June 2012


The Forum on Religion and Ecology Newsletter
6.6 (June 2012)

 


Contents:

1. Editorial, by Elizabeth McAnally

 

2. Journey of the Universe National PBS Broadcasts

 

3. Yale Forum on Climate Change and the Media: Focus on Religious Responses to Climate Change

 

4. “Rio+20: The World We Want” (Special Issue of Solutions)

 

5. Events

 

6. Calls for Papers

 

7. Summer Solstice Concert with Paul Winter (June 16, 2012 at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York, NY, USA)

 

8. “Cultivating Ecological Wisdom: Perceiving, Thinking, and Acting with Earth in Mind, Heart, and Soul” (June 22-24, 2012 at Transformative Learning Centre Summer Institute, Ontario, Canada)

 

9. “Come to the Quiet: A Retreat for Graduate Students on Seeking Peace and Living a Sustainable Life” (November 2-4, 2012 at Agape Community, Ware, MA, USA)

 

10. Worldviews: Global Religions, Culture, and Ecology



 

1. Editorial, by Elizabeth McAnally

 

Greetings,

 

Welcome to the June issue of the newsletter for the Forum on Religion and Ecology. I have much to share with you this month with regards to developments in the field of Religion and Ecology, including publications, conferences, events, calls for papers, and more.

 

We have now completed the Journey of the Universe Trilogy (film, book, and educational series of interviews). The book is available through Yale University Press, your local bookstore, and Amazon.com. The film and Educational Series are available through the website: www.journeyoftheuniverse.org. We are also making copies for use overseas, as well as Blu-Ray which plays in high definition.

 

We are very excited to announce that Journey of the Universe has won the regional (Northern California) EMMY® Award for Best Documentary! The awards ceremony took place in San Francisco on Saturday, June 9. The EMMY® award is presented for outstanding achievement in television by The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS). The San Francisco/Northern California region includes entries released in 2011 from Northern California, Hawaii, and Reno, Nevada. We greatly appreciate the warm reception that Journey has received, and are thrilled to be able to share this news with all of our wonderful friends and supporters. For more information, see the press release about the EMMY® award nomination from station KQED PBS: http://blogs.kqed.org/pressroom/2012/05/10/kqed-honored-with-17-northern-california-emmy%C2%AE-award-nominations/ You can find the official press release from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences at: http://www.emmysf.tv/images/2012emmynomination.pdf

 

The Journey of the Universe Facebook page is a great way to connect with others and show your support for the project. Come “Like” us on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=212293652138039#!/pages/Journey-of-the-Universe/179213572122084

The film is continuing to be broadcast nationwide on PBS for their pledge drive over the next 2 years and has already been carried by 70% of the stations (with over 650 showings). The PBS broadcast consists of the film and an interview with Mary Evelyn Tucker. For upcoming broadcasts, see the list below or visit: http://www.journeyoftheuniverse.org/pbs/ It is wonderful to have this opportunity for the New Story to be available for an even wider audience. Inspired by the New Story described by Thomas Berry, the Journey of the Universe draws on the latest scientific knowledge to tell the story of cosmic and Earth evolution. It aims to inspire a new and closer relationship with Earth in a period of growing environmental and social crisis.

 

The DVD Educational Series was completed in December and consists of 20 interviews. The first 10 are conversations with scientists and historians discussing the evolution of universe, Earth, life, and humans. The last 10 are discussions with environmentalists who are working on issues such as eco-cities, eco-economics, permaculture, energy, and arts and justice. We think these interviews will be very useful to complement the film and book. They will be excellent sources of discussion in your communities, churches, learning centers, and schools. You can see an overview of the series and short selections of each person interviewed online at: www.journeyoftheuniverse.org/ed-series-previews

 

I also want to let you know that the Yale Forum on Climate Change and the Media has recently published a number of articles on religious responses to climate change. To read the stories, visit the links provided below or go to their website: http://www.yaleclimatemediaforum.org/. For more climate change statements from religions, visit the climate change section of the Forum on Religion and Ecology website: http://fore.research.yale.edu/climate-change/statements-from-world-religions/

 

Finally, the Grammy®-winning Paul Winter Consort will celebrate the dawn of the summer during the 17th annual Summer Solstice Celebration concert on Saturday, June 16 at 4:30 AM at The Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York, NY. Please see below for more information or visit: http://www.stjohndivine.org/SS12.html

 

I hope this newsletter supports your own work and helps you further your own engagements with the field of Religion and Ecology.

