Doors open at 10:30 am for coffee and conversation.
Sunday Gathering begins at 11 a.m.
Child care is provided. Everyone is welcome!
Program ends at 12:30 p.m.

Featured Speaker: Gretta Vosper, West Hill United-Toronto, “Mind the Gap: Bridging the Space Between Religion and Secularism”
Community Moment: Karin Bauer
Musical Guest: TBA

Gretta Vosper has served West Hill United, a congregation of The United Church of Canada located in Scarborough, Ontario, for nearly two decades. With the leadership of the congregation, she has transitioned West Hill beyond doctrine and created a theologically barrier-free community known around the world for its groundbreaking work. West Hill is featured in the documentary Godless and the upcoming film Losing Our Religion, by Zoot Media.

In an act of solidarity with secular Bangladeshi bloggers identified as atheists, arrested and threatened with execution, Gretta identified as an atheist in 2013. Recently, the United Church has initiated a review of Gretta’s effectiveness as a minister based on her atheistic beliefs. A hearing of her beliefs took place in June 2016; Gretta was found to be “Unsuitable for ministry in the UCC” and has been recommended for dismissal.

Gretta is the author of the national bestseller With or Without God: Why the Way We Live is More Important that What We Believe, and Amen: What Prayer Can Mean in a World Beyond Belief, an exploration of prayer stripped of supernatural expectations. Additionally, she has published three collections of poetry and continues to write new lyrics to traditional hymns. Nonexclusive inspirational liturgical and music resources prepared for use at West Hill – where those who hold traditional beliefs share the pews with others who don’t – are used internationally.

Gretta serves on the board of The Oasis Network, a growing network of secular communities. In the past she has served as a director and officer of The Clergy Project, an international network for clergy who no longer believe, and founded the Canadian Centre for Progressive Christianity. Gretta also serves as a vice-chair of the Board of Governors of Centennial College.

You can learn more about her at www.grettavosper.ca.

*By participating in this event, you agree to abide by the Oasis Code of Conduct (https://www.kcoasis.org/about-oasis/code-of-conduct/).