Last year I went to Chautauqua in upstate New York for the first time. Chautauqua is famous for providing education over 9 weeks every summer on various topics of secular, religious and cultural basis. It is an institute started in the late 19th century that has evolved and is now ecumenical and multi-cultural. Originally it was a place for families to come in the summer by train, relax on beautiful Lake Chautauqua and be entertained by sermons, lectures, music, dance and theater. Over time families built houses and the institute expanded its facilities and a grand hotel was built. Now you can stay on the grounds in the hotel or rent a house or stay off the grounds and drive in for the day's events. Of course, this year everything is changed with Covid-19. All programs are presented virtually and can be seen over the web. Here are the themes for this year's program. Check out their website and see the diversity of speakers and presentations.
Week One • June 27–July 4 | Climate Change: Prioritizing Our Global and Local Response
Week Two • July 4–11 | Forces Unseen: What Shapes Our Daily Lives
Week Three • July 11–18 | Art and Democracy
Week Four • July 18–25 | The Ethics of Tech: Scientific, Corporate and Personal Responsibility
Week Five • July 25–August 1 | The Women’s Vote Centennial and Beyond
Week Six • August 1–8 | Rebuilding Public Education
Week Seven • August 8–15 | The Science of Us
Week Eight • August 15–22 | Reframing the Constitution
Week Nine • August 22–30 | The Future We Want, The World We Need: Collective Action for Tomorrow’s Challenges
This week, week eight, is on the topic of Reframing the Constitution. with scholars such as Jeffrey Rosen and Robert Levy and historian Jon Meacham. The big artistic name is violinist Joshua Bell. Giving a series of lectures in their Interfaith Lecture Series is Father Richard Rohr. Richard is famous as a speaker and author; he is a Franciscan priest and heads the Center for Action and Contemplationin Albuquerque. I know Richard personally from Cincinnati when we were both young men and he was co-head of the New Jerusalem Community and I was a recent ex-Jesuit looking for a community and parish. I believe I can say that Richard is the best preacher I have ever heard and what he says makes sense to you in your deepest source because he speaks honestly and unvarnished.
This year he is speaking on the subject of evil and is attempting to explain it. He does not mince words though the subject is difficult to define. You won't be overwhelmed with piety nor does he give a Roman Catholic only perspective. I think you'll find a touchstone whatever your faith perspective may be. Enrolling in all the Chautauqua program for 2020 is a bargain of $45 for the entire season and all the lectures and artistic performances are included. And, the first 90 days is free. If its not your cup of tea, cancel your membership. But give it a try and consider taking in Richard's lectures.
