A Warm Texas Welcome

DignityUSA’s 18th Biennial Convention was held in Austin-tacious style on July 5-8, 2007. DignityUSA’s 38 years were celebrated with renewed growth at the Hyatt Regency along the banks of the Colorado River in the Texas Hill Country of Austin. Our theme, “A Morning Star Awakens Us as Prophets,” drew from scripture and the lived experience of our lives, encouraging us to grow and be a light for the world. The list of speakers ranged from the controversial and political to those aimed at deepening our spiritual connections on earth and afterwards.

Our Keynote Speaker:
Bishop John Shelby Spong

“I would rather die in confrontation than die running away from it,” says Bishop John Shelby Spong, our keynote speaker for DignityUSA’s 2007 18th National Biennial Convention. Bishop Spong makes it part of his vocation to show that religion is not incompatible with intellectual inquiry and persists in teaching that there is, indeed, good news in the Good News of Christ.

“On Spending Three Days with DignityUSA," by Bishop John Shelby Spong

Other Speakers and Workshops Included:

• David Trissel allows you to stretch your experiences with meditation and a discussion of the unusual experiences of his deeply meditative life.
• George Lucien Gregoire, author of Murder in the Vatican and friend of Albino Luciani, discusses the life and possibilities of the short reign of Pope John Paul I.
• Daniel Helminiak, Sister Jeannine Gramick, and John McNeill, each of whom has made his or her lives a gift.
• Sister Stella DeVenuta Mandalas in “Epiphany in July.” Mark Jordan will touch on saints and rites, including same gender marriages.
• Chris Connors will share her music and story of rebirth in her spiritual journey as a Catholic lesbian. 
• Lynn Bauman will discuss the Gnostic Gospel of Thomas and Wisdom Christianity.
• David Trissel will share the otherworldly communication with the Divine made possible through serious meditation. 
• Hymn of the Cosmos A discussion on the increasing handshakes between science and spirit.
• Kathy Ann Gianino’s Dance Workshop.
• Linda Pieczynski’s passion for reform movements in the Catholic Church.
• Special Workshop just for the Dignity children.
• Chapter Development Workshop - Build or keep your Dignity Chapter vibrant.

Download complete Convention Program (4 MB)

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