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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Urbana Seminary
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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260223T090000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260223T150000
DTSTAMP:20260513T213527
CREATED:20251208T201204Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251211T164530Z
UID:8431-1771837200-1771858800@urbanatheologicalseminary.org
SUMMARY:Preaching Forum
DESCRIPTION:“The Past\, Present\, and Future of American Christianity”\nFebruary 23\, 2026.\nDr. Ryan Burge\nSIGN UP HERE\n“The Past\, Present\, and Future of American Christianity” offers a wide- angle look at how faith has shaped—and been reshaped by—the American experience. Across this day of lectures\, Ryan Burge traces the long arc of Christian influence in the United States\, examines the seismic cultural and demographic shifts transforming churches right now\, and highlights the emerging trends that will define the next several decades. Blending historical context with fresh data and clear-eyed analysis\, this series gives attendees a grounded\, evidence-based understanding of where American Christianity has been—and where it’s headed. Session titles include: The American Religious Landscape over the Last Fifty Years\, Your Church is Probably Not Growing – And That’s Okay and What We Can Learn from the Fastest Growing Churches in America. \nLocation: Windsor Road Christian Church\nTime: 9:00 AM—3:00 PM\nCost: $40 per person lunch included \nDr. Ryan Burge is a Professor of Practice at the John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics at Washington University in St. Louis and a leading voice on the intersection of faith and public life. A political scientist and renowned data analyst\, his research provides critical insights into the impact of religion on American society\, earning him features in The New York Times\, The Wall Street Journal\, POLITICO\, and on 60 Minutes. He also authors the widely read “Graphs about Religion” newsletter\, where he translates complex data for tens of thousands of subscribers\, making him a distinguished guide through the country’s changing religious landscape. \nDr. Burge is the author of five significant books\, including The Nones\, The Great Dechurching\, and The American Religious Landscape\, which explore seismic shifts in church attendance and religious identity. Combining his academic expertise with over twenty years of experience as a pastor in the American Baptist Church\, he brings a rare\, dual perspective to the study of religious demography and polarization. His work\, including his book The Vanishing Church (2026)\, offers essential analysis for understanding the challenges facing faith communities and democracy today.
URL:https://urbanatheologicalseminary.org/event/preaching-forum-2/
LOCATION:Windsor Road Christian Church\, 2501 W Windsor Rd\, Champaign\, IL\, 61822\, United States
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260308T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260320T170000
DTSTAMP:20260513T213527
CREATED:20241113T164509Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251208T210026Z
UID:8153-1772956800-1774026000@urbanatheologicalseminary.org
SUMMARY:Biblical Turkey
DESCRIPTION:March 8-20\, 2026Tour Host: Dr. Kenneth Cuffey\nDownload the brochure here. \nApplication Form \nUrbana Seminary’s Training through Travel is delighted to announce a new trip to the lands of the Bible. This March 8-20\, 2026\, you can join us for a trip through Turkey to see Biblical sites. \nDid you know that there are so many Bible-related sites in Turkey that the country is often referred to as the “second Holy Land”? This Bible Lands trip is designed to deepen your ability to read the Bible better to hear from God—in reality\, it’s a discipleship trip\, giving you tools for envisioning the world of the Bible and understanding what God was doing. \nWhat We’ll See \nBiblical Turkey 2026 will give you a panoramic view of the growth of the early church in the period of AD 50-100! We will travel to Antioch to see the city and its harbor—the site where the Gentiles were first part of the intentional ministry of the early preachers and evangelists\, where Peter came and preached\, where Barnabas and Paul were commissioned for their first Missionary Journey. We’ll visit Tarsus to ponder Paul’s origins. As we travel West\, we will follow in the footsteps of Paul’s first\, second\, and third Missionary Journeys. \nIn Ephesus\, we will consider the amazingly preserved remains of the city where both Paul and John had extended ministry. Imagine sitting in the huge theater of Ephesus to consider all that God did there through his apostles\, as well as reconstruct in our minds the raucous riot that took place right where we will