ISM Poetry Conference: "Love bade me welcome"

Bringing Poetry into the Life of Your Church

May 12 - 14, 2015

 


Designed especially for church leaders, this two-day conference will feature inspiration and practical guidance in the many uses of poetry for worship, liturgy, meditation, and education. Our aim is to equip leaders with the ‘winged words’ of poets as we seek to shape the minds and hearts of contemporary congregations.

The main title from George Herbert’s “Love (III)” recalls God’s invitation and reminds us of the rich legacy of poetry that for millennia has communicated the ways of God to us. As the poet-priest R.S. Thomas once said, “It is within the scope of poetry to express or convey religious truth, and to do so in a more intense and memorable way than any other literary form is able to.  Religion has first of all to do with vision and revelation, and these are best told of in poetry.” Though some may quibble with his exclusive claim, Thomas’ enthusiasm for the value of poetry resonates with the poetic sensibilities always present within a Christian faith. From the remarkable poetry of the Psalms, Prophets, and Wisdom literature, to the splendid verse of Dante, Herbert, Milton, Dickinson, Hopkins, Levertov, and many others up to our contemporaries, poetry has brought life and light to the Church through the ages.  Drawing upon the resources of this tradition, through our plenary sessions, workshops, and times of meditation and worship, we will consider afresh how poetry can revitalize our worshipping communities today.

Image by Susan Sohl: “Polyhymnia”  | CONFERENCE SCHEDULE


Conference Welcome

Guide to Conference Content

Presenter Bios

Recommended Readings

 

 Bringing Poetry into the Life of Your Church

 

Conference Hotel

We are offering a conference rate of $129.00/night from May 12-14, 2015 at the Courtyard New Haven at Yale.  To make your reservation, call the hotel and reference: Poetry Conference.

Courtyard New Haven at Yale
30 Whalley Ave.
New Haven, CT
(203) 777-6221