The Future of Creation 2011

Foundations for a Just and Sustainable World

Chaired by Ray Pickett and Gayle Woloschak

Tuesday Evenings 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM, February 1 through May 3, 2011

Room 201, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, 1100 East 55th Street, Chicago, IL 60615

To live faithfully in today’s world, we need to face today’s problems. At the Zygon Center for Religion and Science (ZCRS), we believe that community coalitions—between scientists and people of faith, between scholars of religion and leaders of religious communities—are necessary to forge a better world. “The Future of Creation: Foundations for a Just and Sustainable World” addresses one key element in making a better world: developing effective, equitable, and sustainable responses to environmental degradation. Through the Future of Creation course, we invite you to learn, reflect, and act in response to today’s and tomorrow’s environmental crises—informed by contemporary scientific insights, guided by critical religious perspectives, and trained in practical public strategies.

Offered by the Zygon Center for Religion and Science (ZCRS), the Future of Creation course is designed as a graduate-level seminary course and public lecture series. All lectures are free and open to the public. Course credit is available via registration through the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) or cross-registration through member schools of the Association of Chicago Theological Schools (ACTS); the course number is LSTC T/B/I-400. For more information, please visit www.zygoncenter.org, email [email protected], or call 773-256-0670.

Ecology: Introduction and Scientific Backgrounds

February 1 (6:30 PM) Introduction to the Course: Ray Pickett and Barbara Rossing, New Testament, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

February 1 (8:00 PM) Introduction to the Course: Gayle Woloschak, molecular biology, Northwestern University

February 8 (6:30 PM) Ecology and Evolution: Gayle Woloschak, molecular biology, Northwestern University

February 8 (8:00 PM) Species Diversity: Tanja Paunesku, molecular biology, Northwestern University

February 15 (6:30 PM) Organisms and Habitats: Linda Vick, biology, North Park University

February 15 (8:00 PM) Loss of Species Diversity: Paul Heltne, former director, Center for Humans and Nature

Ecological Stresses and Environmental Sustainability

February 22 (6:30 PM) Air and Water Pollution: Paul Heltne, former director, Center for Humans and Nature

February 22 (8:00 PM) Population Processes and Extinction: Chris Mulvaney, science coordinator, Chicago Wilderness

March 1 (6:30 PM) Practical Ecology and Community Witness: Clare Butterfield, director, Faith in Place

March 1 (8:00 PM) Natural Morality: Beyond Boundaries, Respecting Relations: James Moore, marketing, DePaul University

March 8 No Lectures (Reading Week at LSTC)

Theological Perspectives and Biblical Reflections

March 15 (6:30 PM) Environmentally Sound Building and Practices: George Nassos, industry, IIT Stuart School of Business

March 15 (8:00 PM) Theology of Nature: Philip Hefner, theology, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

March 22 (6:30 PM) Religious Environmental Ethics: Michael Hogue, theology, Meadville/Lombard Theological School

March 22 (8:00 PM) Film: “Renewal”

March 29 (6:30 PM) Old Testament Reflections: Ted Hiebert, Old Testament, McCormick Theological Seminary

March 29 (8:00 PM) New Testament Reflections: Ray Pickett, New Testament, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

April 5 (6:30 PM) Responsibilities and Callings: Lea Schweitz, theology, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

April 5 (8:00 PM) Panel Discussion

April 12 (6:30 PM) Ecology and Liturgy: Ben Stewart, liturgical studies, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

April 12 (8:00 PM) Ecological Approaches to Creation: Matthew Frost, The Joseph A. Sittler Archives at LSTC

April 19 No Lectures (Holy Week at LSTC)

April 26 (6:30 PM) Interfaith Perspectives on Environmental Justice and Sustainability

May 3 (6:30 PM) Student Project Presentations