WKU’s Community Religious Literacy Project is co-sponsoring, with area churches and community organizations, our region’s first Interfaith Dialogue on Earth Care on Friday and Saturday (Feb. 19-20).
Presenters and participants will explore the faith community’s response and responsibility in protecting people, species, and the environment in this global time of great change.
Dr. Matthew Sleeth, a nationally acclaimed speaker, author and executive director of Blessed Earth, will deliver the keynote address “Serve God, Save the Planet” at 7 p.m. Feb. 19 at WKU’s Mass Media and Technology Hall Auditorium. His books include: “Serve God, Save the Planet: A Christian Call to Action” and “The Gospel According to the Earth: Why the Good Book is a Green Book.” This session is free and open to the public. Parking will be available at the South Chestnut Street lot, just south of the president’s home.
On Saturday, Feb. 20, the conference on “Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, and Earth Care” will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 1215 State St. in Bowling Green. Early registration is $20; $15 for students; on-site registration will be $25. Limited scholarships are available. Registration forms are available online at http://www.wku.edu/bggreen/event2.php. People of all faiths are invited to attend and participate in this important and unique Dialogue on Earth Care.
During the conference sessions, participants will examine the relationship of humans to the Earth in religious traditions from around the world and discover the common ground among religious traditions. An important goal is to initiate planning for future cooperation among this area’s faith communities, related to Earth care and sustainability.
WKU sponsors for the event include the Community Religious Literacy Project (an initiative of the Department of Philosophy & Religion), Office of Sustainability, Provost’s Initiative for Excellence Grant, Biology, Geography & Geology, Sociology, Potter College of Arts & Letters, Ogden College of Science & Engineering, College of Health & Human Services, and Graduate Studies.
Church and community sponsors include Christ Episcopal Church, Holy Spirit Catholic Church, the Islamic Center, Presbyterian Church, State Street Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist Church, State Street Baptist Church, First Christian Church, BGGreen Partnership for a Sustainable Community and Southern Kentucky Recycling.
For general information, visit http://www.wku.edu/bggreen/event2.php or email Margie Bowker at margie.bowker@wku.edu or Eric Bain-Selbo at eric.bain-selbo@wku.edu. For information on the scholarships, email Bella Mukonyora at bella.mukonyora@wku.edu.
Contact: Eric Bain-Selbo, (270) 745-3136.
