Web of Creation

Oct

Nov

Dec

October 2007

October 4
St. Francis Day, Blessing of Animals (Christian)
Shemini Atzeret (Jewish)

October 5
Simchat Torah (Jewish)

October 7
World Communion (Protestant Christian)

October 8
Laylat al-Qadr (Islam)

October 12
Navaratra (Hindu)
Ramadan ends (Islam)

October 13
'Eid al-Fitr: The Feast of Breaking Fast (Islam)

Metro-Chicago Synod: A Green Congregation Training Workshop
Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church
Arlington Heights, IL, 8:00 to noon
The Metro-Chicago Synod is sponsoring a Green Congregation Training Workshop, “Stewardship of Creation.” This workshop will be held on Saturday, October 13, 2006, from 8:00 to noon at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Arlington Heights. The workshop will be led by David Rhoads of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and Director of the Green Congregation Program and representatives of the Metro-Chicago Synod.

The purpose of the workshop is to offer practical, hands-on guidance and (free) resources for introducing care for creation into the life of your congregation—worship, education, property, discipleship at home and work, and public ministry. Anyone interested in greening your congregation should attend. We encourage teams of 3 to 5 people who would follow up in your congregation. Come and learn how to get started. Please mark your calendar and let the pastor know of your interest. Put your “team” together now! To assist with set-up and food, please register your participation by e-mailing register your congregation and the approximate number of participants with Erma Alvarez at the Metro-Chicago Synod office, phone 773-248-0021 or e-mail at ealvarez@mcselca.org. For schedule and brochures check out the Metropolitan Chicago Synod website at http://www.mcselca.org/green.html. Please direct any questions to the event organizer, Sumie Song at ssong@lstc.edu.

October 14
Faith & Science Group Dialogue on the Environment
Episcopal Church of the Nativity, in Raleigh, NC.
For too long humans have held the view that as a species we are unique and above nature, and the Earth is ours to exploit. But now, some of us wonder what will be left of this planet for our children and our children's children if we continue to behave as we have?

In September, the Faith & Science Dialogue at the Church of the Nativity began a series of sessions entitled "God's Creation-Whose Is It Anyway? A Dialogue on the Environment." On October 14, 2007, from 4 to 6 pm at Nativity The Reverend Dr. Mary Kathleen Cunningham, Associate Professor of Religious Studies in the Department of Philosophy and Religion, North Carolina State University will trace the biblical texts for understanding the relationship between God and the world. Her recently published book, "God and Evolution" will be available for purchase and Professor Cunningham will be pleased to sign copies of her book.

Church of the Nativity has sponsored a Faith & Science Dialogue for the last four years. Details about our group can be found on our website, http://www.fsdialog.org/. Our sessions are open to everyone who wishes to participate. Later sessions in the series will address global warming, utilization of natural resources, sources of energy and environmental ethics.

October 19-21
Reviving Our Spirits: Transforming Our Politics
The Renaissance Cleveland Hotel, Cleveland, OH
Join us for a weekend of inspirational speaking and dialogue with Jim Wallis and Richard Rohr. There will be opportunities to:
- Listen to keynote addresses by Jim Wallis , Richard Rohr, and Naomi Tutu followed by question and answer sessions
- Join in dynamic and spirited services of renewal, prayer, praise, and song
- Listen to the voices and unique testimonials of those in poverty
- Participate in sessions aimed at equipping individuals and churches at how to engage and work to overcome poverty
- Experience a marketplace of ideas and learn more about some of the great social justice work individuals and organizations are doing in their communities
- Share your own stories of faith and hope in ways that make it clear that the movement for justice has the capacity to change our world for the common good of all
- Opportunities for grass root organizing around poverty issues with other members of your community
- Meet Jim Wallis and Richard Rohr and learn more about their teachings at the scheduled book signings.

For more information, call 505-242-9588, or see the website: http://www.cacradicalgrace.org/conferences/ros/

October 21
Dashara or Vijaya Dashami (Hindu)

October 22
Public Forum on Chicago's Climate Action Strategy Plan
Monday, October 22, 7-9 p.m.
Wellington Ave United Church of Christ (615 W Wellington Ave)
Come join the discussion - make your voice heard in relation to the city of Chicago's proposed Climate Action Strategy Plan. This event is sponsored by Climate Justice Chicago, see their website at http://www.climatejusticechicago.org/

October 23
E.O. Wilson to Speak on the Future of Life
Tuesday, October 23, 7:30 p.m.
Harvard Professor E.O. Wilson is one of America's most prominent
scientists and the author of two Pulitzer Prize-winning books. "On
Human Nature" and "The Ants." In this presentation, he will draw on the
ideas of his best-selling book, The Future of Life, to make a
passionate and eloquent plea for a new approach to the management and
protection of our eco-systems. At Goshen College, Sauder Hall; no
charge.

Those attending the lecture are also invited to tour Merry Lea's Rieth
Village Tuesday afternoon. Rieth Village is an environmentally
sustainable collegiate facility designed to meet the U.S. Green
Building Council's Platinum LEED standards.

For more information, see www.goshen.edu/merrylea, call 260-799-5869 or
email jenniferhs@goshen.edu.

October 24
Martyrdom Day of Guru Tegh Bahadur (Sikh)

October 25
Uncovering Inherent Mutuality
Wisdom House in Litchfield
Thursday, October 25, 2007: 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
Spiritual Directors International Leadership Institute presents "Uncovering Inherent Mutuality" co-facilitated by Janet Ruffing, RSM and Vivienne Joyce, SC. Join others for an exciting one-day workshop for faculty, staff, and directors of spiritual direction programs. If you or your institution is evaluating whether to start a spiritual direction formation program, you are welcome to come learn from decades of experience from those who will be attending. The purpose of the gathering is to explore supervisor surprises: emergent understandings for spiritual director and supervisor, develop one's own supervisory style, and discover parallel process: patterns of interaction and shaping influences on supervisor responses. During the day, participants will have an opportunity to reflect on their experience directing and supervising the practicum experience of spiritual directors in training. It is the intent of the presenters to create with participants an atmosphere of openness and appreciation for the emotional authenticity at the core of the supervision process. We will give particular attention to the creative interplay between contemplative and clinical wisdom, developing a language for the dynamic insights emerging from the supervisory relationship that leader to the supervisor's and director's personal growth.

All attendees are responsible for their own travel and accommodations, including transport to and from Wisdom House. Overnight accommodation is available at Wisdom House for $70, including continental breakfast. Please make personal arrangements for overnight accommodations by contacting Wisdom House, info@wisdomhouse.org or 860-567-3163. Tuition and registration: $75 including one meal. Registration deadline: October 1. For more information, contact Spiritual Directors International: office@sdiworld.org or call 425-455-1565.

October 28
Reformation Sunday (Protestant Christian)

October 31
All Hallow’s Eve (Christian)