Process & World-Building in Dune Messiah
A 4-Session Book Group Exploring Frank Herbert’s
Dune Messiah Through a Process-Relational Lens
| WHAT? | Learning Circle |
| WHEN? | Weekly on Sundays at 4:00 – 5:30 PM Pacific / 7:00 – 8:30 PM Eastern March 17th & 24th, and April 7th & 14th |
| WHERE? | Online Via Zoom |
Through the intersections of environment, religion, self identity, and government, participants in this learning circle will explore themes of environment, terrain, and traveling through the religious life.
Our reading of Dune Messiah will consider process themes found in Whitehead’s Process and Reality, while engaging with care to not overlay process theology on Herbert’s work. Rather, the conversation series will consider elements of Herbert’s world-building that are shared with Whitehead’s philosophy of organism. In the consideration, careful attention will be paid to the impediments to process principles in the establishment of institutions of any type.
Some experience with Whitehead’s philosophy is preferred but not required. Dune Messiah will be read over four weeks, with excerpts from Whitehead coupled with each reading.
“Every civilization must contend with an unconscious force which can block, betray or countermand almost any conscious intention of the collectivity.”
–Tleilaxu Theorem (Unproven), Dune Messiah, 27
About the Facilitator
Rev. Dr. Leslie King began her service to First Presbyterian Church of Waco in 2012. She received her BA from Kansas University (’91) and her Masters of Divinity from McCormick Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Chicago (‘94). In 2010 she completed her Doctor of Ministry at Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City Missouri with an emphasis in Spirituality and Organizational Change.
Since September 2020, she has been a yoga instructor (RYT 200) with Spirit Bear Yoga and (RYT 500) with My Vinaysa Practice. She’s a member of Yoga Alliance and has recently completed a Polyvagal Informed Certificate for Mind-Body Practitioners. She enjoys leading yoga flows for her church and the studio, Duality Yoga. Her particular interest is in Yin and Restorative yoga as it relates to spiritual well-being. Piano competency is slowly emerging and music is a source of a lot of joy.
She has been married to DJ King since November of 1996 and together they enjoy watching their three young adult children, Cody, Katie and Claire, make their way in the world. With a menagerie of stray animals, the Kings are glad to call Waco “home”.
Outline of Sessions
- March 17: The Messianic – Overview of Environment, Religion, and Government (pgs 1-56)
- March 24: The Messianic – Empires, Shifting Purpose, and Projections (57-103)
- April 7: The Messianic – The Joy of Living, Oracles, and Mercy (104-154)
- April 14: The Messianic – Life’s Water, Servanthood, and Economy (155-281)
How to Join/Access
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