Join us in the Warren Wilson College Chapel from 1-8 p.m. on June 16 for a forum on climate change and faith, sponsored by the Food, Faith, and Religious Leadership Initiative at Wake Forest U. School of Divinity, WNC Green Congregations, Western North Carolina Alliance, N.C. Interfaith Power & Light, and host congregation Warren Wilson Presbyterian Church.
Given the realities of climate change, what unique role can faith communities play in North Carolina? In this half-day workshop, we’ll learn from local and national leaders about a wide array of topics related to faith and climate.
This solutions-oriented gathering will explore not only what challenges we face with climate change, but also the unique role faith communities can play in finding creative solutions.
Tired of another guilt-tripping environmental workshop that bums you out and leaves you feeling overwhelmed? This one is different.
We’ll focus on theological reflection, ecological resilience, and that much-neglected biblical virtue of hope. Our evening keynote will be given by biblical scholar and activist Ched Myers.
This forum is free, however, you must register in advance. (Click here to register.)
Note: If you register for the five-day Sabbath Economics and Watershed Discipleship course, you’ll automatically be registered for the forum on June 16.
Tentative Schedule:
1 – 1:30 p.m. Welcome
1:30 – 4 p.m. Workshops (2 tracks, 1 hour each)*
4 – 5:30 p.m. Outings: We will offer three options:
Forest Garden Tour at Warren Wilson’s Permaculture Garden
Birding Walk Along the River
Prayer Labyrinth Walk
5:30 – 7 p.m. Dinner/Fellowship (local BBQ and vegetarian options)
7 – 8 p.m. Keynote with Ched Myers (open to the public)
*We’ll feature two workshop sessions with three offerings each time. Subjects are:
• Climate Change 101 (including regional impacts
• Climate Change, Scripture, & Theology (including justice emphasis)
• Climate Change – Hope, Solutions, & Action
• Climate Change, Food, and Faith
• Climate Change and Congregational Life
• Being a Good Witness: Climate Change Advocacy
If you want to go deeper into these issues, we encourage you to sign up for the course linked to this forum, from June 17-20 with Ched Myers and others in Swannanoa. “Sabbath Economics and Watershed Discipleship” will combine classroom learning, worship, eating together, and hands-on learning. Morning sessions will be led by renowned biblical scholar and activist Ched Myers, who will focus on “watershed discipleship” as a guiding metaphor and theological frame of reference. Afternoons will feature outdoor experiential education in local food gardens. Each day will be bookended with a short service of Psalms, music, and silent prayer (Lauds and Vespers) as a contemplative frame to begin and end our days together. Find out more.