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 faith 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. We invite you to:
Learn from leading scientists as they explain ecological systems and environmental threats. Find out more about how human action contributes to environmental degradation.
Reflect on your responsibilities to the care of creation with help from theologians and biblical scholars. Consider new interpretations of the ways that our religious traditions guide us to respond to environmental crises.
Act to improve environmental stewardship in your community. Learn and apply strategies for community and parish-based action developed by experienced organizers.
Course Credit and Registration
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 about ZCRS, please visit www.zygoncenter.org, email [email protected], or call 773-256-0670.
Future of Creation Schedule - Spring 2012
| Date | Time | Topic | Speaker |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 31, 2012 | 6:30 pm | Course Introduction | Barbara Rossing, New Testament, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) |
| January 31, 2012 | 8:00 pm | Course Introduction | Gayle Woloschak, molecular biology, Northwestern University |
| February 7, 2012 | 6:30 pm | Ecology of Food and Hunger | David Creech, program director, Hunger Education, ELCA World Hunger |
| February 7, 2012 | 8:00 pm | Religious Environmental Ethics | Michael Hogue, theology, Meadville-Lombard Theological School |
| February 14, 2012 | 6:30 pm | Field Trip: “Radiation and the Environment,” Woloschak Lab, Northwestern University | Meeting in Ward Memorial Building, room 13-002, 303 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60611 |
| February 21, 2012 | 6:30 pm | Organisms and Habitats | Linda Vick, biology, North Park University |
| February 21, 2012 | 8:00 pm | Loss of Species Diversity | Paul Heltne, evolutionary biology, Chicago Academy of Sciences and ZCRS |
| February 28 | No Lectures (Reading Week at LSTC) | ||
| March 6, 2012 | 6:30 pm | Population Processes and Extinctions | Chris Mulvaney, science coordinator, Chicago Wilderness |
| March 6, 2012 | 8:00 pm | Sustainable Strategies for a Sustainable Environment | George Nassos, environmental management, Illinois Institute of Technology |
| March 13, 2012 | 6:30 pm | Environmental Racism | Richard Perry, ethics, LSTC |
| March 13, 2012 | 8:00 pm | New Testament Reflections | David Rhoads, New Testament, LSTC |
| March 20, 2012 | 6:30 pm | Theology of Nature | Philip Hefner, theology, LSTC and ZCRS |
| March 20, 2012 | 8:00 pm | Old Testament Reflections | Ted Hiebert, Old Testament, McCormick Theological Seminary |
| March 27, 2012 | 6:30 pm | Climate Change and Daily Bread | Barbara Rossing, New Testament, LSTC |
| March 27, 2012 | 8:00 pm | Open Discussion | |
| April 3 | 6:30 pm | No Lectures (Holy Week at LSTC) | |
| April 10, 2012 | 6:30 pm | Presentation and Discussion: “Coal in Southern Illinois,” | Clare Butterfield, director, Faith in Place |
| April 17, 2012 | 6:30 pm | The Spirit of Agriculture | Gavin Van Horn, Midwest director, Center for Humans and Nature |
| April 17, 2012 | 8:00 pm | Liturgy, Ecology and the End(s) of Creation | Robert Saler, theology, LSTC |
| April 24, 2012 | 6:30pm | Earth Day Program | (speakers TBA) |
| May 1, 2012 | 6:30 pm | Student Project Presentations |