CAMPFIRE Presents Rockstar Reverends
Wednesday, August 28, 2024, 1:27 PM
CAMPFIRE presents | (Rockstar Reverends) Jimmy Bartz + Merrill Wade | Sun. Sept 8, 6-7:30p, Virginian Saloon
RSVP on Facebook here!
This month, CAMPFIRE welcomes Episcopal priests Jimmy Bartz and Merrill Wade for a conversation on the relevance of religion in our post-postmodern “new normal,” curated by Travis Helms. Undeniably, the institutional church has perpetuated substantial harm and injustice over the centuries; and in a cultural moment in which Christianity is frequently caricatured and leveraged politically, we will consider what a “reformation 2.0” might look like.
Both Wade and Bartz have launched successful experiments in re-imagining church in new contexts — the Soul of the Musician Series in Austin, Texas and Thad’s in Santa Monica, CA. Together, we’ll explore ways of recovering what’s best in this ancient faith tradition, and what it might contribute to the lives of those seeking holistic flourishing as individuals and communities.
Join us as we discuss ‘the bad news before the good news,’ the lingering legacy of Martin Luther’s ghost, the punk rock aspects of Jesus’ ministry, and what may need to be burned down within the church tradition so that fuller embodiments of love can be rekindled.
Jimmy Bartz serves as rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Prior to coming to Jackson, he was the founder and priest at Thad’s, an emergent Episcopal Church in Santa Monica, California, in the Diocese of Los Angeles. He has also served as the Campus Missioner at the University of Texas in Austin, at All Saints’ in Austin, Texas, and All Saints’ Parish in Beverly Hills, California. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and Virginia Theological Seminary, Jimmy has worked with Red Bull High Performance teaching athletes spiritual disciplines, with Naval Special Warfare working to create systems for character development within special operations teams, and was a speaker at TEDx, Venice Beach. Jimmy is currently writing a book on the spirituality of risk.
Merrill Wade is a recently retired Episcopal priest living in Austin, Texas. A graduate of the University of Texas and General Theological Seminary in New York City, Merrill served three congregations in Mississippi (Vicksburg, Long Beach and Meridian), and served as the Rector of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Austin, Texas for 17 years, retiring in the Fall of 2019. A music lover, Merrill and St. Matthew’s launched a singer-songwriter series in Austin called the Soul of a Musician Series in 2013. The Soul Series was affectionately focused on the heart and soul of the musicians seeking to honor their creativity and vocation. Merrill has spoken on music issues at the South by Southwest Music Conference four times and on occasion is interviewed on local “sports talk” radio as an informed live music curator. He is the September Guest Chaplain at the Chapel of the Transfiguration in Grand Teton National Park.
CAMPFIRE reimagines how we gather as community. Each month, we bring in guest speakers for a unique, participatory storytelling experience, hosted in a subtly ritualized framework, to explore what most drives, moves and inspires us.
Free and open to the public.
***Billy's Burgers and fare from the Virginian Saloon available onsite / free to first-time attendees!***
CAMPFIRE Gatherings are interactive, dynamic storytelling experiences that thrive on guest participation. Guests are encouraged to arrive early and stay late as we enjoy a festal 'communion' of food, libations, and conversation together. Above all, CAMPFIRE aims to create a space for anyone craving meaningful connection.
CAMPFIRE also supports regular small-group meet-ups for individuals keen on deepening conversation and connection over meals, film and article discussion, and skiing / hiking forays into the backcountry.
A project of St. John's Episcopal Church, CAMPFIRE is an inclusive, celebratory community that affirms and honors the dignity and beauty of every human being. All are welcome, always.
Learn more at https://www.stjohnsjackson.org/campfire/