 

Warm wishes,
Elizabeth McAnally
California Institute of Integral Studies
Forum on Religion and Ecology at Yale
Website Manager & Newsletter Editor
http://www.yale.edu/religionandecology
news@religionandecology.org



2. Journey of the Universe National PBS Broadcasts

 

This list will be continually updated. Stations will be adding additional showings throughout the coming months, so please check your local listings.

 

El Paso , KCOSDT : 6/11/2012 at 9:00 PM
El Paso , KCOS-X : 6/11/2012 at 9:00 PM
Sacramento , KVIEDT : 6/23/2012 at 5:00 PM
Sacramento , KVIEDT : 6/25/2012 at 12:30 AM
Jacksonville , WJCTDT4 : 6/25/2012 at 9:00 PM
Jacksonville , WJCTDT4 : 6/26/2012 at 3:00 AM
San Francisco/Northern CA , KQED 9 : 7/25/2012 at 10:00 PM
San Francisco/Northern CA , KQED 9 : 7/26/2012 at 4:00 AM
San Francisco/Northern CA , KQED Life : 7/26/2012 at 9:00 PM
San Francisco/Northern CA , KQED Life : 7/27/2012 at 2:00 AM

 

For more broadcasts, visit: http://www.journeyoftheuniverse.org/pbs/



3. Yale Forum on Climate Change and the Media: Focus on Religious Responses to Climate Change

 

Nationwide Climate ‘Preach-In’ To Target Broad Faith-Group Congregations
By Bud Ward
February 7, 2012
http://www.yaleclimatemediaforum.org/2012/02/nationwide-preach-in-targets-broad-faith-group-congregations/

 

The Catholic Church and Climate Change
By Bruce Lieberman
February 14, 2012
http://www.yaleclimatemediaforum.org/2012/02/the-catholic-church-and-climate-change/

 

Judaism and Climate Change
By Julie Halpert
February 29, 2012
http://www.yaleclimatemediaforum.org/2012/02/judaism-and-climate-change/

 

Episcopalians Confronting Climate Change
By Lisa Palmer
March 6, 2012
http://www.yaleclimatemediaforum.org/2012/03/episcopalians-confronting-climate-change/

 

Baptists and Climate Change
By Sara Peach
March 13, 2012
http://www.yaleclimatemediaforum.org/2012/03/baptists-and-climate-change/

 

The United Church of Christ and Climate Change
By Christine Woodside
April 5, 2012
http://www.yaleclimatemediaforum.org/2012/04/the-united-church-of-christ-and-climate-change/

 

Green Muslims,’ Eco-Islam and Evolving Climate Change Consciousness
By John Wihbey
April 11, 2012
http://www.yaleclimatemediaforum.org/2012/04/green-muslims-eco-islam-and-evolving-climate-change-consciousness/

 

Presbyterians and Climate Change
By Julie Halpert
April 19, 2012
http://www.yaleclimatemediaforum.org/2012/04/presbyterians-and-climate-change/



4. “Rio+20: The World We Want” (Special Issue of Solutions)

Rio+20: The World We Want”
Solutions, Volume 3, Issue 3, May-June 2012
http://www.thesolutionsjournal.com/

 

This special issue of Solutions celebrates this year’s most important environmental event: the Rio de Janeiro summit on sustainable development in June. Twenty years have passed since the first Earth Summit in 1992, and we need an urgent reevaluation of how our economies depend on our environment.

 

International agreements have not always been successful—but for issues where the global commons is at stake, international agreements may be the only option. We can learn from past agreements that have succeeded in bringing us together as a global community. The question is not whether we should try to create ambitious international agreements, but how. Sustainable Development Goals are one way forward from Rio, giving us a chance to establish concrete targets for changing the way governments measure progress. But whatever agreement is reached, the outlines of a fairer, greener economy are becoming clearer.

