Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/722202
NEWS NOTES Coca-Cola Consolidated has teamed up with the Emmy- winning Christian music network K-LOVE for the 2016 K- LOVE Fan Awards, serving as presenting sponsor for the only fan-voted experience in the industry. Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Matthew West will host the event live from the Grand Ole Opry House on June 5, 2016. Britt Nicole, Big Daddy Weave, Crowder and Jeremy Camp will kickoff the one-of-a- kind fan experience on Friday, June 3 with a special concert live from Nashville, TN. For more information, call (615) 591-7989. The Association for the Sociology of Religion (ASR) will host its 78th Annual Meeting themed "Exploring Diversity: Varieties of Religion and Non-Religion" on August 19 – 21, 2016 at the Renaissance Seattle Hotel in Seattle, WA. The program theme focuses on the intersections of religion and non-religion. The increase in those who identify as nonreligious on reli- gious identity surveys may indicate a new normal in the reli- gious landscape in many countries. The meeting will explore issues such as the role of religion in politics, education and healthcare; is religious identity changing; and what it means to be religious in this context. ASR is an international scholarly association that seeks to advance theory and research in the sociology of religion. ASR encourages and communicates research that ranges widely across the multiple themes and approaches in the study of religion. In addition, the association helps to share members' interests with sociologists in other associations and scholars of religion in other disciplines. For more information, contact Ryan Cragun at ryantcra- gun@gmail.com. WORDS & DEEDS The gospel-recording group Need to Breathe brought together celebrity athletes and musicians for its fourth annual charity golf tournament at South Carolina's Daniel Island Country Club on March 21, 2016. The "Need to Breathe Classic" raises money to benefit the Palmetto Medical Initiative (PMI), a Charleston, South Carolina-based non- profit organization which seeks to bring quality health care to developing countries around the world. This year's participants included NBA legend Rick Barry, PGA player Russell Henley, NFL wide receiver Adam Humphries, rock band Switchfoot, singer Mat Kearney, actor Kevin Sorbo and musicians Drew Holcomb and John Mark McMillan. The Grammy-nominated band raised more than $250,000 for PMI in 2015, largely from last year's fundraising tourna- ment. With fan support, the band has also funded the organi- zation's first clinic in Tola, Nicaragua. For more information, visit www.commonwealthcares.org. On April 10 – 16, 2016, thou- sands of people from Detroit, MI and the surrounding regions attended the "2016 7 Days of Faith Conference" hosted by Bishop Andrew and Pastor Viveca Merritt and the Straight Gate International Church. The conference theme was "Forces of Faith" and held at the Straight Gate International Church facilities in Detroit. The weeklong free conference featured keynote speakers Bishop Andrew Merritt, Dr. Bill Winston, Bishop Tudor Bismark, Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, and Bishop-Elect Marvin L. Winans. For more information, contact (313) 491-8430. CALENDAR OF EVENTS May 2-5, 2016, "Pastors and Elders Shepherds Conference," Church of God In Christ (COGIC), Lincolnshire Marriott Hotel, Lincolnshire, IL. Contact Superintendent Michael Eaddy at (773) 533-6877 for infor- mation. May 4-6, 2016, "Pastors & Church Leaders Conference – The Year of Expectation," Greater Grace Temple Ministries, Greater Grace Temple – City of David, Detroit, Mi. Contact Bishop Charles Ellis at (313) 543-6000 for information. May 5-8, 2016, "Atlanta North Georgia Annual Conference," African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church – Sixth Episcopal District, Bethel AME Church, Atlanta, GA. Contact Bishop Preston Williams at (770) 220-1770 for infor- mation. May 6-8, 2016, "Virginia Annual Conference," AME Church – Second Episcopal District, Marriott Hotel, Newport News, VA. Contact Bishop William Phillips DeVeaux, Sr. at (202) 842-3788 for information. May 10-14, 2016, "Holy Convocation 2016," Perfecting Covenant Prevailing Connection, Sheraton Orlando North, Maitland, FL. Contact Bishop Julia Wade at (407) 880-8898 for information. May 13, 2016, "6th Annual Global Empowerment Prayer Summit," Turning Point Faith Ministries, Westin Memorial City, Houston, TX. Contact Dr. Cassandra E. Scott at (713) 734-2222 for information. May 14, 2016, "Allstate Gospel Superfest 2016," Unity Media Limited – United Television, Coppin State University, Baltimore, MD. Contact Robert Cartwright at (800) 219-0337 for information. May 20-24, 2016, "The 199th Session of the Philadelphia Annual Conference," AME Church - First Episcopal District, B M & T ••• May/June 2016 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 14 R E L I G I O U S R E V I E W BY PATRICE A. KELLY