Seeing No Stranger | La Foret Conference

"The future is dark. Is this the darkness of the tomb—
or the darkness of the womb?"

A global pioneer and visionary, Valarie Kaur reframes the present moment in history as one of transition and believes each of us has a role in the labor of birthing a new future. Her message has inspired millions of people around the world and ignited a movement to reclaim love as a force for justice. Valarie will offer a keynote on 9/29 and a workshop on 9/30 to draw forth our deepest wisdom to explore how Revolutionary Love can transform our lives — love for others, our opponents, and ourselves. Through her renowned storytelling, teaching, and embodied inquiry, she will show us how to build beloved community, from the inside out.

SCHEDULE

FLYER

What's included in this event?

Full program includes...
- Friday night keynote speech
- Saturday morning workshops facilitated by Valarie Kaur
- Saturday afternoon cohort connection with people doing similar work in the world
- Opportunities for embodiment and integration led by partner organization, Uncommon Grace
- Saturday night community connection and story sharing
- Saturday night dance with live DJ
- Sunday morning integration workshop and closing ritual
- 5 meals (Dinner Friday through Breakfast Sunday)
Friday-Only registration includes the appetizer hour, poetry presentation by Ashley Cornelius, keynote by Valarie Kaur, and Langar (community meal) by Colorado Sikhs
Childcare for kids younger than 3rd grade (mini-camp experiences for grades 3-7 and youth program for students grades 8-12 is an additional cost)
Lodging is optional. You may stay nearby or commute for no additional fee. A variety of lodging options are available from a shared yurt ($78 for two nights) to a private room in a cabin ($194 for two nights).

ALL Ages

During Friday night's keynote speech and both the morning and afternoon workshops on Saturday, the following are available for every age group:

Childcare for kids younger than 3rd grade
Mini-camp experiences for grades 3-7
Youth program facilitated by skilled leaders for students in grades 8-12

For participants in grades 8-12, please register using the link above and the discount code YOUTH50. For children in 7th grade and younger, please email logan@laforet.org

Collaborators

Ashley Cornelius

Pikes Peak Poet Laureate. Ashley will be offering a unique poem on Revolutionary Love to open our weekend.

Kim Montenegro

Co-founder of Uncommon Grace. Director of Religious and Spiritual Life at University of the Pacific. Kim and Corbin will be co-creating spaces for embodiment and integration.

Corbin Tobey-Davis

Co-founder of Uncommon Grace. Executive Director of The Rock Center. Corbin and Kim will be co-creating spaces of embodiment and integration throughout the weekend.

Mallory Everhart

Mallory is a clergyperson in the United Church of Christ, lead pastor of Vista Grande UCC in Colorado Springs, founder of Becoming Sanctuary Spiritual Care, and community organizer. She is leading a pre-event, "Where Joy and Action Meet"

Russell Arnold

Planning Team. Russ is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Religious Studies at Regis University in Denver. He teaches courses in Interfaith Studies, Biblical Studies, and Jewish Studies.

Tamara Boynton

Planning Team. Tamara is the Director of Student Belonging and the Minister for Spiritual Diversity at Regis University in Denver. She has extensive experience in interfaith work.

Nitu Singh

Planning Team. Nitu serves as the Southern Liaison for Colorado Sikhs.

Naureen Singh

Planning Team. Naureen is the Policy Director
Asian Pacific Development Center Community Organizer for Colorado Sikhs

Logan Bennett

Planning Team. Logan is the Director of Transformational Programs at La Foret Conference & Retreat Center

Sponsors

Jesus Has Left the Building

What does it mean to follow Jesus? How can we reclaim the identity of "Christian" as the revolutionary way of Jesus? In this podcast, Marta and Mandy explore these questions in order to help bring about God's kin-dom, on earth as it is in heaven.

RawTools

“They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation; they will train for war no more. Everyone will sit under their own vine and fig tree. No one shall make them afraid.”

UCCS Center for Religious Diversity and Public Life

Fostering a healthy and fruitful relationship between the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and the surrounding community as it concerns religious issues and public life.

Living Waters Community Church, Denver

Because we all need ritual.
Because we are made for community.
Because church doesn’t have to be on Sunday.

Rocky Mountain Conference of the United Church of Christ

The Rocky Mountain Conference exists to inspire, challenge, and empower generous faith and justice communities across the West.

Colorado Sikhs

Our mission is to promote diversity, understanding, and community development through education and civic engagement.

First Congregational UCC of Colorado Springs

We Are An Open and Affirming, Just Peace congregation dedicated to offering a spiritual home to all people. We actively encourage people to love, learn and grow with us. Support for diversity in thought, in community, and in all manner of contribution is vital to our interactions with one another.

Unity Project

Unity Project is a collective of humans seeking to dismantle individual and systemic biases through education, service, and singing.

The Rock Center

Unity Project is a collective of humans seeking to dismantle individual and systemic biases through education, service, and singing.

All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church

All Souls is a welcoming community that celebrates its liberal religious tradition and its rich diversity, inspires authentic relationship and spiritual growth, and works for a more just, loving, and compassionate society

Regis University, Office of Mission

The Office of Mission works to build a culture committed to the Jesuit mission and supports opportunities to deepen understanding and live out the ideals rooted in our Jesuit, Catholic tradition. Committed to respect for all, we enable all members of the Regis community to grow as individuals and contribute to building a more just and humane world.

The Colorado College Chaplain's Office

The Chaplain's Office fosters the life of the spirit by inviting authentic spiritual exploration and meaningful religious commitment. Supporting the human quest for identity and belonging, we cultivate an education of the heart to enrich the life of the mind at CC.

Black Forest Community Church

Serve God. With Our Whole Heart.
Love. With No Exceptions.
Create Sanctuary. For All People

Congregational United Church of Christ, Buena Vista

As followers of Jesus, we are committed to exploring together Jesus’ teachings, his actions, and his justice, to better love, respect, and welcome all people.