Great Rochester Chesterton Conference

The local G. K Chesterton Society sponsored their 12th annual Chesterton Conference today.

The theme was "More than Magic," and the speakers were Dale Ahlquist, the President of the American Chesterton Society; Kevin O'Brien, of Theater of the Word Incorporated; Joseph Pearce, a prolific author; and James Warren, a professional magician.

The "magic" they addressed was of fairy stories as truth as explored by Chesterton in the "Ethics of Elfland" from Orthodoxy.

Ahlquist spoke about "A Citizen of Fairyand." O'Brien spoke as J.R.R.R. Tolkien "On Fairy Stories." Pearce talked about Chesterton's influence on Tolkien and C.S. Lewis and their ideas about faith and fairy tales. Finally, Warren performed some magic, and addressed the subject of "A Magician in Elfland."

Great time. Good talks and performances. Good people in the audience, leading to some wonderful conversations.

And O'Brien tipped me off about a possible Santa gig next year! Amazing.  

Pax et bonum