Reserve Housemoot tickets to plan a gathering in your own community during the weekend of Hutchmoot.

Welcome to Hutchmoot

THE RABBIT ROOM'S IN-PERSON CONFERENCE |
OCTOBER 10-13

On October 10-13, the Rabbit Room will convene Hutchmoot 2024 at Christ Community Church in Franklin, Tennessee.

Hutchmoot is one of the many expressions of the Rabbit Room’s mission to cultivate and curate story, music, and art to nourish Christ-centered communities for the life of the world.

At Hutchmoot—now in its fifteenth year—over 400 attendees, speakers, and staff gather for three days of expertly curated sessions, concerts, artistic exchange, delicious food, and memorable conversations on art, faith, and the compelling beauty of the kingdom of God.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Katherine Paterson

Author of Bridge to Terabithia, Jacob Have I Loved, and more than 40 other books.

Join the Hutchmoot Waitlist

Hutchmoot 2024 is sold out, but tickets for Housemoot are still available.

WORDS OF BEFUDDLEMENT

"Moot" {müt}

verb

To gather for the purposes of connection, encouragement, sharing of creative work, or edifying tomfoolery.

noun

An assembly, a conclave, and a mustering of the folk of the Rabbit Room. Ents welcome.

Session Lineup

The wide range of sessions is part of what makes Hutchmoot so special. Below, you'll find the lineup for Hutchmoot 2024.

To whet your appetite until Hutchmoot starts, sessions from previous Hutchmoots are available for purchase in the Rabbit Room store.

A Re-Enchanted World—Jonathan Rogers

The philosopher Charles Taylor draws a distinction between the “porous self,” open and vulnerable to an enchanted universe, and the “buffered self,” inward and insulated, more or less impervious to transcendence (though still longing for it). As 21st-century Westerners, we default to the buffered self, whatever our faith commitments. In this session, we will examine some ways that art and creative work break through our buffers and “re-enchant” the world by making us more open to transcendence.
It Is Not Finished: Miyazaki and the Crushing Weight of Beauty—Aeden Peterson, Daniel Haycox

Hayao Miyazaki is a living legend of the animation world. Named the “Walt Disney of Japan,” he’s made over a dozen films, many of which are considered masterpieces. But what did he sacrifice in pursuit of cinematic perfection? His most recent Oscar-winning film, The Boy and the Heron, in addition to showcasing the hallmarks of a Miyazaki movie, might also serve as a Rosetta Stone for interpreting a complex man and his relationship with his (un)finished body of work.
Untitled: The Importance of Naming Things—Ned (and Leslie, posthumously) Bustard

Ned will draw from Leslie’s writings in her recent book Tiny Thoughts That I’ve Been Thinking, his book with Stephen Roach called Naming the Animals, and a lifetime of obsessive naming of things to consider why naming matters and why we should invest our time and creativity into not leaving any of our work "untitled."
Lessons and Stories from Lewis’ Oxford—Sally Clarkson

Oxford is brimming with stories and rousing conversations that shaped the works of people like C.S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien. For the last 4 1/2 years, Sally Clarkson has immersed herself in these stories and historical moments while living there and working with people from all over the world. She will share anecdotes from Lewis and wisdom gathered from experiences in Oxford, drawing from her newest book, Well Lived, a photographic journal of Oxford.
The Father of Delights: Art-making and the Discipline of Delight—Andrew Peterson

Description TBD
A New Look at the Remarkable Fellowship of Lewis and Tolkien - "The Mythmakers"—John Hendrix

Where do myths come from? For many, the friendship between C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien is a familiar story, but a new book explores the braid of complexity woven throughout their 40-year friendship with a new lens. John Hendrix presents the major themes from his new graphic novel The Mythmakers. This lecture will illuminate the history of mythology, the purpose of story, and the rich value of an artistic community.
For the Ones Who Don't Know Why They're Here—Carolyn Givens, Bailey McGee, John Barber

Are you secretly worried everyone will find out you don’t belong here? Did you come along with a friend, but “creative” is never a word you’d use to describe yourself? This session is for all the souls who have found themselves here without knowing why. Bailey McGee, John Barber, and Carolyn Givens will have a conversation about all the reasons why you belong—even if you don’t believe it yet—and share some ways you might find your place in this community and beyond.
Writing Is a Work of Heart—Clay Clarkson

A conversational exploration of seven "writeabilities,” qualities for cultivating a heartfelt life as a Christian writer. Becoming the proverbial "good writer" is about much more than just hard work; it’s also about heart work. We’ll chinwag about calling versus stewardship, owning your life as a Christian writer, discovering your “YouStory,” and releasing your voice. Stories, insights, slides, and practical wisdom drawn from 30 years of thinking and writing about the heart for Whole Heart Ministries.
Storms, Floods, and the Biblical Imagination—Jez Carr

