The Future of Faith
Imagining Life Together

San Francisco | Jan 30 – Feb 1, 2025

The longing for meaningful human relationships remains one enduring constant in a topsy-turvy world. Even as people leave churches in record numbers, the quest for community continues unabated. Why is the search for relational connection, often marked by disappointment, still so persistent? We will gather to imagine life together as a way to move with faith into the future. 

Imagination is a powerful discipline of hope, enabling us to envision spiritual community in an ever-evolving world. As Christena Cleveland reminds us, “Imagination is theology; we can only believe what we can imagine.” Fueled by our anger at oppressive realities, imagination moves us toward a collective vision for transformation. This holy and creative act can unlock new pathways for action and justice.
 
Through guest speakers, group conversation, shared meals, and embodied practices, we will explore the sacred potential of collective dreaming to shape a future of faith that reflects our deepest aspirations for life together.
 

Join us as we reflect on the future of faith by imagining life together.

REGISTER

Speakers & Guides

Schedule

Our gathering begins at 6:30 pm PT Thursday and concludes at 2:30 pm PT on Saturday. This is a draft schedule and subject to change. All times on schedule below shown in Pacific Time (PT).

6:30  Registration & Light Dinner

7:00  Welcome & Introductions

7:15  Session 1

8:45  End of Program

8:30  Coffee and Registration 

9:00  Morning Prayer 

9:30  Session 2 

11:00  Break

11:15  Imagination Workshop

12:00  Break

12:15  Lunch in small groups

1:15  Intro to City Walks

1:30  City Walks (Option A: Mission District; Option B: North Beach) 

5:00  Happy Hour

8:30  Coffee and Fellowship 

9:00  Morning Prayer 

9:30  Session 3

11:00  Break 

11:15  Community Building 

  • BIPOC Group 
  • Deconstructing Whiteness Group 
  • Open Coffee Bar 
  • Pastors Group 

12:15  Lunch in Small Groups

1:15  Imagination Workshop

2:00  Concluding Reflections 

3:00  End of Program

Details (Cost, Travel, Covid Safety…)

We will be meeting at the Chandran Art Gallery (459 Geary) near Union Square on Thursday and Saturday and Noe Valley Presbyterian Church (1021 Sanchez) on Friday. We have reserved rooms at a discounted rate at the Grand Hyatt near Union Square; public transportation between downtown and Noe Valley is easy with minimal walking (via the J train or BART). 

Space is limited! Regular ticket sales conclude on January 23, 2025. A limited number of tickets for in-person attendance will be available in the final week, beginning 1/24. Streaming passes will be available until 1/30. 

Registration: Early registrations help us greatly in our planning and are therefore significantly discounted; please consider registering at your earliest convenience. 

  • Early Bird A (includes two lunches): $99 (until 11/30)
  • Early Bird B (includes two lunches): $129 (12/01–12/31)
  • Regular Admission (includes two lunches): $159 (01/01–01/23)
  • Thursday Only: $39
  • Friday Only (includes lunch): $79
  • Saturday Only (includes lunch): $79
  • Streaming Pass: $49

Flights
The nearest airports are San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Oakland International Airport (OAK). Both airports are accessible by BART.

Hotels 
We strongly recommend making flexible travel plans with generous cancellation policies. A special discounted rate of $189/night is available at the Grand Hyatt in downtown SF. Reservation links will be available upon completion of event registration. 

Parking
Limited metered street parking is available in the blocks surrounding both venues. There are several parking garages and lots near Chandran Art Gallery and street parking in Noe Valley (while nearby streets are limited to two hours, head a few blocks south of 24th St for all-day spots). SpotHero may be a helpful tool. 

Public Transportation
Both Chandran Art Gallery and Noe Valley Presbyterian Church are walking distance from a number of local and regional transit lines:

  • MUNI Bus Lines: 27, 30, 38, 45 (Downtown); 14, 24, 48, 49 (Noe Valley)
  • MUNI Light Rail: J 
  • BART: Powell Street Station (Downtown), 24th Street Mission Station (Noe Valley)

Biking 
If you are riding your bicycle to the event, there will be limited interior space to park your bike.

We are committed to creating an event experience that keeps everyone as safe as possible. In the face of pandemic fatigue, we also recognize that Covid is still a concern; we will continue to monitor the situation in San Francisco and will update our safety policies as needed to align with local guidance.

As of November 1, 2024, here are our Covid safety policies:

  • VACCINATION (recommended): Following CDC and WHO guidelines, we strongly encourage full Covid vaccination.
  • TESTING (recommended): Please take a Covid test within one day of your participation in the gathering, and refrain from attending if you have a positive result or have Covid symptoms. (Order your FREE tests from the U.S. government here.)
  • MASKS (optional): Please do what feels safe and right for you! 

Thank you for helping us prioritize the safety of every participant. 

Full refund by 11:59 pm PT December 31, 2024. 50% refund by 11:59 pm PT January 15, 2024. No refunds after January 15, 2024. 

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