We're looking forward to our special district creation care event next Saturday, April 27, at Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren in Elgin (783 W. Highland Ave.), and we hope you can join us! It will include a keynote address, mini-workshop breakout sessions, a book/resource table from Brethren Press, and light refreshments. In addition to the in-person event, a virtual option will also be available (SEE LINKS BELOW). The keynote and "Option 1" workshops will take place in the sanctuary and will be livestreamed via YouTube. The "Option 2" workshops will be held in the library or can be joined via Zoom. The event will run from 10am-12:15pm. There is no charge for this event, and all are welcome. Mark your calendars, and watch for additional updates!
David Radcliff of New Community Project (NCP) will be the keynote presenter, on the theme "One Earth, One Chance." NCP is a non-profit with Brethren connections that works primarily in the areas of environmental sustainability and social justice issues.
Join the keynote in person or virtually via YouTube livestream:
Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren - YouTube.
Then click on “Live” and “Latest”
Following the opening and David's keynote presentation from 10-11 a.m., several breakout sessions will be available, as follows:
11:10am-11:40am - Option 1: "Continuing the Conversation" Q & A with David and discussion of how to change course as our "planetary ship" heads for a collision with the bridge into a livable future.
Join this workshop in person or virtually via YouTube livestream (the stream will run continuously following the keynote):
Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren - YouTube.
Then click on “Live” and “Latest”
Option 2: "Eco-Discipleship and Compassion Fatigue" led by Randall Westfall (Camp Emmaus manager) and Jonathan Stauffer (Polo): We all have experienced compassion fatigue as it relates to our care for creation practices. In this session we’ll explore how Biblical kinship with Christ and Creation holds the key for reframing our understanding of the current environmental crisis.
Join this workshop in person or virtually via Zoom: Please contact the office for Zoom credentials.
11:45am-12:15pm - Option 1: "Growing a Green Team," with the Highland Avenue's own 'Green Team": How can your congregation respond to creation care issues and take meaningful action? Highland Avenue's 'Green Team' will share some of their ideas and the approaches they've been taking.
Join this workshop in person or virtually via YouTube livestream (the stream will run continuously following the keynote):
Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren - YouTube.
Then click on “Live” and “Latest”
Option 2: "Eco-Blueprint Praxes for Healing" with Randall Westfall and Jonathan Stauffer: In this session, we’ll follow up from session 1 with deep creation connection practices that will move us deeper into the 4 stages of creation connection. Each of these regenerative practices/disciplines will restore us to our original design in God’s Eco-Blueprint and revive the spirit in the face of compassion fatigue.
Join this workshop in person or virtually via Zoom (the Zoom link will stay open from the first workshop, so you do not need to rejoin if already on): Please contact the office for Zoom credentials.