 

For more about this issue, visit: http://www.thesolutionsjournal.com/node/1097



5. Events

 

Metaphysical and Religious Naturalism”
Highlands Institute for American Religious and Philosophical Thought
Manitou Springs, CO, USA
June 11-14, 2012
http://www.hiarpt.org/meetings.html

 

Symposium on Preaching and Stewardship”
Featuring Dr. James Forbes
Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, IN, USA
June 12–14, 2012
https://docgeneralassembly.webconnex.com/CFGSymposium2012

9th Annual Meeting for Environmental Philosophy”
Highlands Center, Allenspark, CO, USA
June 12-15, 2012
http://iseethics.org/2011/09/08/call-for-papers-ninth-annual-meeting-for-environmental-philosophy/

 

International Interdisciplinary Conference: Nature and Culture”
North-Eastern Federal University
Yakutsk, Russia
June 13-15, 2012
http://s-vfu.ru/university/institutions/science/filos_osnovy_grazhd_cult/conferencii/page.php

 

Halki Summit: Global Responsibility and Environmental Sustainability”
A Conversation on Environment, Ethics, and Innovation
Heybeliada, Turkey
June 18-20, 2012
http://halkisummit.org/about/program/

 

Confronting Collapse: What Agencies, Institutions and Strategies Are Needed for a Better World? How to Achieve Environmental Justice?”
Global Ecological Integrity Group International Conference
University of La Rochelle, France
June 18-23, 2012
http://www.globalecointegrity.net/conferences.html

 

Food, Glorious Food: The Eucharist & Your Foodshed”
Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu, NM, USA
June 18-24, 2012
http://www.ghostranch.org/courses-and-retreats/earth-honoring-faith

 

The Role of the Human with the Earth Community”
Lecture & Workshop with Brian Swimme
Knox United Church, Calgary, AB, Canada
June 22-23, 2012
www.knoxcentre.ca

 

Summer Institute in New Economics”
Boston College, MA, USA
June 24 - July 1, 2012

http://www.bc.edu/schools/cas/sociology/neweconomics/

 

Contemplative Environmental Studies: Pedagogy for Self and Planet”
Lama Foundation, NM, USA
July 1-7, 2012
http://www.american.edu/sis/gep/Contemplative-Environmental-Studies-Workshop.cfm

 

Minding Animals Conference 2012
Utrecht University, the Netherlands
July 1-7, 2012
http://mindinganimals.com/

 

The Ethical Challenge of Multidisciplinarity: Reconciling ‘The Three Narratives’—Art, Science, and Philosophy”
13th International Conference of the International Society for the Study of European Ideas (ISSEI)
University of Cyprus, Nicosia
July 2-6, 2012
http://issei2012.haifa.ac.il/

 

For more events, visit: http://fore.research.yale.edu/calendar/



6. Calls for Papers

 

Everyday Religion and Sustainable Environments in the Himalaya”
The New School, New York, NY, USA
March 8-10, 2013
Deadline for Submissions: June 15, 2012
http://fore.research.yale.edu/calendar/item/everyday-religion-and-sustainable-environments-in-the-himalaya/

 

Climate Science”
Journal for General Philosophy of Science

Submission Deadline: August 1, 2012
http://itisonlyatheory.blogspot.com/2012/01/cfp-special-issue-of-journal-for.html

 

Green Countercultures”
Ecozon@ Issue 4.1 (Spring 2013)
Deadline for completed manuscripts: September 15, 2012
http://agricola.utu.fi/nyt/pyynnot/index.php?ilmoitus=564

 

The Promise of Liberation Philosophy”
The Journal of Analytic Teaching and Philosophical Praxis (AT&PP)

Deadline: October 10, 2012
http://www.viterbo.edu/uploadedFiles/academics/letters/philosophy/atp/CallForPapersOnLiberationPhilosophy.pdf



7. Summer Solstice Concert with Paul Winter (June 16, 2012 at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York, NY, USA)

 

The Paul Winter Consort will celebrate the dawn of the summer, prior to the longest day of the year, during the 17th annual Summer Solstice Celebration concert on Saturday, June 16 at 4:30 - 6:30 AM, at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine located at 1047 Amsterdam Avenue at 112th Street, Manhattan.

Beginning in complete darkness in the world’s largest Gothic cathedral, the Grammy®-winning ensemble, the Paul Winter Consort, will surround the audience and play continuously for two hours as the morning sun gradually illuminates the stained-glass windows.

