- This event has passed.
Spirituality Conference with the Rev. Michael Battle
October 22, 2022 @ 9:30 am - 3:00 pm
The Very Rev. Michael Battle is an Episcopal moral theologian known for his works on spirituality, reconciliation, and the thought of Desmond Tutu. His latest book is titled Desmond Tutu: A Spiritual Biography of South Africa’s Confessor (2021), which arises out of Battle’s personal experience with Tutu (who ordained Battle a priest in 1993) and his extensive study of Tutu’s works.
At the conference, we will explore the three stages of Christian mysticism. We will connect the first stage of purgation to both contemplative prayer and restorative justice. Tutu’s life, Ubuntu theology, and spiritual practices ground this talk, showing how justice and prayer fit together. Subsequently, we will explore the second stage of illumination focusing on the confluence between contemplative prayer and social activism that can produce epic events such as South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Lastly, we will focus on the last mystical stage of union with God. Here, we will explore vestiges of union with God through restorative justice, pilgrimage and forgiveness. Caution is urged in any rush to force this last mystical stage into being, especially for Christians in powerful positions or who live in the global north. This concluding session offers space for discernment about what God might be inviting you and your community into regarding deep reconciliation.
Please decide which pricing option works best for your budget while allowing us to continue to offer high-quality speakers:
Regular Price: $100
Sliding Scale 1: $80
Sliding Scale 2: $60
Sliding Scale 3: $30
Lunch is included!
Zoom Price: $30
The Zoom link will be provided via email a few days before the conference.
To pay by check, please mail your check, phone number, and email address to:
The Cathedral of St. Philip
Attn: Jeannie Mahood
2744 Peachtree Road, NW
Atlanta, GA 30305
About the Spirituality Conference
Since 2009, people have traveled from around the Southeast (and beyond) to spend the day in retreat with acclaimed writers and teachers of Christian spirituality, including Richard Rohr, Kathleen Norris, John Philip Newell, Joyce Rupp, Cynthia Bourgeault, Lauren Artress, Margaret Silf, Barbara Brown Taylor, Becca Stevens, Lerita Coleman Brown, and Amy-Jill Levine.