UPDATED 3/2/18, POSTPONED: Do to unforeseen traveling and weather issues, this event will not take place on March 3-4, 2018. New date TBD. Those who have pre-registered will be notified. 

ORIGINAL STORY 2/25/18:
Noted author, speaker, and scholar Diana Butler Bass, who has an incredible understanding of American religion and culture today, will be in West Hartford March 3-4, 2018.

By Joy Taylor

The John P. Webster Library Lecture Series will welcome author Diana Butler Bass to First Church West Hartford at 12 South Main St., West Hartford Center for two programs on March 3 and 4. The free programs are open to the community, and the link to register to Saturday night’s program is here, or you may call the Library at 860-232-3893

Dr. Bass holds a Ph.D. in religious studies from Duke University and is the award-winning author of 10 books, including “Grounded: Finding God in the World —A Spiritual Revolution.” She is taking orders for her newest book to be released on April 3: “Grateful: The Transformative Power of Giving Thanks.”

Dr. Bass’s website states that in “Grounded,” she “cites news, trends, data, and pop culture, weaves in spiritual texts and ancient traditions, and pulls it all together through stories of her own and others’ spiritual journeys. Grounded observes and reports a radical change in the way many people understand God and how they practice faith. In doing so, Bass invites readers to join this emerging spiritual revolution, find a revitalized expression of faith, and change the world.”

Books by author Diana Butler Bass will be featured in her talk on Saturday, March 3, 2018.

The first opportunity to hear Bass is on Saturday evening, March 3 at 7 p.m. in the First Church auditorium. She will return on Sunday morning as the guest preacher during morning worship at 10 a.m.

Bass will touch on the headlines and topics on the minds of many church leaders and church goers, namely that (traditional) religion is on the decline in America as many people change the ways they seek God in their lives.

Another expert from Dr. Bass’s website: “This shift, from a vertical understanding of God to a God found on the horizons of nature and human community, is at the heart of a spiritual revolution that surrounds us – and that is challenging not only religious institutions but political and social ones as well.”

On the heals of a very successful and eye-opening workshop on race and white privilege by author/speaker Debby Irving, the JPW Library Director Jennifer deSimas was ready to branch out to at topic that is on the minds of religious leaders, communities and church-goers.

Dr. Geordie Campbell, senior pastor of First Church, has heard Bass speak and calls her “an incredible mind in understanding churches today.”

First Church, an open and affirming congregation in the center of town has grown, changed, and adapted to the changing times for more than 300 years and continues to offer a creative array of programs along with a variety of worship services and outreach.

Please pre-register to attend this free event here.

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