A regional conference presented by the Eco-Justice Program of the National Council of Churches and Eco-Justice Ministries November 4-5, 2005 Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church 1980 Dahlia St, Denver, Colorado

Conference Goals   |   Registration Information   |   Agenda

New E-Z Registration: Just e-mail Eco-Justice Ministries with your name and phone number, and we'll get back to you for the rest of the information! Registration is only $25 through November 1, and $35 after that.

In one of the creation stories at the start of the book of Genesis, God calls on the newly-formed human to tend the garden. That expression of the human role in the world is often named by people of faith who hear the continuing call for environmental stewardship. That call applies in a special way when we set out to cultivate the commons, to care for those parts of the Earth in which we all share ownership and responsibility -- the atmosphere, the oceans, and public lands. National and global leaders in the religious environmental movement are coming to the Rocky Mountains to inspire and train members of the faith community in this region. Two specific issues will be highlighted – stewardship of public lands (a matter of special concern in this part of the United States) and global climate change. The strategies for congregational programming and political advocacy that will be presented are also pertinent in addressing other issues. Tending the Garden, Cultivating the Commons is an exciting opportunity for people of faith in the Rocky Mountain region to gather in community, and to be inspired caring for God's earth.
This weekend conference will inform and empower participants for both individual and congregational work by: developing general theological and ethical perspectives about our responsibility in caring for the commons providing in-depth information about global climate change and public lands providing training in strategies for advocacy and action providing training and resources for congregational programming developing a network of committed people within the Rocky Mountain region for ongoing resources and encouragement				Leadership for the conference will include: David G. Hallman, climate change coordinator for the World Council of Churches Frederick Gaiser, professor of Old Testament at Luther Theological Seminary (St. Paul, Minnesota) Cassandra Carmichael and Christine Hoekenga, the Eco-Justice Program of the National Council of Churches. Peter Sawtell, Eco-Justice Ministries Dana Wilbanks, emeritus professor of social ethics, Iliff School of Theology John Hill, national staff of the United Methodist Church regional experts from several major environmental agencies

Registration information: The Friday evening presentation by David Hallman, climate change coordinator of the World Council of Churches, is open to the community. Donations will be accepted. Registration is required for the Saturday program. The pre-registration fee of $25 includes continental breakfast, lunch, and light snacks. After November 1, the conference fees increase to $35. Please print a copy of the registration form [PDF, with agenda - 225 Kb] [HTML - plain text] and mail it to Christine Hoekenga at the National Council of Churches. The mailing address is on the form.

Agenda

Friday, November 4, 2005
7:00 pm	Reception and Theological Plenary: Climate Change and the Commons Keynote presenter: David G. Hallman, climate change coordinator, World Council of Churches NOTE: This session is open to the public, without registration.
Saturday, November 5, 2005
8:45 am	Registration
9:15 am	Welcome and worship
9:30 am	Theological Plenary: Public Lands and the Commons Keynote presenter: Frederick Gaiser, professor of Old Testament at Luther Theological Seminary (St. Paul, Minnesota)
10:30 am	Break
10:45 am	Workshops - issues in the commons A: Lands and Energy Panel B: Climate Change Panel
12:00 noon	Lunch
1:15 pm	Workshops - congregational programming A: Preaching on the Environment B: Developing Educational Programs and Forums
2:30 pm	Break
2:45 pm	Workshops - strategies for advocacy A: Advocacy 101 B: Outreach & Recruiting
4:00 pm	Closing Plenary and Prayer

Please join us for this exciting conference,
and spread the word to your friends and colleagues!