Featured guests this year will be musicians from Bulgaria. Paul Winter says: “I have long been fascinated with the music of Bulgaria, and I finally got the chance to visit there last summer. The Consort and I are excited to be collaborating with our new Bulgarian friends in this year’s Summer Solstice Celebration.”

Tickets are available for $35.

 

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit: http://www.stjohndivine.org/SS12.html



8. “Cultivating Ecological Wisdom: Perceiving, Thinking, and Acting with Earth in Mind, Heart, and Soul” (June 22-24, 2012 at Transformative Learning Centre Summer Institute, Ontario, Canada)

 

Arne Naess once described his deep ecology as an ecosophia, or ecological wisdom: “All ‘sophical’ insight should be directly relevant for action” and involve a “conscious change of attitude towards the conditions of life in the ecosphere.” Ecological wisdom consists of the diverse modes of consciousness and perception—along with the knowledge, skills, and emotional intelligence—needed to bring forth an ecologically sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, and socially just human presence on Earth.

 

During this workshop, a variety of experiential exercises and practices will be employed to help participants to reflect on and deepen their own experience of ecological wisdom. As well, the facilitator will present a number of key ideas from his research drawing on scientific, spiritual, and psychological perspectives to enrich the group’s reflections. In the process, we will attempt to more clearly describe the experience of ecological wisdom, the way it affects both our consciousness and actions, and the transformative learning that has been most helpful in educing, cultivating, and nourishing it in our own lives.

 

Course Facilitator: Mark Hathaway is an adult educator and the co-author (with Leonardo Boff) of the award-winning book The Tao of Liberation: Exploring the Ecology of Transformation (Orbis Books, 2009). Mark has extensive experience as a facilitator, eco-justice advocate, and researcher in Latin America & Canada. He is engaged in doctoral studies at the University of Toronto where his teaching and research focuses on adult transformative learning and ecological worldviews.


Register by June 18, 2012 at: http://www.oise.utoronto.ca/tlc/Summer_Institute/Registration.html

http://www.taoofliberation.com/Events.aspx#cew



9. “Come to the Quiet: A Retreat for Graduate Students on Seeking Peace and Living a Sustainable Life” (November 2-4, 2012 at Agape Community, Ware, MA, USA)

 

We welcome Divinity, Theology, and other graduate students to a weekend retreat on gospel nonviolence in a community environment of sustainable living. The retreat will incorporate theological and personal reflection within an environment of compassionate listening, we will be inspired to better live Jesus gospel message of peace. Our time will be animated by the ancient practices of silence, meditation, and liturgy, inspiring and encouraging us to live this message of nonviolence with our human family and with our threatened earth.

 

This will take place at Agape Community, which is located on 34 acres of woodland in Central Massachusetts next to the natural beauty of the Quabbin Reservoir, with its 180,000 acres of protected land. Agape is a Catholic lay community, interfaith and ecumenical, and dedicated to prayer, nonviolence, and a simple, ecological lifestyle. We live in a straw bale house, use solar energy, compost toilets, and run our car on vegetable oil. Scholarships available upon inquiry. Agape has a sister community of graduate students, the Creatively Maladjusteds, who meet bi-monthly in Boston.

 

http://fore.research.yale.edu/calendar/item/come-to-the-quiet-a-retreat-for-graduate-students-on-seeking-peace-and-livi/

 

www.agapecommunity.org



10. Worldviews: Global Religions, Culture, and Ecology

 

Worldviews: Global Religions, Culture, and Ecology has as its focus the relationships between religion, culture and ecology world-wide. Articles discuss major world religious traditions, such as Islam, Buddhism or Christianity; the traditions of indigenous peoples; new religious movements; and philosophical belief systems, such as pantheism, nature spiritualities, and other religious and cultural worldviews in relation to the cultural and ecological systems. Focusing on a range of disciplinary areas including Anthropology, Environmental Studies, Geography, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Sociology and Theology, the journal also presents special issues that center around one theme. For more information, visit: http://www.brill.nl/wo

 

For more information on other journals related to religion and ecology and to environmental ethics/philosophy, visit: http://fore.research.yale.edu/publications/journals/index.html. If you know of a publication that needs to be added to this list, email news@religionandecology.org



For the archive of previous Forum newsletters, visit:
http://fore.research.yale.edu/publications/newsletters/index.html