wfn.org | "Tuesdays with Morrie" Author to Open Religion Communication Congress

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

> Mitch Albom will speak at RCCongress 2010

> October 22, 2009

> Mitch Albom

CHICAGO?Best-selling "Tuesdays with Morrie" author Mitch
Albom will speak at the opening banquet of Religion Communication
Congress 2010 next April 7-10 at the Chicago Marriott.

Albom's new book, "Have A Little Faith", debuted in the No. 1 spot on
the Oct. 16 New York Times nonfiction best-sellers list. The book
describes his own journey of faith, influenced by a Jewish rabbi and a
Christian pastor. Albom will speak at the Congress on April 7, 2010.

The inspirational novelist and dedicated sports writer will address an
audience of more than 1,000 communication professionals from a variety
of faith backgrounds at the once-a-decade event. Participants include
local congregational leaders, national and international religion
correspondents, webmasters, bloggers, professors and students.

"Faith should be a subject that unites us, not divides us," said Albom.

"We are delighted to have Mitch join our line-up of interfaith
communicators," said Shirley Struchen, executive director of the
event. "His wonderfully dynamic religious background personifies this
year's theme of 'Embracing Change.'"

The four day conference is a unique time of fellowship, networking and
instruction for many of today's faith-based communicators.  In past
decades it has drawn more than 1,000 participants.

Now it its fourth decade the Congress will hold to its tradition of
discerning information about conventional media, while looking
ahead at what's in-store for current and rising media professionals.

Among other RCCongress speakers are:  Diana Eck, founder of Harvard
University's pluralism project; columnist and distinguished authority
on American religion, Martin Marty; Ingrid Mattson, first female
president of the Islamic Society of North America; Otis Moss III,
pastor of Chicago Trinity Church; musician, composer and storyteller
Ken Medema, and Barbara Bradley Hagerty, National Public Radio's
religion correspondent.

Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC), the movement that teaches young leaders
to look beyond diversity and build relationships of mutual respect and
shared values will be at the closing banquet.

A pre-congress seminar, 'Global Media, Global Religion: Research in
Popular Media and the Remaking of Religions' will be led by Stewart
Hoover and Nabil Echchaibi, from the Center for Media, Religion and
Culture, University of Colorado at Boulder.

"Today's religious communicators boast new opportunities and
challenges," said Struchen. "The speakers at RCCongress are experts in
the use of modern technology, like social media and blogging."

RCCongress 2010 will be held from April 7-10 in Chicago. To register
or get more information, visit www.RCCongress2010.org

? Once again, Mitch Albom has given us a heart-warming true story,
about the power of love to triumph over death, and the power of faith
to guide us through the worst adversity. ?

- Rabbi Harold Kushner, author of "When Bad Things Happen to Good People"

> Religion Communication Congress

Voice: 212-870-2985, Fax: 212-870-2171, info@rccongress2010.org

> http://www.rccongress2010.org