Calling All Justice-Seekers
I imagine that there are three kinds of people reading this, and I have something here for each of you:
For those in Phoenix who are already registered for The Justice Conference simulcast being held next Friday and Saturday (Feb. 22 – 23) at New City Church, this is to provide you with some additional details and to answer any questions you may have about the schedule, logistics, and other odds and ends.
For those in Phoenix who are still on the fence about attending, I hope these details will help sweeten the deal (hints: exclusive film screening, limited edition t-shirts, on-site breakout, food truck, etc).
For those who live nowhere near Phoenix, feel free to stop reading and watch this instead.
Okay, for those who are still with me and aren’t off watching pole vault bloopers on repeat, here are those promised details…
Schedule
The simulcast will include each of the nine main sessions of the conference, with two sessions on Friday evening and the remaining seven on Saturday. Since the conference is being held in Philadelphia, and the simulcast is occurring in real time, our schedule here accounts for time zone differences, and also includes on-site exclusives.
Friday, Feb. 22:
Session 1: Ken Wytsma (4:15 – 5:30 pm)
Session 2: Brenda Salter McNeil & Panel (5:50 – 7:20 pm)
Exclusive Film Screening (7:30 – 9:15 pm)
Saturday, Feb. 23
Session 3: Eugene Cho (6:35 – 7:45 am)
Session 4: Claire Diaz-Ortiz & Gary Haugen (8:05 – 9:40 am)
Morning Break (9:40 – 10:00 am)
Exclusive Breakout: Immigration (10:00 – 11:00 am)
Session 5: Nicholas Wolterstorff (11:25 am – 12:30 pm)
Session 6: Sheryl WuDunn (12:50 – 1:45 pm)
Session 7: Shane Claiborne (2:05 – 3:10 pm)
Dinner Break (3:10 – 4:40 pm)
Session 8: Chai Ling (4:40 – 5:40 pm)
Session 9: Panel Discussion (6:00 – 7:15 pm)
Exclusive Film Screening
As an official simulcast venue, immediately following Friday evening’s two main sessions we are hosting an exclusive screening of Not Today, an award-winning feature film about trafficking in India that will debut in select theatres in April.
On-site Breakout Session
In addition to the jaw-dropping list of main session speakers via simulcast, we’ll also have the opportunity to participate in an on-site breakout session on Saturday morning from 10 to 11 am. Kit Danley, president of Neighborhood Ministries in Phoenix, will help us think theologically and practically about what it means to seek justice with and for immigrants, a timely topic with the bipartisan promise of comprehensive immigration reform on the horizon. Kit will also interview Maryada Vallet, a Tucson-based border humanitarian, about her work and involvement with immigration-related advocacy campaigns.
OpportuniTees
Speaking of which, we’ve just confirmed that OpportuniTees, a member organization of Neighborhood Ministries, will have limited edition “justice” t-shirts for sale in both men’s and women’s styles. For those who aren’t familiar with OpportuniTees, the company empowers under-resourced individuals to develop and advance as members of their family, faith, and community, while producing high-quality clothing products. The “justice” shirts will be on sale for $15, so you’ll want to have cash on hand for those.
Food
We are really excited that the Kitchen on the Street Food Truck will be on hand all day on Saturday, Feb 23, offering a Global Street Food menu especially during our extended meal breaks in the morning and afternoon. Having had the opportunity to sample some of this food, I can assure you we’re in for a treat. Proceeds of food purchases will go to support KOS’ mission of fighting food insecurity among local Arizona children, so please do bring some cash and come ready to enjoy amazing food while supporting this great organization.
Exhibits
We’re still working out the final details, but we’re planning to have a few exhibits in the lobby so you can learn more about local justice-focused organizations and how to be involved. If your organization wants to get in on this, let’s talk ASAP.
Registration
Thanks to everyone who has helped us spread the word, and please keep doing so! Online registration is still available until February 21, the day before the event, but we will also have registration stations on-site for the real slackers among you (assuming there’s still room). For groups of 8 or more, we can offer you an amazing deal, so ask me how you can get in on that.