Opera in Conversation | The Loss of Innocence

Opera in Conversation is a series of three sessions surrounding Opera Omaha mainstage productions that features creatives, scholars, and other public figures.

These FREE events exist to foster cross-disciplinary exploration of art, big questions, and community connections.

Join Opera Omaha on Tuesday, Jan. 20 at the Joslyn Castle for our second Susannah Opera in Conversation.

In partnership with Urban Abbey, join us for a conversation about how the themes of Susannah: religious community, group think, and patriarchal traditions, are relevant in our community today.

Speaker, Rev. Debra McKnight, Founding Pastor, Urban Abbey

Admission is FREE, advance registration is requested.

Rev. Debra is passionate about connecting with the people and helping them grow in their faith. An advocate for social justice, women’s rights, and the LGBTQ+ community, she seeks to heal the wounds created by conservative Christianity. Her vivacious, warm personality fuels her ability to influence people in positive and healthy ways.

Before attending seminary, Rev. Debra lived and worked in Germany as an education counselor for active duty military personnel. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska, a Master of Education degree from Doane College, and in 2008 she received a Master of Divinity degree from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University.

While serving as an Associate Pastor at First United Methodist Church of Omaha, Rev. Debra created a spiritual gathering for young adults called Wesley Pub. Participants brought beverages of their choice and discussed spirituality, social justice, and more. Wesley Pub was so successful, she decided to expand the gatherings into a venue for all ages … and the idea for the Urban Abbey coffee shop/bookstore/church was born.

Since 2011, Urban Abbey has been offering a safe space for the community to connect with and learn from one another. During an era in which attendance at mainline protestant churches in the United States has declined, Urban Abbey has succeeded as a new church and is continually growing.

In 2020, Rev. Debra founded the Urban Abbot, an organization dedicated to helping pastors along their spiritual journey or who are interested in planting a new church.

Thank you to our partners:

Media Notification: Photography and Video will be captured at this event. By attending, you agree to allow Opera Omaha to use your image in social, archival, and promotional materials.

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