After months of livestreamed events via Zoom and Facebook, next week’s Upper Room conference promises to take virtual conferences to the next level.
Organizers of the second Upper Room evangelization event says it will be a cinematic experience, not the static video call or live stream many Catholics have become used to during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last year, more than 1,000 people gathered at the inaugural Upper Room Conference “to be inspired and sent forth to proclaim Jesus in their homes and communities,” said director Eric Chow.
They heard keynote speakers talk about growing in personal faith and spreading the Gospel as part of the Proclaim movement, an evangelism initiative launched by the Archdiocese of Vancouver. That initiative empowered local Catholics to open faith study groups across the archdiocese based on strong personal conviction and using the tools of Alpha or Discovery to reach their family and friends.
“This year we’re doing it again, but our gathering will look different,” said Chow.
Due to the pandemic and restrictions on large gatherings, the Sept. 19 conference will be held online, but Chow said the event will still be an experience.
For starters, 11 parishes in Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, Surrey, and Vancouver will host in-person livestream events for up to 500 registered guests. These host events include a conference swag bag and refreshments.
For everyone else access to the conference will be virtual and from home, with access to digital and physical resources.
Because it’s online, registration is virtually limitless and available to Catholics all over Canada. Registrations have already been received from as far as Victoria, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Montreal, and Halifax.
“The experience may be different, but the goal remains the same: gather and send disciples to proclaim Jesus in their homes and communities,” said Chow.
Keynote speakers and special guests this year include author and scripture professor Dr. Mary Healy, Detroit priest Father John Riccardo, award-winning music artist Matt Maher, and young adult outreach minister Pete Burak.
Speakers will appear in pre-recorded messages in front of Vancouver landmarks, on basketball courts or university campuses, and other alternatives to their home offices.
Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, will kick off the conference Sept. 19. In a tweet, he said the conference and Proclaim movement were launched “in the hope of promoting a new missionary impulse reaching out to the Lower Mainland with the power of the Gospel.”
For more information about the hybrid event or to register visit upperroomvancouver.com. Registration for in-person parish events is open until noon Sept. 16.
