Extended Deadline for Early Registration is Friday, September 7th
In gratitude, we hold the earth in trust. In love and compassion, we seek to reflect God's love throughout Creation. As children of God, we work to create beauty, order, health, and peace for all creatures.
Join with people of faith across the nation and from all walks of life—pastors, educators, students, lay leaders, activists, and scientists—for this national eco-justice conference of Presbyterians for Restoring Creation. Through worship, workshops, plenaries, reflection groups, field trips and more we will explore our theme of just and sustainable food and energy sources for all of God’s Creation in a time of global climate change.
ONLINE REGISTRATION IS NOW AVAILABLE!!
Our online registration system works with the following web browsers: Internet Explorer, Safari version 3.0, and Firefox. If you are not able to use one of these browsers, please download and complete our paper registration form. If you are receiving financial aid to attend the conference, please note that if you want to use the online system, you will need to pay the full amount at the time of registration and be reimbursed for the amount of your scholarship, otherwise, please send a paper copy of your registration to Mo Ranch.If you encounter problems using the online registration system, please call 512.472.3903 or email brooke@texasimpact.org.
Some limited conference scholarships are available. Scholarship forms can be found online at www.prcweb.org.. Scholarship money will be awarded beginning August 15. The final deadline to receive applications is October 1. Thanks to the Presbyterian Hunger Program, partial to full scholarships are available for Stewardship of Creation Enablers. For more information go to www.prcweb.org.
UNIQUE OPPORTUNTIY FOR TEXAS PRESBYTERIANS
Texas Presbyterians have a unique opportunity to take a leadership role in the upcoming Presbyterians for Restoring Creation national conference at MoRanch. Texas Impact has agreed to help coordinate the conference, to be held October 25-28.
Presbyteries, local congregations, mission/outreach committees and other groups are invited to co-sponsor the conference. There are plenty of opportunities for volunteers, including volunteers interested in facilitating workshops and other learning experiences.
Conference Registration Packet (PDF format)
Congregational Co-Sponsorship Form
PROGRAM
PLENARY SPEAKERS
Catherine Keller
Keller is Professor of Constructive Theology in the Theological and Graduate Schools of Drew University. She teaches and writes across a wide range of contemporary theological and religious studies. Keller includes in her teaching methods feminist and gender studies; metaphorical, biblical, and literary readings; and practices of ecological and social justice.
Karl Rábago
Rábago is a world renowned renewable energy expert. He brings a wealth of experience in government, business, and not-for-profit environmental organizations in the areas of clean energy, environmental stewardship, and sustainable development. A former deputy assistant secretary at the US Department of Energy and a former Texas Public Utility Commissioner, Rábago currently serves as Director of Global Regulatory Affairs within the Global Business Transformation Group at The AES Corporation.
Anna Lappé
Lappé is a national bestselling author and public speaker on food politics, sustainable agriculture, globalization, and social change. Named one of Time Magazine’s 2006 Eco-Who’s Who, Anna has been featured in several publications including The New York Times, Gourmet, O Magazine, Food & Wine, and Vibe. With Frances Moore Lappé, Anna leads the Cambridge-based Small Planet Institute. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.
Ben Johnston-Krase
Associate Pastor for Campus and Young Adult Ministries at University Presbyterian Church in Austin, TX, Johnston-Krase will lead us in music at our conference. In addition to his constant music ministry with young adults, Johnston-Krase served as conference musician for the National Council of Churches’ Eco-Justice Program in June 2006.
WORKSHOPS
Workshops are Friday at 11am, 1:15pm, and 3pm and Saturday at 11am, 1:15pm, and 3pm. They are listed in order of these six time slots under each track. Sign up for one track or pick and choose as you desire! For updated workshop info, see www.prcweb.org as the conference approaches.
Track One: Bible, Theology, and Eco-Justice
1. Biblical Basis for Restoring Creation. John Gibbs, Stewardship of Creation Educator for Presbytery of the Northern Plains, author of journal articles, sermons, and a monograph on Creation and Redemption in Pauline Theology (1971).
2. Eco-Justice Theology. Catherine Keller, celebrated theologian, conference plenary speaker.
3. Experiential Education: Prayer Walk. Laura Elly Hudson, MDiv student at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. 4. Biblical Basis for Restoring Creation. John Gibbs (see workshop one).
5. Saying Grace: The Transformative Power And Theological Significance Of Table Prayer. Bill Greenway, Assoc. Prof. of Philosophical Theology at Austin Seminary, former PRC Vice Moderator.
6. Incorporating Eco-Justice in Worship. Renee Rico, PRC Coordinator.
Track Two: Faith and Food
1. Ethical and Eco-Justice Conversations: Faith, Food, and Fuel Panel. Fred Kirschenmann, Distinguished Fellow, Leopold Center, and Professor of Religion and Philosophy, Iowa Sate University; Jenny Holmes, Coordinator of Oregon Interfaith Global Warming Campaign, Stewardship of Creation Educator for Cascades Presbytery, and PRC Moderator.
2. Global Food Politics and Economics: Underlying Causes of Hunger. Andrew Kang Bartlett, PCUSA Associate for National Hunger Concerns (including “Food & Faith” and “Just Trade”).
3. Experiential Education: Visit A Local Organic Farm! Diane Waddell, Stewardship for Creation Educator for Heartland Presbytery. 4. Farmworkers, Migration, and Faith. TBA.
5. 2007 Farm Bill: Justice for Farmers, Farm Lands and Creation. Presbyterian Hunger Program.
