Christian Faith and the Earth: Respice et Prospice

Event description: 

August 6 -10, 2012

Sustainability Institute
R310 Baden Powel Drive
Lynedoch, Stellenbosch
South Africa

The conference will be hosted by the Department of Religion and Theology at the University of the Western Cape in South Africa.

Proposals may be submitted by 31 January 2012 to Ernst Conradie at econradie@uwc.ac.za

For the conference brochure, visit: http://fore.research.yale.edu/files/Christian_Faith_and_the_Earth_Conference_brochure.pdf

The Christian Faith and the Earth project will hold its culminating conference from Monday 6 to Friday 10 August 2012 at the Sustainability Institute near Cape Town.

The Christian Faith and the Earth project is an international collaborative research project with the aim to assess the state of the current debate in Christian ecotheology and to provide a sense of direction for further discourse. The focus of the project is on the content and the significance of the Christian faith with a view to transform a Christian ethos, praxis and spirituality. It complements various other discourses on the Bible, Christian history, various ethical issues, ecclesial praxis, Christian mission, worship and on religion and ecology.

The project was launched in 2007. It is structured in the form of various working groups - of which some are more active than others. The culminating conference will bring such work together and will assess the challenges for the road ahead.

The plenary speakers for this conference include Clive Ayre, Sigurd Bergmann, Ernst Conradie, Celia Deane-Drummond, Denis Edwards, Heather Eaton, Peter Scott and Christopher Southgate.

This is a warm invitation, exactly one year ahead of the conference, to any interested scholar to attend the conference and an open call to submit a proposal for a parallel session on any of the following main themes:

Where on earth is God? Theological reflection on the identity of the triune God in the light of the current global environmental crisis

God’s economy? Theological reflection on the whole work of God in the light of the current global environmental crisis

Does God’s care make any difference? Theological reflection on the suffering of God’s creatures

Where on earth is the church? Theological reflection on the nature, mission, governance and ministry of the church in the light of the current global environmental crisis

At home of earth? Theological reflection on anthropology and cosmology in the light of the current global environmental crisis

Whither does the wind blow? Theological reflection on the Holy Spirit and spirituality in the light of the current global environmental crisis

An ethos for our time? Theological reflection on appropriate ethical concepts in the light of the current global environmental crisis

Seeing the world through God’s eyes? Theological reflection on liturgy and life in the light of the current global environmental crisis

Where do we go from here? Theological reflection on the methodological differences between various discourses on religion and ecology

Proposals may be submitted by 31 January 2012 to Ernst Conradie at econradie@uwc.ac.za.

The programme will include excursions to environmental projects in the vicinity, to the Cheetah sanctuary at Spier estate (within walking distance) and inputs form the South African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute. The Sustainability Institute is situated near Lynedoch in the midst of the Cape winelands with panoramic views of the nearby mountains. The site also houses various development projects, sustainability initiatives and a local primary school.

The conference will be hosted by the Department of Religion and Theology at the University of the Western Cape in South Africa.

The following practical details may assist you in your planning to participate in this conference:

  • The conference will start by 14h00 on Monday 6 August 2012 and will conclude by 13h00 on Friday 10 August 2012.
  • Participants are responsible for arranging their own transport to Cape Town and accommodation and for covering costs in this regard.
  • Affordable accommodation is available at the Sustainability Institute itself and also nearby at the Spier estate. Details on prices, availability and contact information to follow by 31 October 2011.
  • The conference fee will include all meals, including two dinners at restaurants.
  • Local transport will be provided from and to Cape Town international airport (30 minutes away) on the opening and closing days of the conference (only).
  • Details regarding costs and payment will be available by 31 October 2011 together with a more colourful conference brochure. In the interim you may inform Ernst Conradie at econradie@uwc.ac.za of your interest to attend the conference. On this basis you will be kept informed about further details.
  • The pre-final conference programme should be available by 1 March 2012. Please note that details on the conference will hopefully be available on the UWC website at a later stage.
  • If you do not have financial support from your own institution to attend the conference, you may apply for assistance in this regard on the basis of a limited number of scholarships that should become available through the World Council of Churches.
  • Weather in August near Stellenbosch may be cold and wet or sunny and wonderfully mild. Come prepared!
  • The international nature of the conference may be enhanced through the Olympic Games taking place during the same week. This may also prompt some reflections on sustainability!
  • The carpet of wild flowers in some areas of Namaqualand (300 km North of Cape Town) may be out by middle August, depending on winter rains. If you are interested in an excursion to the famous Cedar mountains in the weekend following the conference, please also inform Ernst Conradie at econradie@uwc.ac.za.

For the conference brochure, visit: http://fore.research.yale.edu/files/Christian_Faith_and_the_Earth_Conference_brochure.pdf