Process & Faith

Christian Process Explorations
2025-05-26 17:00 - 18:00, 2025-04-28 17:00 - 18:00, 2025-03-24 17:00 - 18:00, 2025-02-24 17:00 - 18:00, 2025-01-27 17:00 - 18:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
A Discussion Group About the Exploring, Sharing, and Practice of Christian Process-Relational Theology

This learning circle focuses on the exploring, sharing, and practice of Christian process-relational theology, as relevant to all age groups: children, teenagers, adults, senior citizens. We meet monthly to discuss process-relational ideas and practices in local settings like churches, religious education, hospitals, and recovery groups. Together we explore how to share those ideas, as well as how to embody their wisdom in daily life situations. This is co-sponsored by the P&F Christian Path Group.

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Buddhist Process Explorations
2025-05-21 17:00 - 18:00, 2025-04-16 17:00 - 18:00, 2025-03-19 17:00 - 18:00, 2025-02-19 17:00 - 18:00, 2025-01-15 17:00 - 18:00
A Discussion Group About the Exploring, Sharing, and Practice of Buddhist Process-Relational Thought

At face value, the Buddha’s Dharma and Whitehead’s Process Philosophy seem to characterize reality in very different ways, and for different reasons. The Buddha taught that reality as we typically experience it is an impermanent, selfless and dissatisfying process of cyclic becoming continuously powered by compulsive attachment and aversion grounded in delusion. The Buddha prescribed various methods we could deploy in order to go beyond this painful and immiserated condition, methods which involve thorough analysis and deconstruction of our habituated and self-limiting assumptions about ourselves and the world as well as means of cultivating more purified states of awareness and embodiment so that we can awaken to the way things really are and unleash our core potential.
Whitehead elaborated a systematic philosophical scheme, replete with foundational metaphysical categories, that reconstructs reality as a cumulative process of concrescence whereby many diverse feelings creatively synthesize into a novel experience, aiming towards satisfaction and lured to completion through divine persuasion. For Whitehead, many of the issues in philosophy and society at large could be traced to various fallacious conceptions concerning nature, language, and experience which he sought to rectify with his panexperiential, process-relational Philosophy of Organism.

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Christian Leadership & Process Thought
2025-05-21 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-04-16 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-03-19 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-02-19 09:00 - 10:00
A Discussion Group About Christian Leadership & Process-Relational Thought

Christian leadership is at work in worship, outreach, religious education, pastoral care, self care, and administration. This learning circle seeks to explore process theology and offer a process perspective on the real challenges related to church leadership.

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Process Pop-Up: The God of the Growing Edge: Whitehead and Thurman on Theology, Spirituality, and Social Change
2025-04-30 17:00 - 18:00 | Live Zoom Sessions
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In this Pop-Up, Bruce Epperly will draw from his book The God of the Growing Edge: Whitehead and Thurman on Theology, Spirituality, and Social Change to explore the intersecting spiritual visions of two towering figures: Alfred North Whitehead, the eminent philosopher and process theologian, and Howard Thurman, the influential African American mystic, theologian, and civil rights leader. Investigating these thinkers’ complementary strengths offers a timely resource for contemplative activists seeking a deeper integration of spirituality and social transformation in our turbulent times.
Whitehead’s metaphysics provides a robust intellectual framework for understanding a universe of interconnectedness, change, and possibility, while Thurman’s lived experience of oppression and spiritual resistance infuses this framework with prophetic urgency and practical wisdom. Together, they offer a powerful and timely message for today’s world. Exploring this “growing edge” of faith offers a compelling path toward a more just, compassionate, and sustainable future.
This Pop-Up will also serve as a jumping off point for Bruce’s upcoming course with Process & Faith, Exploring Global Mysticism through a Process Lens, beginning May 6.

Quotes

“Always there seems to be something more to be experienced, to be felt, to know. My mind rejects any conclusion as being final. The greatest source of hope, therefore, for both the present and the future, is the awareness of the potential in me, in other people, in life itself.”
Howard Thurman, in an introduction to A Track to the Water’s Edge: An Olive Schreiner Reader

“The vigour of civilized societies is preserved by the wide-spread sense that high aims are worthwhile. Vigorous societies harbour a certain extravagance of objectives so that [people] wander beyond the safe provision of personal gratifications… the perfection of life resides in aims beyond the individual person in question.”
Alfred North Whitehead, Adventures of Ideas

