KINSLER INSTITUTE 2018


2018 Kinsler Bartimaeus Institute

"Digging In: Heels, Histories, Hearts"

February 19-23, 2018 @ Oak View, CA, USA

At Forest Home, Oak View

(scroll down for all accommodation and registration details)

See our latest flyer (PDF 1MB) here, or scroll down for more information on schedule, speakers, registration and accommodation.

The draft SCHEDULE is also available.


Registration is now closed.


Seminary students can receive credit for attending the Institute. Elaine, through Saskatoon Theological Union (ATS accredited), is offering a 3 unit course built around the Institute (consisting of 25 hours of classroom time, 3 online meetings and modest reading and writing requirements). We are offering a special discounted registration fee (and low Canadian tuition rates!) to students who take the Institute for credit, so contact us for requirements and costs. A number of students have expressed interest, so we may have a cohort!

THEME:

As we face the second year of the Trump regime, we are challenged to “dig our heels in” by deepening and broadening our resistance and resilience. To do this wisely we must “delve into our histories,” exploring the roots of our individual and collective stories in order to animate repentance and restorative justice. And to sustain this work we need to “excavate our hearts,” recovering from our addictions and renewing our spirits for long term healing and movement building.


This, our 21st Institute, curates an ecumenical, intergenerational, multicultural and intersectional space for nurturing radical discipleship, spiritual wholeness and public justice.


Confirmed resource people include: Rev. Lynice Pinkard, Rev. Dr. Art Cribbs; Revs. Sue Park and Hyun Hur; Grecia and Josh Lopez Reyes; Rev. Bob Two Bulls; Rose Berger; Sarah Holst; Tim Nafziger; Joshua Grace; Tommy and Lindsay Airey; Tevyn East and Jay Beck; and Elaine Enns and Ched Myers. More to be announced; watch this page.


(image left, Ventura River Watershed, 2018 by Institute Artist in Residence, Sarah Holst)

Registration and Information

Click here for>> Online registration (via Google Docs form.)

Click here for>> Downloadable registration form PDF (1MB) or MS Word (75KB). Note these also contain information on the accommodation packages - you may wish to read this form even if you register online.

Click here for>> Online Payment via PayPal/Credit Card.

Click here for>> Transport Guide (PDF 106KB)


Schedule: Our institute begins Monday at 5 pm and closes at noon on Friday. The schedule is still being finalized, but will include plenaries, bible study, classes, workshops, worship, singing, spiritual practices, arts, small groups, Sabbath and a dance party. Tuesday will focus on how to better “dig in our heels” against the sociopolitical “regress” under the Trump Administration. Wednesday will emphasize “digging into our histories,” wrestling with personal and political narratives, including Art Cribbs’ play “Awaiting Judgment,” a dramatic conversation between two imprisoned 20th century prophets. Thursday will encourage “digging into our hearts” through grief work, addiction recovery disciplines and spiritual healing. Friday will conclude with an ecumenical worship led by Institute chaplain Rev. Robert Two Bulls.

Our southern California resource team members met recently to continue planning for the 2018 Bartimaeus Kinsler Institute (l to r: Josh, Hyun, Sue, Art, Ched, Elaine and Grecia)

The 2018 Kinsler Institute is co-sponsored by:

  • Brown Ecclesial Network

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  • Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity

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  • ReconciliAsian

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  • Saskatoon Theological Union

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  • Holy Fool Arts

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  • Word & World

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Joining Elaine Enns and Ched Myers on our resource team:


  • Rev. Lynice Pinkard

    Lynice Pinkard's current work--as a writer, teacher, healer, and pastor--is dedicated to decolonizing the human spirit and freeing people from what she calls "empire affective disorder." Her commitment is to inspire and nurture a new generation of Spirit-filled servant leaders—dissident disciples—dedicated to the remediation of day-to-day suffering, the building of collective resilience for transformative change, and the pursuit of structural and systemic justice in the world.

  • Is a UCC clergy and executive director of the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity, a statewide immigrant & labor rights coalition.

  • Are Mennonite ministers and directors of ReconciliAsian, which educates and advocates for restorative justice in the Korean community in southern California and on the Korean peninsula.

  • Is Vicar of All Saints Episcopal Mission, director of Indian Work and Multicultural Ministries for the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota, and our Institute chaplain.

  • Is Senior Associate Editor with Sojourners magazine, where she writes a regular column on spirituality and justice. She is a poet, faith-based activist, advocacy journalist and pastoral leader. 

  • Sarah Holst - Artist in Residence

    Is a bioregional oil painter and illustrator living and working in Duluth, Minnesota.  Sarah dreams and schemes of combining her passions in theology, liturgy, ecology and activism into Garden Church: a community engaged in soil and sacrament, survivor support, and compost resurrection.

Facilities and Accommodation

Once again we will hold the Institute on the lovey grounds of Forest Home, Oak View, located at 655 Burnham Road, Oak View, CA 93022. There are large and small meeting halls, spacious grounds and outdoor meeting spaces. Follow this link to see images of accommodation and meeting spaces at Forest Home, Oak View.


Onsite accommodation (bring you own sleeping bag, blanket, pillow and towel) at Forest Home Oak View gives you 2 options:

  • 8-bed (4 bunk) Platform Tents (shared bathroom block); or
  • 10-bed (5 bunk in 2 rooms) Cabins (shared bathroom inside the cabin)

Shared or Single accommodation packages are available at the nearby Oak Ridge Inn. 


Or arrange your own accommodation and register as a Commuter.