Web of Creation

Sept

September 2007

September 1
Beginning of the new Ecclesial Year (Orthdox Christian)

Fresh from the Farm
As the new school year quickly approaches, SGA is getting ready for another exciting year of Fresh from the Farm. SGA is adding two new Pilsen schools this year in addition to its work with current CPS and Oak Park D97 school partners. We will also be piloting a multi-school local food initiative with food service partner Food Service Professionals through their Nutri-Trak Program with Chicago schools, and will work on new initiatives to promote healthy eating and local farmers through exciting new cafeteria publicity. Oak Park District 97's new healthy lunch program will be offered to the entire 10-school district this year, and SGA will continue to support that program as it develops. SGA is working with D97 to conduct a district-wide school wellness policy planning event this Fall, which will focus school wellness teams on developing action plans for the 07-08 academic year. Fresh from the Farm will again offer teacher training to Chicago area schools, which includes training on Fresh from the Farm curriculum modules; healthy school fundraisers, party ideas, and other school-based activities; and processes and tools for implementing school wellness policies. To inquire about getting your school involved, contact SGA. To review recent Fresh from the Farm newsletters, visit http://www.sevengenerationsahead.org/fresh_newsletters.html.

September 4
Krishna Janmashtami (Hindu)

September 6-8
Ministry Conference: Walking Together in Faith
The University of Dallas School of Ministry is sponsoring a ministry conference, held September 6-8, 2007 at the Westin Park Central in Dallas, TX. The conference is sponsored jointly by the University of Dallas School of Ministry and the Diocese of Dallas. The School of Ministry has expanded the efforts of the Catechetical Office to provide a ministry conference that will benefit all Catholics. The conference offers keynotes and sessions in both English and Spanish, featuring nationally known speakers such as the Rev. Ronald Rolheiser, OMI. Registration is $40-$80; early registration is required by Aug 15. Special group rates apply. Room and board extra.

More information is available at: http://www.udallasconference.com

A detailed flier is available in PDF form at: http://www.udallasconference.com/images/UDallas2007Brochure-English.pdf

September 9
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 will begin a series of sessions entitled "God's Creation-Whose Is It Anyway? A Dialogue on the Environment". We will address some of the above concerns and questions. We will explore the nexus of science and spirituality with the objective of finding how our faith might help us to understand our proper role in God's creation and what we can do as individuals, as a faith community, and as citizens of the world to achieve environmental sustainability in accordance with the 7th Millennium Development Goal.

The first session of the series will begin at 4 pm on Sunday, September 9, 2007 in Corlett Hall at Church of the Nativity. The Reverend Tom Droppers, Chairperson for the Chartered Committee for Environmental Ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, will lead this session with a talk entitled, "Our Spirituality Here in Nature and in the Whole Cosmos". Rev. Droppers will build his talk upon his concerns that at this point in time as compared with our past, humans stand on a smaller world, and it is more complex than previously realized. Science and engineering have given us comforts and civilization. The growing human population and the activities of some of us, however, have caused recent and unprecedented complications for all living creatures. The human species must appreciate that all life is interconnected and interdependent.

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.

September 13
Rosh Hashanah: Jewish New Year
Ramadan begins (Islam)

September 14-16
Confronting the Triple Crisis: Climate Change, Peak Oil, and Global Resource Depletion
The International Forum on Globalization, The Institute for Policy Studies, and the Global Project on Economic Transitions announce a Teach-In.
George Washington University, Lisner Auditorium

Join us as we power down for the future and head towards an international movement for systemic change: new economies of sustainability, equity, "sufficiency," and peace. There will be 20 workshops and 50 speakers, including Vandana Shiva, Bill McKibben, David Korten, Michael Klare, Martin Khor, Winona LaDuke, Sara Larrain, Wolfgang Sachs, and many more.

For tickets and information, contact the International Forum on Globalization: 415-561-7650 or visit www.ifg.org <http://www.ifg.org/>.

September 19
Green Town: The Future of Community
Seven Generations Ahead and partner a5 are pleased to invite you to attend this conference, which will take place September 19, 2007 at Frank Lloyd Wright's classic Unity Temple in Oak Park, Illinois. The featured keynote speaker is the visionary architect and designer William McDonough whose work has inspired a pending documentary film produced by Steven Spielberg. For information on registration and sponsorship contact Seven Generations Ahead at 708 660-9909 or at act@sevengenerationsahead.org. Also visit www.greentownconference.com <http://www.greentownconference.com/> .

Join Seven Generations Ahead, a5, and Chicago area green leaders for a special dinner event honoring Green Town Conference keynote speaker Bill McDonough. Bill has won three separate presidential awards for his work; was chosen as the Times Magazine "Hero of the Planet"; co-authored the book Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things; created Cradle to Cradle product design and licensing company MBDC which is helping companies design eco-effective products; is designing eco-communities in China; and has designed numerous green buildings in the U.S. Join us for great organic food and the opportunity to meet one of the most accomplished and inspiring green visionaries of our day! Contact Sara Rechtin at a5 (312 706-2525; srechtin@a5inc.com <mailto:706-2525.srechtin@a5inc.com> ) or Seven Generations Ahead to order tickets or for more information. Seating is limited. Tickets: $125.

September 22
Yom Kippur (Jewish)

September 23
Autumn Feast (Native American)

September 27-October 3
Sukkot: Festival of Tabernacles (Jewish)

September 28-30
Sacred Soil: Reclaiming the Source of Our Food
Friday, September 28, 6 p.m. through Sunday noon, the 30th

Each fall, Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College
holds a conference for people of faith who share a passion for the care
of the earth. Participants spend much of their time outside,
experiencing renewal and hope through an in-depth look at the way
ecosystems function. This year's theme, Sacred Soil, explores the
relationship between the health of the soil and the food we eat. The
registration fee of $75 includes meals. Lodging available for $15/night
upon request.

Merry Lea is an 1,150-acre nature preserve located in central northern
Indiana near Wolf Lake. It is about 3 hours from Chicago. For more
information, see www.goshen.edu/merrylea, call 260-799-5869 or email
jenniferhs@goshen.edu.