About the Speaker

Bruce Epperly

Bruce Epperly, PhD has spent over forty years in the varied vocations of seminary and university professor, university chaplain, congregational pastor, and seminary administrator. He is the author of over sixty books in theology, spirituality, health and healing, scripture, politics, and ministerial excellence and wellbeing, including The Elephant is Running: Process and Open and Relational Theologies and Religious Pluralism; Process Theology: Embracing Adventure with God; Mystics in Action: Twelve Saints for Today; Prophetic Healing: Howard Thurman’s Vision of Contemplative Activism; and Francis of Assisi: From Privilege to Activism. Follow his work at Patheos: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/livingaholyadventure/

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Disclaimer: By registering for and attending this event, I grant permission to Process & Faith and the Center for Process Studies for the rights of my image, likeness, and sound of my voice as recorded on audio or video in this event. I waive any right to inspect or approve any resulting products wherein my likeness appears. My presence in the event (in person or online) constitutes my consent to such photography, filming and/or recording and to any use, in any and all media in perpetuity, of my appearance, voice and name for any purpose whatsoever.

Exploring Ideas in the World's Religions
2025-04-23 16:00 - 17:30, 2025-04-16 16:00 - 17:30, 2025-04-09 16:00 - 17:30, 2025-04-02 16:00 - 17:30, 2025-03-26 16:00 - 17:30, 2025-03-19 16:00 - 17:30, 2025-03-12 16:00 - 17:30, 2025-03-05 16:00 - 17:30
Engaging and Interpreting Key Ideas in the World’s Great Religious Traditions

In this eight-week course, students will engage key ideas from the world’s religious traditions and interpret them through the lens of Huston Smith’s works and process philosophy using individual thought, curiosity, creativity, and spiritual growth.
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Process Pop-Up: A Tale of Two Narratives: Judeo-Christian Perspectives on Creation and Salvation
2025-04-10 17:00 - 18:00
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The Christian grand narrative familiar to most people in Western Christianity is a story of Fall and Redemption. Organized around Augustine’s 4th century doctrine of “original sin,” the Fall/Redemption grand narrative begins with the concept that humankind and all of creation exist in a pervasive state of corruption from which only God in Christ can deliver them.
There is, however, an earlier Christian grand narrative that emerged from ancient Jewish and Christian traditions prior to the 4th century. This grand narrative tells the story of Creation/Restoration. It focuses on the concept of divine guidance and creaturely response in creating life that enacts God’s vision to restore shalom/peace among all aspects of creation.
Therefore, Western Christianity features two grand narratives. One highlights sin and the need for redemption. The other highlights God’s earthly aim for the restoration of shalom. The narrative Christians choose to live by determines how they approach life theologically, spiritually, and faithfully in the moment-by-moment interactions of each and every day.
After giving a brief introduction to each of the narratives, Dr. Gayle Hansen Browne will address the following topics:

The Roots and Evolution of the Creation/Restoration Narrative
The Roots and Evolution of the Fall/Redemption Narrative
A Comparison of Perspectives On Major Christian Themes

Creation
Sin
Judgment
Salvation

Why the Story Christians Tell Makes a Difference

Quote

“There is a difference between the ancient Jewish spiritual tradition, from which early Christianity emerged, and the Greco-Roman spiritual tradition, which has dominated Western spirituality since the fourth century. The ancient Jewish/early Christian spirituality emerges from a grand narrative of creation and restoration. The Greco-Roman spirituality emerges from a grand narrative of fall and redemption.”
Gayle Hansen Browne, Wild Geese Rising: Living Prayer as Moment-by-Moment Contemplative Action

About the Speaker

Gayle Hansen Browne

The Rev. Gayle Hansen Browne, ThD, is a teacher, spiritual director, retreat leader, open and relational theologian, writer, Episcopal priest, and mindfulness guide. She is the author of Wild Geese Rising: Living Prayer as Moment-by-Moment Contemplative Action. Her published essays include “Praying and Singing in the Language of Love” (in Preaching the Uncontrolling Love of God) and “Amipotence in Action” (in Amipotence, Vol. 2). Dr. Browne also writes a monthly reflection called Beholding and Befriending Life, which offers a brief meditation and prompt for mindful living at https://gaylehansenbrowne108.substack.com

To reserve your seat and receive the Zoom information, click the Going button and enter your name and email.

Disclaimer: By registering for and attending this event, I grant permission to Process & Faith and the Center for Process Studies for the rights of my image, likeness, and sound of my voice as recorded on audio or video in this event. I waive any right to inspect or approve any resulting products wherein my likeness appears. My presence in the event (in person or online) constitutes my consent to such photography, filming and/or recording and to any use, in any and all media in perpetuity, of my appearance, voice and name for any purpose whatsoever.