6. Environmental Casualities of War. Amanda Craft, PCUSA Associate for Education and Advocacy, and Mark Koening, PCUSA Associate for Peacemaking Resources and Publications.
Track Three: Faith and Fuel
1. Ethical and Eco-Justice Conversations: Faith, Food, and Fuel Panel. (See Track 2, workshop 1).
2. Oil, Debt, and Global Warming. Kristin Sundell, M.Div., Congregations and Outreach Coordinator for Jubilee USA Network.
3. Experiential Education: Movie Viewing And Discussion. Kilowatt Ours.
4. Fossil Fuels in the World Council of Churches, Corporate America, and Federal Policy. Bill Somplatsky-Jarman, PCUSA Associate for Mission Responsibility Through Investment, and Leslie Woods, PCUSA Associate for Domestic Poverty and the Environment (Washington Office).
5. How Fuel Fuels War. Amanda Craft, Mark Koening (see Track 2, workshop 6).
6. Climate Change and its Impacts on the Poor. Andrew Kang Bartlett (see Track 2, workshop 2).
Track Four: The Facts
1. Global Warming 101. Colin Rowan, CEO, Rowan Communications and former communications leader for Environmental Defense.
2. Impacts on Creation from Industrial vs Sustainable Agriculture. Fred Kirschenmann (see Track 2, workshop 1).
3. Experiential Education: Carbon Footprint 101. Calculate your CO2 footprint and make an action plan to reduce! Interfaith Power and Light staff members.
4. Global Energy Perspectives. Karl Rábago, conference plenary speaker, global renewable energy expert..
5. Impacts on Creation from Consumptive Lifestyles. Melanie Hardison, PCUSA Associate for Enough for Everyone, and Barbara Hipple, Stewardship of Creation Educator for Homestead Presbytery and PRC Regional Representative.
6. Environment 101: Scientific Facts, Definitions And Perspectives For The Non-scientific Person. Jim Dunning, Stewardship of Creation Educator in Northern Waters and Adjunct Faculty Member, Environmental Public Health Program, University of Wisconsin (Eau-Claire).
Track Five: Regional Case Studies
1. Energy Efficiency in Virginia and Texas. Steve Brown, VA Interfaith Power and Light, and TXIPL staff.
2. Churches Supporting Sustainable Agriculture in Oregon. Taylor Jones and Jenny Holmes, Oregon Interfaith Food and Farms Partnership.
3. Experiential Education:. Gardening At Mo-Ranch. TBA
4. Building Green in New Orleans. Cassandra Carmichael, Director of Eco-Justice Programs for the National Council of Churches.
5. Going Carbon Neutral in Florida. Pam McVety, Stewardship of Creation Enabler in Florida Presbytery, advocate of Florida Presbytery’s carbon neutral policy.
6. Renewable Energy in Austin. TBA.
Track Six: “How To” Training Workshops
1. Influencing Public Policy through Local and National Advocacy. Bee Moorhead, Executive Director of Texas Impact, and Leslie Woods, PCUSA Associate for Domestic Poverty and the Environment (Washington Office).
2. Solar Power for Churches. TBA
3. Experiential Education: Leading Eco-justice Activities. Cassandra Carmichael, Director of Eco-Justice Programs for the National Council of Churches.
4. Changing Our Global Footprint. Andrew Kang Bartlett (see Track 2, workshop 2).
5. Dieting with PRC: A New Initiative on Food. PRC Steering Committee.
6. Using Carbon Offsets at Your Church. Interfaith Power and Light staff members.
OPTIONAL FIELD TRIPS
For an additional cost, those who arrive Wednesday to either Austin or to San Antonio can take advantage of pre-conference field trips that begin Thursday morning. We will recommend an overnight accommodation in each city for field trip participants. Please check the box by the field trip of your choice. Once we know how many people are interested in the trips, we will contact you with further information about logistics and cost. Participants will be asked to pay a field trip fee in addition to covering their own Wed night housing and meals through Thursday dinner.
A. Walking Mo-Ranch. Arrive San Antonio Wed, shuttle to Mo-Ranch. Enjoy a nature walk, historical tour, and introduction to the Environmental Leadership Program at Mo-Ranch during the day on Thursday.
B. Sustainable Food, Sustainable Communities (Austin). Arrive Austin Wed, stay overnight. Learn how Austin is becoming “food sustainable”--supporting local growers, the environment, & good food!
C. Renewable Energy and Climate Commitment (Austin). Arrive Austin Wed, stay overnight. Explore how Austin is actively engaged in renewable energy development, green building, and energy conservation. Hear from the Mayor’s office about Austin’s cutting-edge Climate Protection Plan!
D. Protecting Water and Enjoying the River (San Antonio). Arrive San Antonio, stay overnight. Using the conservation of the Edwards aquifer as an example, explore the vital connections between, and recent local successes of, land stewardship and watershed protection in the San Antonio area. Then, enjoy the San Antonio River Walk, a celebrated local attraction.
E. Land Stewardship at Shield Ranch. (Austin) The Shield Ranch, located just outside Austin , has been in continuous operation by the same family since its purchase in 1938. In 1999 the owners conveyed 2/3 of the acreage to a conservation easement under the auspices of the Nature Conservancy; since that time, the ranch has gained national attention as a model of land stewardship.
CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Come to the PRC Conference for great environmental education with the wonderful staff of the Environmental Leadership Program at Mo-Ranch! Two full days of programming, Friday and Saturday, will help you to explore and learn more about God’s good creation and our responsibility to protect and cherish it. Join in for this interactive, hands-on environmental education!