be sitting! Did you know that early church tradition says that John brought Jesus’ mother\, Mary\, here after Jerusalem was destroyed in AD 70? \nThen we turn North and visit the seven Churches of Revelation. This lets us go deeper into what these sites and their history can teach us about what the Book of Revelation is all about. Why did John write a book like this? You’ll also get the chance to enjoy Istanbul and the history of the early church\, as well as some unexpected Old Testament connections! So much to see and so much for each of us as we grow in Christ! \n— \nThe trip Includes – Roundtrip international air from Chicago– Istanbul – Adana domestic flight– 1 Night at Grand Halic Hotel in Istanbul or similar– 2 Nights at The Museum Hotel in Antioch or similar– 1 Night at Anemon Hotel in Konya or similar– 2 Nights at Best Western Khan Hotel in Antalya or similar– 1 Night at Doga Thermal Hotel in Pamukkale or similar– 1 Night at Korumar Hotel in Kusadasi or similar– 3 Nights at Kordon Cankaya Hotel in Izmir or similar– Daily open buffet breakfasts– 11 dinners– Licensed English Speaking Biblical oriented Guide throughout the itinerary– Private Bus with driver throughout the itinerary– One group transfer on arrival and departure– Entrance fees to all sites– Headsets– Tolls & parking fees– Service charges and local taxes \nContact: Dee Hoiem\, dietlind.hoiem7@gmail.com \n\n 
URL:https://urbanatheologicalseminary.org/event/biblical-turkey/
LOCATION:turkey\, Turkey
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://urbanatheologicalseminary.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/turkey-tour2.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260427T090000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260427T160000
DTSTAMP:20260513T213527
CREATED:20251208T203043Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260401T144849Z
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SUMMARY:Ministry Forum
DESCRIPTION:SIGN UP HERE\n  \nConnected by Story: Building your Community through Media\nDate: April 27\, 2026\nLocation: Stratford Park Bible Chapel\nTime: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM\nCost: $40 per person\, lunch included\nFeaturing Dr. Matt Green and Monty Klecker\nThe heart of ministry is relationship — and the heart of relationship is story. In Scripture\, God uses story to reveal His nature\, transform lives\, and unite His people. Today’s digital world gives ministries more opportunities than ever to share their story with purpose\, creativity\, and impact. Urbana Seminary’s inaugural Ministry Forum will provide you with more than theory — you’ll leave with tools\, strategies\, and inspiration to share through story in ways that engage hearts\, grow trust\, and invite people deeper into community. \nDr. Matt Green is a seasoned Web & Software Development instructor and program lead at Waukesha County Technical College. He holds a Doctorate in Contextualized Ministry from Northwind Theological Seminary\, where his studies focused on education\, global digital ministry and the intersection of AI and faith. \nMontie Klecker is the Director of Student Ministries at Meadowbrook Church in Wauwatosa\, WI\, and a Master of Divinity graduate from Duke Divinity School with a focus on Theology and the Arts. He previously worked as a creative director specializing in church videography\, designing their online presence and crafting videos to point people back toward the Gospel messages from the Church’s sermons.
URL:https://urbanatheologicalseminary.org/event/ministry-forum/
LOCATION:Stratford Park Bible Chapel\, 2801 W Kirby Ave\, Champaign\, IL\, 61821\, United States
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260509T083000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260509T150000
DTSTAMP:20260513T213527
CREATED:20260401T145611Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260401T145715Z
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SUMMARY:Library Book Sale
DESCRIPTION:Remember the excitement of a school book fair\, the thrill of discovering something unexpected on every table? We invite you to rediscover that joy at Urbana Seminary’s library booksale. Each year\, we receive a wide range of donated books—some beyond our collection’s scope\, others duplicates of titles we already hold. This sale is our way of placing these excellent resources into your hands at a fraction of their original cost. \nIf you are interested in volunteering or if you have any questions\, please contact Dr. Melody Green. \nWhether you’re interested in biblical commentaries\, theology\, spiritual formation\, Christianity and culture\, Bible studies\, church history\, or Christian fiction\, you’ll find a wide range of titles waiting to be discovered at our book sale. \nThere’s something here for every reader\, and we’d love to see you there!
