Healing our Relationship with the Earth--a Conference on September 18

Greenblade--an organization that seeks to integrate creation, faith, and justice--is one of the coolest things going in the Episcopal Church.  They were the ones who took on the challenge of eating local as a community over the course of a year--several years ago.  Their first conference is being held in Camillus this Saturday and with topics like hyrdrofracking, food gardens in faith communities, and Sr. Catherine Grace of Bluestone Farm in Brewster on the agenda--it is something you won't want to miss.  Just as an aside--the community at Bluestone Farm has been working on local, sustainable food issues for a long time and they totally walk the walk. They make their own tofu from soybeans they grow themselves--they are hardcore!

The official press release is included below.  Three other things to note:  the suggested donation is just that--suggested.  Pay what you can--if it is only a couple of bucks--no problem.  And the food is being catered by Abigail Henson--formerly of the Restaurant at Elderberry Pond.  Her food is amazing so count on lunch being spectacular.  Finally, with a nun giving the keynote--there will be God-talk here, Greenblade is about healing the planet from a faith perspective--but people of all faiths, and none, are heartily invited to come--don't let that get in the way.

I hope to see you there!

 

Healing Our Relationship with the Earth: Learn, Reflect Act,  will be held on Saturday, September 18, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Camillus, New York.

We know we must heal our relationship with the earth or the environmental and spiritual legacy we leave coming generations will be grim indeed. In this conference we will explore what healing means, what it requires of us, and how we do it.  Most of all, we will explore how this healing can bring all of us, human and non-human, to a place of fulfillment, abundance, and joy. Greenblade welcomes all who struggle with these questions to bring their thoughts, passions and beliefs and join the dialogue.

The keynote speaker will be Sr. Catherine Grace of Bluestone Farm, an organic farm run by the sisters of the Community of the Holy Spirit, in Brewster, N.Y. Her talk is titled “Grounded in the Cosmos: A New Context for Healing.” Participants will have the opportunity to discuss this talk and then to participate in three afternoon workshops. The topics for these workshops are: “Hydrofracking: Beyond ‘For’ and ‘Against’”; “Landscaping: Listening to the Land”; and “Church Gardens: Food to Share”.

A suggested donation of $40 includes a catered lunch of local and seasonal food. We invite participants to pay as they are able. To register please download and mail the form on the Greenblade site, www.greenblade.org.  Payment is by check.

St. Luke’s is located at 5402 West Genesee St., Camillus, New York. There is plenty of parking and handicapped access.  For further information please email Susan Dixon at [email protected].