It has been several years since we last gathered for a colloquium and the suggestion has arisen to gather once again, now on this side of the pandemic, to renew our company.
My schedule has changed and now allows me to be home in Atchison during much of September, and perhaps the fairer weather would be welcome to you as well.
September 2024 lies between the two gatherings in the Vatican of the Synod on Synodality, so it has been suggested that we each read the forty-page Synthesis Report published at the end of their first month-long session (pdf available here and available in other formats here).
Each person could choose some part, idea, springboard as the basis of a written piece of 3 to 5 pages. We could read each other’s comments before gathering for a conversation.
As in the past we are suggesting that we meet on Friday at the abbey and Saturday at the Mount, with arrivals on Thursday and departures on either Saturday evening or Sunday. Marcia will reserve Bethany for those coming from out-of town, and some may wish to stay at the abbey.
At this point we would like to know whether you will be available to attend a gathering this September. If not, please let me know.
2024 Atchison Conversation dates
We shall make a decision by 15 January 2024 so that we may reserve accommodation for one of the following dates. If you are able to attend, please rank the following three dates:
Friday-Saturday, 6-7 September 2024
Friday-Saturday, 13-14 September 2024
NOT Friday-Saturday, 20-21 September 2024.
Friday-Saturday, 27-28 September 2024
We’ll choose the weekend so that the greatest number of us can attend, and then by preference.
I’m sending this initial invitation to the following:
2024 Atchison Conversation initial invitation list:
Mount:
ME support, not participating.
EF
MZ available all 3 weekends
JS
Abbey:
JA
DM available all 3 weekends
BT would like to listen in
Ferdinand:
KJ prefers 13-14; available all 3 weekends
JV first two weekends are fine; scheduling conflict on 27-28
Cullman:
EB prefers 6-7; can 13-14; cannot 27-28
Big Sur at Berkeley
BH
Ealing:
MS prefers 6-7; can’t 13-14; possible 27-28
Professionals:
CS can all three weekends
SB can all three weekends
WV cannot 6-7; prefers 13-14; cannot 27-28
Summary of responses as of 29 December 2023
Friday-Saturday, 6-7 September 2024
Prefers: MS, EB
Available: MZ, SB, DM, BT, KJ, JV, CS
Cannot: WV
Friday-Saturday, 13-14 September 2024
Preference: KJ, WV
Available: MZ, SB, DM, BT, JV, EB, CS
Can’t: MS
Friday-Saturday, 27-28 September 2024
Available: MZ, SB, DM, KJ, MS, CS
Can’t: JV, EB, WV