URL:https://urbanatheologicalseminary.org/event/library-book-sale/
LOCATION:Stratford Park Bible Chapel\, 2801 W Kirby Ave\, Champaign\, IL\, 61821\, United States
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260515
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260801
DTSTAMP:20260513T213527
CREATED:20260430T171711Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260430T171933Z
UID:8502-1778803200-1785542399@urbanatheologicalseminary.org
SUMMARY:Summer Reading Program
DESCRIPTION:Summer Reading Program 2026\nWere you the kind of kid who liked summer reading programs? Are you the kind of adult who loves to read but needs a little motivation? Are you the kind of adult who loves to read\, but would like to do it in community with others? If any of these sound like you\, this Summer Reading Program is for you! It even has prizes! \nHow It Works: \n\n\nThe reading program begins May 15 and will end on July 31. \n\n\nBetween these dates\, you will read one book for each of the ten categories on the submission form. \n\n\nAfter reading your 10 chosen books or at the end of the program\, email the  form (scanned or photographed) to Melody Green at mgreen@urbanatheologicalseminary.org \n\n\nAdditionally\, if you’re on Facebook\, we have a group specifically designed to connect with other readers. You can make book suggestions\, ask for recommendations\, and share thoughts about books. Join the FB group “Urbana Theological Seminary Summer Reading Program for Grownups 2026.” \nPrizes\nRead Five Books: You will be entered into a drawing for one of three Book Lovers Gift Baskets. We’ll email the winners. If you are not in the area\, we will ask you for an address so we can send your basket.\nRead Ten Books: You will be invited to an old-fashioned Ice Cream Social on September 12 (even if you are out of the area\, we can Zoom you in to say “hi” and talk about books!)\, you will also receive a certificate of completion\, a few small fun items\, a non-transferable certificate for $100 off a credit course\, or $25 off one audit course. \nTheme: Reading for the Refreshment of the Soul\nIn C. S. Lewis’s Voyage of the Dawn Treader\, Lucy reads a story that is titled “Spell for the Refreshment of the Soul\,” and later\, when she cannot access the story\, she asks Aslan to tell her the story again. He says that he will always be telling her that story—a story that refreshes the soul. So we recommend that\, for this year’s summer reading program\, you find books that refresh your soul. If you have any questions\, please contact Dr. Melody Green.
URL:https://urbanatheologicalseminary.org/event/8502/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://urbanatheologicalseminary.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Copy-of-isac.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260530T130000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260530T160000
DTSTAMP:20260513T213527
CREATED:20260401T150239Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260401T153047Z
UID:8483-1780146000-1780156800@urbanatheologicalseminary.org
SUMMARY:The Old Testament in Chicago
DESCRIPTION:REGISTER HERE\nJoin us on May 30th for an unforgettable journey through the Old Testament in Chicago! We’ll step into the past at the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures (ISAC) Museum (formerly the Oriental Institute) on the University of Chicago campus\, where fascinating artifacts from Ancient Israel\, Egypt\, Babylon\, Assyria\, and Canaan bring history to life. Dr. Ken Cuffey\, Professor of Biblical Studies\, will guide us on a three-hour tour\, illuminating the deep connections between the museum’s treasures and the Old Testament narratives. \nTime: 1:00 pm (We’ll meet at the museum’s front entrance at 12:45)\nCost: $25\nLocation: The University of Chicago campus (1155 E 58th Street\, Chicago 60637).  \nFor those needing transportation: The registration form offers an option to request a ride. If you’d like to help by driving\, please contact Dr. Melody Green to let us know when you sign up\, and we’ll arrange the details. Feel free to invite friends interested in learning more about ancient cultures! We look forward to seeing you there!
URL:https://urbanatheologicalseminary.org/event/8483/
LOCATION:The University of Chicago\, 1155 E 58th Street\, Chicago\, Illinois
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