing faith through music and spoken word. Learn more here.
PASTORS OF COLOR NETWORKING GATHERING (PART II)
2-4 August
Build community among fellow African American, Asian American and Latin@ pastors and church leaders for meaningful conversation, mutual support, Sabbath and fellowship. Learn more here.
NEXT GENERATION CONSULTATION
Autumn 2010
Gather among pastors and church leaders from African American, Latin@ and Asian American congregations, with scholars from related fields, to identify and discuss the issues, challenges, commonalities and differences related to the development of the next generations of church leadership for these specific communities and for the greater Church. Learn more here.
