May 29, 2024
7:00–9:30 PM
at St. John's Cathedral
The spirituality of environmental care recurs throughout human history, but may be more important today than ever. Spirituality grounded in wonder has existed since the beginning of human civilization. Indigenous peoples the world over have always included the natural world in their spiritual practices, and elements of eco-spirituality can be found in most world religions today.
Come participate in a discussion of the Spirituality of Environmental Care as described from a variety of perspectives, including Marqus Cole presenting an Evangelical view, Page Checketts presenting from the Mormon Environmental Stewardship Alliance, Yoshi Silverstein presenting Jewish understanding, Barry Moses on Salish spirituality, and Melanie Mullen representing the National Episcopal Church. And YOU!
The presentations begin at 7:00pm at St John’s Episcopal Cathedral, 127 E 12th Ave, with audience engagement following prepared remarks. Free admission. This event will be livestreamed on Youtube and on the Cathedral Facebook. Brought to you by Native Culture and Environmental Stewardship, EXPO+50.
Explore the spirituality borne from the Earth, and how our tending of the Earth makes whole our faith. Join the discussion, share your own spiritual commitment to Environmental Care.
Some thoughts:
Thomas Berry writes that “[at] its core, even our spirituality is Earth derived. The human and the Earth are totally implicated, each in the other.” The Sacred Universe, 2009. Richard Heinberg at the Post Carbon Institute wrote on Earth Day 2024, “Earth is miraculous and beautiful. It nourishes us physically, emotionally, and spiritually.” John Muir wrote, “God who is Light has led me tenderly from light to light to the shoreless ocean of rayless beamless Spirit Light that bathes these holy mountains.”
Chief Sealth said, "We love this earth as a newborn loves its mother’s heartbeat. Care for it as we have cared for it. Hold in your mind the memory of the land as it is when you receive it. Preserve the land for all children and love it as God loves us. As we are part of the land, you too are part of the land." Said to Washington Territory Governor Stevens, 1854.
"A great cultural, spiritual and educational challenge stands before us, and it will demand that we set out on the long path of renewal. We have not always appropriated and developed our spiritual treasures where the life of the spirit is not dissociated from the body or from nature or from worldly realities, but lived in and with them, in communion with all that surrounds us." Pope Francis in Laudito Si, Ch 6. ECOLOGICAL EDUCATION AND SPIRITUALITY
Ellen Davis in Scripture Culture and Agriculture (2008) writes . “...the earth may be ‘conquered,’ that is, claimed for God’s purposes and rendered hospitable to the whole created order….What is left unstated here- but should be burned into memory and moral understanding of those who hear- is that land, the habitable earth, can be lost in penalty for disobedience.” Although many practices and beliefs differ, many (in ecospirituality) agree there is "a spiritual dimension to our present ecological crisis." Wikipedia.
And there is a spiritual solution, too!