God reveals himself in deeply imaginative ways in the Scriptures; faithful interpretation requires people fluent in the imagination and willing to delve into the Bible’s imaginative contexts. This seminar will take ‘watery chaos’ as a case study: the Scriptures are awash with it (creation, Noah, Exodus, Jonah, Psalms, Jesus stilling storms, Revelation, baptism etc). We will explore cultural associations with divine battles, dragons and death, considering how the imagery feeds our souls within the battles of life.
Writing Like a Painter: A Cross-disciplinary Exploration of the Fluidity of Creativity—Kyra Hinton, Jamin Still

Kyra Hinton and Jamin Still are known visual artists in the Rabbit Room community, but recently have both published novels. In this cross-disciplinary session, they discuss how their established art practices have shaped this “new” branch of their creative work. The conversation invites questions about the impact of artistic inspiration on creating in any medium.
Making Art in the Margins of Life—Cathy McKeon, Donna Shaw, Gina Sutphin, and Bailey McGee

Are you living with the tension of feeling a creative calling but finding little time to create? Join us for a conversation about making art in the margins of life, why we do it, and why it’s important. We’ll discuss finding joy and strength to pursue our passion to create wherever we find ourselves. We hope to share the courage to press on towards creative vocations, even when they feel elusive and shadowed by life’s other demands.
Owning Your Artistry—Rachel Wilhelm, Janna Barber, John Thompson, Karin Simmons

Do you write, sing, play music, paint, sculpt, dance, etc., but you're afraid to say you're an artist? You are not alone! Hear from panelists who have struggled themselves with owning their artistry and still struggle sometimes. Bring questions and expect diverse answers, knowing we are in this together, figuring this thing out called artistry.
The Practice of Devotion: How Devotional Songs and Poetry Enrich Our Spiritual Lives—Jon Guerra

The quality of corporate worship transcends music, instruments, and lyrics. It is a spiritual dimension measured only by God, linked to our personal intimacy with Him. Devotional songs and poetry, like the Psalms, are meant to shape and enrich our hearts. Just as "with the same mouth comes blessing and cursing,” a regular engagement with devotional content between Sundays can profoundly enhance the quality of our worship when we gather together.
Poems as Friends—Abram Van Engen, Katy Hutson

The typical expression of opening Friendship,” C.S. Lewis once wrote, “would be something like, ‘What? You too? I thought I was the only one.’” That also describes the typical entrance into poetry: a surprising discovery of shared loves. But if we approach poetry as friendship, it changes the way we read. This session will explore that idea with poems that have befriended us along the way.
Feasting on Friendship: The Table as Art and Sacrament—Jennifer Trafton, Lanier Ivester

A discussion of sacramental living, particularly as it pertains to the table: its significance as a place where relationships are nourished as well as bodies, and as a lesser, daily sacrament that shepherds us weekly towards the Lord’s Table. Exploring the howpitality can be born out of a shared sense of pilgrimage, we will reflect on how both our art and our friendship have flourished around tables of our lives.
In Case of Emergency, Make Art—Sophie Killingley

Church and culture often tell us that art is a nice luxury but of no use when a crisis hits or for the chronic difficulties of life. But what if art is actually a divinely gifted set of tools, a way to bear witness to our shared humanity? Sophie takes you through stories of art history and her own experiences of grief to uncover the necessity of creativity as a sacred way to fully engage a trauma-filled world.
Making the Invisible Visible: The Practice of Engaging the Character of God Revealed in Creation Through Art—Sarah Spradlin, Joshua Brindle

Description TBD
Mercies in the Dark: Navigating Doubt as an Artist of Faith—Zack & Jessica Eswine

What does an artist of faith do with the doubts they experience within or the faith barriers of those who engage with their art? By looking to Jesus as our wisdom and drawing upon the deep well of doubting artists of faith who've preceded us, we learn to embrace doubt as part of the grace—materials God provides for our creativity, and we discover a more hopeful way of being.
Creating an Arts Community—Titania Page, Laura Love

When Titania opened her home for faith and arts gatherings, she found an unexpected new family. Join her and poet Laura Love from the Lamp Burners Guild as they share their journey of connection, creativity, and deep friendship. Learn practical steps to create your own space for artists to thrive, and discover how community can bloom where it's planted. You might already have everything you need to make it happen!
How To Make a TV Series in Six Days (and Still Have Friends)—Michael J. Tinker

Join Michael to watch an episode of his kids TV series Adventures of the Juniper followed by a wide ranging discussion on writing Christian comedy for children that has theological depth, the dangers and benefits of filming (or creating anything!) in a short space of time, the pitfalls of working with puppets and chocolate cake, how to avoid 'Christian Cringe' and more.
Extinguishing Burnout: Wrestling with Art in the Chaos of Life—Breezy Brookshire, Will Kelly, Caleb Christopher Edwards

