22 August, Pennant Hills: Seminar: Pope Francis has Written You a Letter.
What is Pope Francis saying in his encyclical on the environment? To what extent did global warming influence super-typhoon Haiyan? What is the scientific explanation for global warming? Apart from humanitarian responses, what actions can ordinary people take to help stop the problem from getting much worse? How do we live out this aspect of our mission as people of faith? All welcome, of any faith or none. At St Agatha’s Primary School Hall, 10am - 4:30 pm. With presenters: Professor Neil Ormerod (ACU), Nick Grosfeld (Climate Change Research Centre, UNSW), Thea Ormerod (ARRCC) and more. More info and register.
25 August, Parramatta: Sydney Alliance in Western Sydney.
The purpose of the meeting is to reflect on participants' experiences with the Alliance over the past years and provide input into the current strategic planning process for the next five years. Reconnect, Evaluate and Project: How can we strengthen our work for the common good through collaboration? The Sydney Alliance and its members are increasingly engaging with environmental issues. This meeting is an opportunity to explore further possibilities in Western Sydney. Meet at the Community Migrant Resource Centre, 4pm for 4:30 start. Contact Richard and Maria Maguire, mail@unfoldingfutures.net or phone 9896 3839 for further info.
28-30 August, Castle Hill: Retreat: Human Vocation, Keeps of the Space
Weekend silent retreat with reflection and meditation on our responsibility for the care of our common home. Led by Rev Linda Chapman, held at the Mary Mount Mercy Centre, Castle Hill in north-west Sydney. Cost: $250. Organised by the Australian Christian Meditation Community. More info.
28 September, Melbourne and via Skype: Symposium: Ecological Aspects of War: Religious Perspectives from Australia
The conference is supported by two Colleges of the University of Divinity, Trinity and Whitley, and by the Yarra Institute for Religion and Social Policy. It is a one-day symposium to consider intersections between war and ecology, through the lenses of religious social teachings and sacred texts, representative of the multi-cultural and inter-faith constitution of contemporary Australian society. Convenors: Keith Dyer and Anne Elvey. Keynote presentation: “Planet Earth as a Victim of War” by Dr Jenny Grounds. 8.45am to 5.30pm, participation by Skype is possible. More info.
9-10 October, Sydney: The Earth is the Lord's: Environmental Theology and Ethics.
This symposium will be held at St Andrew's Greek Orthodox Theological College Redfern and will primarily explore the sacred depths of creation not only from within different disciplines of theology but also different Christian traditions. Keynote speaker: The Revd Dr John Chryssavgis, Theological Advisor to the Ecumenical Patriarch on Environmental Issues. More info.
