Thursday, June 17, 2010

Wilmer Hosts Second Summer Chautauqua

The City of Wilmer will be hosting the second annual Chautauqua event at the Wilmer Community Center Tuesday nights in July from 7:00p.m. until 8:00p.m.

Thanks to John Eggen for this contribution.

THE GOAL OF THE CHAUTAUQUA IS TO INFORM, ENLIGHTEN AND EDUCATE!

During the Month of July, the Wilmer Public Library Advisory Board will sponsor this years Summer Chautauqua Series.

Before Radio, Television and the Internet, this is what your grandparents and great-grandparents did. The Chautauqua was an annual SUMMER EVENT. An Educational and Recreational Event for everyone.

These events were usually weekly programs and lasted four to six weeks. They were held during the mid-summer season…after the crops were planted and before the harvest. In the spirit of the 1880’s through the 1950’s, the City of Wilmer presents, for your enjoyment our second Chautauqua Series.

This year’s Chautauqua will involve four presentations on aspects of religion and world views.

The Chautauqua will be held in the Wilmer Community Center on the four Tuesday nights in July from 7:00p.m. Until 8:00p.m. All presentations are free and open to the public.

TOPICS:

July 6, 2010: Traditional Shamanism. Many see this as the oldest religion and it has been practiced by most of the societies that have ever existed in the world. It still exists today and is often found in association with modern world religions among many societies today. Come and find out the many jobs of the shaman.

Presentation by John F. S. Phinney, Anthropology Faculty, Southern Methodist University.

July 13, 2010: New Age (Modern) Shamanism. It is among the fastest growing religions in North America and Europe. It involves aspects of tradition shamanism, respect and preservation of the environment, and ideas borrowed from many world religions.

Presentation by Mary L. B. Phinney, Anthropologist and Dallas County Trail and Preserve Program Administer, Commissioners Court. She has had the Michael Harner classes in Modern Shamanism.


July 20, 2010: The Role of the Church in Small Communities. This lecture will present information showing the value of the church in communities and the role it plays in the lives of the church members of varied ages.

Presentation by Dr. Julie Adkins, Reverend Adkins has been most recently a minister in Oak Cliff and holds a doctorate in theology and is near completion of her Ph.D. degree in Anthropology at SMU.

July 27, 2010: Wicca (Modern Witchcraft). This is not your mother’s witchcraft. Wicca is the fastest growing religion in North America. It is a religion that involves a reverence/respect for nature and the environment. Come and learn and perhaps with the new information you will better understand why non-traditional religions are growing and traditional church attendance is in decline.

Presentation by Dr. Susan Harper-Bisso, she is a practicing Wicca (Witch) and holds a Ph.D. degree in Anthropology from SMU with a dissertation on Witchcraft.

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