Three artists tell their stories of facing one of the modern artist’s biggest challenges and invite you into a conversation about what it looks like to manage relationships, parenthood, responsibilities, and community while finding balance in a creative calling in the modern age.
Grief, Hope, and Poetry—Janna Barber, Dawn Morrow, Adam Whipple

Today’s culture of relentless positivity tends to suppress grief and invalidate loss, but the Bible invites us to be more fully human by providing examples of writers and prophets who lament pain and even meditate on sorrow. In this session, poets Janna Barber, Dawn Morrow, and Adam Whipple will share their favorite poems that demonstrate this process. Then they’ll invite participants to develop their own practices of lament, in order to cultivate hope through writing.
Community in the Ones and Zeroes—John Barber, April Johns, Rebecca Reynolds, Ariaun Loveday

Social media is a powerful tool often fraught with negativity, and the idea of "digital community" just feels like an oxymoron. Is it possible to form meaningful connections with people and encourage artistic creativity online? Come join the moderators of the Rabbit Room Chinwag as they discuss ways in which we can intentionally build thriving communities in digital spaces that foster authentic relationships and artistic flourishing.
Rich Mullins: Never Picture Perfect—Andrew Peterson, Santosh John, Mark Geil, Jill Phillips

Thirty-five years ago, Rich Mullins released his fourth album, Never Picture Perfect. It’s an “in-between” record, released right after “the album with Awesome God on it” and right before his two-volume opus The World as Best as I Remember It. For many, its songs helped shape their faith journey, and they still resonate today. With music by Andrew Peterson and friends, in this session, we’ll talk about what makes these songs so foundational to our stories and why they continue to endure.
Does God Care How Wide a Road Is? Placemaking as Culture Making—John Pattison, Sarah Joy Proppe

We shape our cities; then they shape us. But how should Christians think theologically about the built environment? In this session, we discuss how making cities more walkable and bikeable, more livable and inviting, doesn’t just solve technical problems — it makes new culture, work too meaningful to be left only to urban design professionals. We will also highlight faith communities around North America who are taking the lead in building better neighborhoods for human flourishing.
Dignity of Risk: Finding Love in “the Making”—Joe Sutphin, Sarah Clarkson

What is an amateur, and why would we see our God and Creator as such? That answer might be found in the love and wonder found in the making of a thing. And if we fall out of love with the making, can we return to the heart of the amateur? While artistic expression lends to a sense of individuality, artistic risk can provide a sense of agency - dignity. What does it mean to find dignity in risk? How could one feel dignified when things don’t go as planned, and is the death of Risk the death of Wonder?
Tales of the New Creation II—Pete Peterson & Jennifer Trafton

Description TBD
Artemisia Gentileschi and Inhabiting a Discipline in an Unjust World—Russ Ramsey

Description TBD
Writing in the Margins: Balancing Motherhood and Creative Pursuits—Carolyn Leiloglou, Robyn Wall, Summer Rachel Short

Motherhood brings unique joys and challenges to creative endeavors. Using Madeleine L’Engle’s writing about art and life as a launching point, three traditionally published children’s authors will discuss how they’re learning to honor the gifts and limitations that come with creating in the margins.

The 2024 Hutchmoot Poster

Scenes from Hutchmoots of Yore

Hutchmoot 2024 Sponsors

FAQ

What is the best way to increase my chances of getting Hutchmoot tickets?

Tickets for Hutchmoot sell out in only a few minutes, so a little legwork in advance on your end can ensure you have the best chance of getting tickets. First, make sure your account with Universe.com is updated and ready to go. Universe is the ticketing platform for Hutchmoot and Housemoot and you'll have to make an account in order to complete the purchase.

Secondly, make sure you are ready the minute tickets go on sale on March 15 at 10:00 a.m. (Central Time Zone) and on March 16 at 10:00 a.m. (Central Time Zone). Half the tickets are available during each of the blocks on 3/15 & 3/16, so if you miss your chance on the 15th, you'll have another chance the next morning.

Lastly, save your credit card information in your browser so that it auto-fills any forms you need to complete before purchase.

As a side note, if you do miss out on Hutchmoot tickets this year, you can always buy a ticket for Housemoot and put together a local gathering of your own.

Best of luck!

When will you release the conference sessions and speakers?

We are working hard to confirm speakers and will be doing so until late summer. Sessions will be posted as they are scheduled. The best way to stay up-to-date on this and all Rabbit Room happenings is to sign up for our weekly newsletter.

How can I propose a session for Hutchmoot or Housemoot?

