Sobriety and Spirit: Join Us.
I met Seth Haines last year, a happy coincidence of one writer meeting another one through mutual friends. I heard that Seth had written a book about the first 90 days of his sobriety, and that he was one of those writers: the kind that gently draws you in with evocative stories and irresistible, descriptive prose. So I bought his book, Coming Clean: A Story of Faith, and immediately fell in love with Seth's honesty, hope, and raw hunger for God. These are some of the words I read:
Amber and I were in the hospital, planning funeral songs for Titus, our youngest son, when I made a conscious decision: that was the last day I would feel. I called my sister, asked her to smuggle in a bottle of gin, and gave in to anesthetizing my pain. Whether or not you’ve ever had a drop to drink, haven’t you looked for ways to cope with pain? Haven’t you sought balms for the anxiety of what sometimes seems to be an absent, unresponsive God? Haven’t you turned to people-pleasing, shopping, the internet, food, career highs, or even good works and elite theology? Haven’t you attempted to anesthetize your anxiety through addiction—any old addiction? Do you still? In my debut book Coming Clean: A Story of Faith (Zondervan 2015), I write a raw account of my first 90 days of sobriety, illuminating the ways in which I faced my own pain. It’s a narrative of rediscovery, of finding an abiding God in darker hours of life. It’s a journey through pain, through the passion of Christ, and into wholeness. Would you join me in the Coming Clean?
See what I mean?So Seth and I had a couple of conversations, and I began to think about all of the addictions in my own life, about the many things I'm drunk on. I interviewed Seth on my podcast, and the response was immediate: people were grateful for Seth's voice on sobriety and addiction, but they wanted more.So we decided to open up the conversation. We wanted to make it longer, and in person. We wanted to be face to face, listening and learning together about sobriety and addiction. We wanted to find God together, leaving pretense and posturing at the door. We wanted to convene a group of honest, broken people desperate for God and for wholeness. So I invited Seth to come to Minneapolis this summer, to spend more time with me, and with you.And so Sobriety and Spirit was born: a one day gathering on June 25, 2016, for people desperate for God and hungry for wholeness.Sobriety and Spirit is for anyone who wants to enter into an honest conversation about addiction, sobriety, grace, and spirituality. It is for those of us who are addicted - to chemicals, to approval, to obtaining the perfect body, to performance, to sex, or to anything else. It's also for those who love addicts like us. We hope you'll join us, no matter where you are at on your journey. We hope you'll leave with hope, and with some new friends who are fellow travelers on a similar journey.
Register now.
Where is the event being held?Sobriety and Spirit will be held at the gorgeous Awaken Community church building in St. Paul (506 View Street, St. Paul, Minnesota).
How much does it cost?The entire day costs $39, which does not include lunch.
What if I can’t afford the full price?Pay what you can. Honestly. We want you there. Just pay what you can afford on the registration page.
Where can I find Matt Moberg's music?You'll be able to purchase Matt's CDs at the event, but we encourage you to head over to iTunes and buy some NOW.
What if I want to anonymously help others who can’t afford the full price?Feel free to pay a little more! You can pay whatever amount you want when you register. Thank you!
What are the times of the sessions?9am - 3pm with a break at noon for lunch.
Where do we eat?There are a number of great restaurants within 2 miles of Awaken. We recommend having tacos at Tavial just around the corner. Or, there is a virtual cornucopia of restaurants in St. Paul on W. 7th street about a mile away.
What’s the nearest airport?MSP is 15 minutes from the event.
What if we sign up but can’t make it?You can get a full refund up to one week before the event.
Will we get time to talk with Steve and Seth personally?Yep. That's why we're doing this event. We want to talk, to listen, and to know each other.
I'm coming from out of town. Where should I stay?We recommend Best Western Capitol Ridge, Holiday Inn St. Paul Downtown, or the Covington Inn (B&B).
Will Seth be preaching anywhere on Sunday in the Twin Cities?Yep. Seth will preach at Genesis Covenant Church in the morning and The Table at CPC in the evening on Sunday, June 26th.
Where can I buy Seth's Book?You can buy Seth's book Coming Clean at the event, or on Amazon. You can also buy Steve's book, Beginnings, at the event, or on Amazon.
Who do I contact with other questions? Please contact Catie at caties@genesiscov.org.