Process & Presence
2025-03-25 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-02-25 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-01-28 16:00 - 17:00
An Exploration of the Intersection between Zen Buddhism and Process Philosophy

Led by Reverend Reirin Gumbel (resident priest, Milwaukee Zen Center) and Jay McDaniel (Chair, Center for Process Studies), this conversation will explore the synergies between Zen Buddhism and Process Philosophy, with a particular emphasis on Taoism as a foundational source for Zen.
Gumbel and McDaniel will use China Root: Taoism, Ch’an, and Original Zen by David Hinton (Shambhala Publications, 2020) as a springboard for discussion. Participants are encouraged to read selected short sections of the book in advance of each session to enrich the dialogue.

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Process Pop-Up: From Amipotence to All-Encompassing Mercy: Integrating Oord’s Theology of Love into the Islamic Tradition
2025-02-27 17:00 - 18:00
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What are the challenges and opportunities of integrating Oord’s amipotence into Islamic theology?
In this session, Adis Duderija, a scholar of Islamic theology, will explore his agreement with Thomas Jay Oord’s critique of classical theistic omnipotence and his compelling concept of amipotence.
Drawing from Oord’s work as well as his own scholarship, Dr. Duderija will guide participants through the theological landscape, examining both the obstacles and opportunities for integrating amipotence within the Islamic interpretive tradition. We’ll delve into how we can reframe our understanding of the Qur’an and its portrayal of God’s mercy, emphasizing that divine love and mercy are not just attributes but the essence of God’s nature.
Expect to engage in thought-provoking discussions about the implications for human flourishing and well-being within our faith traditions.
Topics include:

Critique of Classical Theism: Examination of Oord’s critique of traditional concepts of omnipotence and the introduction of amipotence.
Integration into Islamic Tradition: Exploration of theological obstacles and opportunities for incorporating amipotence within the Islamic interpretive framework.
Understanding Divine Attributes: Discussion on the Qur’an’s portrayal of God’s attributes, particularly focusing on mercy (Ar-Rahman) and its implications for divine love.
Human Flourishing and Well-Being: Analysis of how the concept of amipotence relates to human well-being and the challenges of defining and applying these concepts in various contexts.

Quote

“Mercy, therefore, flows from the very nature and essence of God, who is defined by profound love and compassion. As the creator of all creation, God’s deepest motivation is unconditional love for it. Mercy is how that divine love expresses itself in this world through gracious forgiveness of mistakes and healing of imperfections. The fountainhead of mercy arises from the infinite wellspring of divine love. In essence, according to this approach to Islamic theology, mercy lies at the core of the divine character. It is one of the most exalted names of God, manifesting love and forgiveness toward creation from the boundless depths of the Creator’s care, compassion and benevolence. In Islamic theology, God’s Mercy and God’s Love are, therefore, intrinsically connected.”
Adis Duderija, PhD

About the Speaker

Adis Duderija

Adis Duderija, PhD is an Associate Professor in the study of Islam and Society at Griffith University in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. He has been publishing extensively for almost two decades on various aspects of the Islamic intellectual tradition, especially progressive Islam.

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Memorial Service | John B. Cobb, Jr.
2025-02-15 15:00 - 16:30 | Claremont United Church of Christ, 233 W. Harrison Ave., Claremont, CA, 91711, United States
The Center for Process Studies is planning a public memorial for Dr. Cobb on Saturday, February 15th, 2025 at the Claremont United Church of Christ. The Service will run between 3:00pm – 4:30pm PST. We will also be livestreaming the memorial on YouTube. A reception will be held immediately after the service, offering a time for fellowship and sharing memories of John.

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Renewing Faith Online Conference
2025-01-23 15:00 - 2025-01-25 13:30
Process & Faith invites you on a sacred online journey to renew your faith and explore how we live into process and open & relational theology together. Let’s bring more beauty into our Christian paths!
During this multi-day online event, we’ll explore several core themes of Christian faith—not academically, but in “big conversations” and practices.

Renewing Faith: A Call for Reimagination and Renewal
Renewing God: Deep Listening, Creativity, Transformation
Renewing Jesus: Atonement, Salvation
Renewing Message: Preaching, Scripture
Renewing Worship: Liturgy, Creeds, Sacraments, Aesthetics
Renewing Spirit: Practices, Religious Experience
Renewing Community: Education, Outreach, Service

We’re going to do our best to not be all heady about it, but actually drop down deeper—into our bodies and souls! It’ll be online, so body and soul can join from home.

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