Each year we receive more submissions for Hutchmoot and Housemoot sessions than is possible to program. While this makes our job of selecting and scheduling sessions hard, it should not discourage you from presenting a session proposal. You have a great idea and we want to hear about it.

Use this Session Proposal Form to tell us about the session you'd like to bring to Hutchmoot or Housemoot.

Can I volunteer for Hutchmoot?

Yes! Our volunteers are extraordinary. Email volunteer@rabbitroom.com if you’re interested.

Where can I find sessions from previous Hutchmoots?

You can listen to the Hutchmoot podcast for a sample of previous lectures or grab them all in the Rabbit Room Store.

Do you have any lodging recommendations in the area?

There are a wide variety of options for lodging in the Franklin area. Listed below are two options we believe will work well for attendees.

Comfort Inn & Suites

7120 S Springs Dr.

Franklin, TN 37067

11 minutes (4.7 mi) from Hutchmoot

Hampton Inn & Suites
7141 S Springs Dr.
Franklin, TN 37067
11 minutes (4.7 mi) from Hutchmoot

What is the refund policy for tickets to Hutchmoot?

While it is our sincerest hope and desire that those who initially purchase Hutchmoot tickets are able to attend the event in October, we do understand that unforeseen circumstances sometimes occur and ticket holders are unable to attend in spite of their best intentions. As in previous years, ticket transfers will be available through the Universe platform for those who personally know someone who can use their ticket. For those who do not, the Rabbit Room is requesting that ticket holders return the ticket via Universe so that it can be distributed to someone on the event waitlist. (Online ticket resale through platforms like Facebook groups will not be approved this year.) Accordingly, the following refund policy will be in place for Hutchmoot 2024 tickets:

Tickets returned 30 days or more before the event (by Sept 10th) will be issued a full refund of the ticket price (less fees) to the original purchaser of the ticket.
Beginning Sept 11th, ticket refunds can still be requested but are not guaranteed. Requests will be reviewed and approved/declined, either in part or in full, on a case-by-case basis.

If you become unable to use your ticket, please return it as soon as possible to provide others with the earliest possible opportunity to claim a ticket and make their travel plans.

Is there a waitlist for Hutchmoot?

THE WAITLIST PROCESS HAS CHANGED AS OF 06/10/2024

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, the Universe waitlist that we originally intended to use is not able to function in the ways that we needed. For this reason, the Rabbit Room is opting to create an internally-managed waitlist that will be used to provide notification when resale tickets become available. For those unable to purchase a ticket during the regular ticket sales period, feel free to fill out the 2024 Hutchmoot Waitlist Form to add your name to the list. All waitlisters will be notified by the Rabbit Room (via Mailchimp) when resale tickets become available; and available tickets can be purchased on a first come, first served basis.

Those who signed up for the waitlist via Universe will need to resubmit their information via the form link provided here in order to receive ticket notifications going forward. Unfortunately, Universe waitlist information was NOT able to be transferred.

PLEASE NOTE: Waitlist notifications will now be sent directly from the Rabbit Room, but Universe remains the exclusive purchasing platform for Hutchmoot tickets. Waitlist notifications will provide an access key and direct you to purchase through the Universe platform. Be aware that messages, links, or purchase offers from any other source are likely a scam. If you have any questions or concerns regarding ticket sales or the waitlist, please email hutchmoot@rabbitroom.com.

Are children allowed at Hutchmoot?

Hutchmoot is a conference designed for adults, yet also appropriate for thoughtful young people. Please note, due to seating limitations, each attendee, including the thoughtful young ones, will need a ticket for the event.

Unfortunately, we do not allow young children and infants to attend. We understand this policy is a disappointment for some families and we are grateful for your understanding. Please reach out to hutchmoot@rabbitroom.com if you have questions.

What food options are available for those with special dietary needs?

Our team provides tasty options for those with vegetarian and gluten-free needs. We do our best to accommodate everyone's needs, but if you have complex food requirements, please consider making other arrangements. If you have specific questions or concerns, please email food@rabbitroom.com.

What are the start and end times for Hutchmoot so I can plan my travel accordingly?

Arrival: Hutchmoot check-in begins at 3:30 pm on Thursday, with doors opening for the welcome gathering starting at 5:00 pm. We encourage participants, whenever possible, to arrive at the venue within the first hour of registration so that they have time to get the lay of the land and get settled in without feeling rushed. We will also have our art gallery and bookstore open during this time, so there will be plenty to see and do once you've checked in.

Departure: Attendees are invited to attend worship with a local congregation of their choice on Sunday morning and then join us for the closing plenary session from 2:00 pm to approximately 4:30 pm on Sunday afternoon.

THE RABBIT ROOM'S IN-PERSON CONFERENCE | OCTOBER 10-13