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Unity Gathering
October 2, 2018 @ 7:00 am - 8:00 pm
The challenges facing us today are unprecedented. These great challenges include climate change and the acceleration of technology – particularly AI and biotechnology. These things alone will change what it means to be human as our cognitive abilities are matched and decision-making is automated. As these changes accelerate, we will fumble for new meaning in the world. That meaning will need to come from each other.
Putting an end to nationalistic and religious hostility – and other forms of divisive fake news – is too great a problem to be solved by one clever person. Instead, it must come from all of us.
None of the religions or nations of today are providing all the answers for all people. Morality, art, spirituality and creativity will be the only source of digging out.
This year, the 20th anniversary of the beginning of this event here in Lewisburg, Bucknell University students, staff, faculty and community members are planning on gathering together for a time of connecting with each other on a broader and more personal level than we have before.
Our goal is to continue the conversations of unity beyond our time at Hufnagle Park because too often, the voices we listen to point out where we differ or are opposed continue to try and divide us. Our goal is to remember that we are more alike than we are different. At the Unity Gathering, we see people from all walks of life but when we have gathered together in the past, we often sit with those who are like us and we leave with people like us. This year, we want to encourage Bucknell Students and Community members to sit among each other. We want those of a diverse faith to share together in conversation.
This year, we are inviting you because you are a unique and precious individual. We want the fullness of our community to be present for this event and also to help facilitate the conversations that will continue because of our coming together. Wherever you are, you can help make this dream of unity a reality. Let’s show the future generations, and ourselves, that we can do better than be at odds with each other.
“Unity is strength… when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.”
Mattie Stepanek
Matthew Joseph Thaddeus Stepanek (July 17, 1990 – June 22, 2004), known as Mattie J.T. Stepanek, was an American poet (or as he wanted to be remembered as “a poet, a peacemaker, and a philosopher who played”)[1] who published seven best-selling books of poetry and peace essays. Before his death (at the age of 13) he had become known as a peace advocate and motivational speaker.
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