LENS - Lutheran Earthkeeping Network of the Synods

Caring for Creation Now! Consultation Agenda

Wednesday, November 5, 2003
Where have we been? How have commitments been carried out?

2:00 pm: Transport to St. Mary of the Lake by bus.

3:00 pm: Check-in. Refreshments. Meet and Greet. Informal time.

3:30 pm: Opening prayer/meditation.

3:45 pm: Ice breaker.

4:15 pm: Where were we 10 years ago? How far have we come?
Moderated Panel Discussion. Kaari Reierson, Moderator. Members of the Caring for Creation social statement drafting committee: Paul Lutz, Paul Bente, George Murphy, Paul Santmire, Peter Bakken.

5:30 pm Large Group Discussion. What steps has your congregation or synod taken to Care for Creation?

6:15 pm Informal dinner conversation.

7:30 pm Keynote Presentation: Jim Martin-Schramm
"Making the Linkages Between Justice, Peace, and the Integrity of Creation." Time for Questions and Answers.

8:45 pm Closing meditation/prayer.

Thursday, November 6, 2003
Where are we going? What is our vision? What are the new and emerging needs?

7:30 am Time for walk.

8:15 am Breakfast.

9:00 am Reflection/prayer.

9:15am Inez Torres Davis, Women of the ELCA. Anti-racism trainer.
A special concern: Environmental racism and classism.

9:45 am Small group work. Identify and prioritize emerging environmental
concerns. Assess the statements strengths and weaknesses in the
context of these concerns. Include in the discussion the current assets and strengths of the ELCA to address environmental stewardship issues. Do we have the policy base necessary in the social statement to address emerging issues related to bio-tech and other issues?

10:45 am Break.

11:00 am Large group discussion of small group findings.

11:45 am Panel Discussion including Q and A:
Strategies for Caring for Creation: Stepping forward as a Public Church
Rebecca Larson, Executive Director, Division for Church in Society
Karen Vagley, Director, Lutheran Office for Governmental Affairs
Dennis Frado, Director, Lutheran Office for World Community
Pat Zerega, Director, Office for Corporate Social Responsibility
Danielle Welliever, Director, Environmental Education and Advocacy

1:00 pm Lunch

2:00 pm Introduction of draft report. Peter Bakken Read draft report, walk, talk, think about draft report. Time for networking and information sharing..

4:00 pm Discussion of draft report in small groups.

5:00 pm Small group work. Identify barriers to implementation of Caring for Creation vision and commitments.

6:15 pm Dinner.

7:45 pm Large Group Discussion: The draft statement is just one strategy for addressing the ELCA’s work in caring for Creation. What other strategies could be employed? How might we work together to address the barriers, challenges and emerging issues given the current political, social and economic context inside and outside of the church?

9:00 pm Closing prayer/meditation. Handout revised draft statement

Friday, November 7, 2003

Caring for Creation Now For the Healing of the World. Reaffirming the Vision with Courage and Commitment

8:15 a.m. Breakfast and check-out.

9:00 am Reverend Trimble Gilbert: The Cross and the Caribou.
What it means to be fully Christian and fully indigenous in a fast changing world. Trimble is an Episcopal priest, tribal elder and former Chief of Arctic Village.

10: 00 am. Large Group Discussion. How shall we move forward? Finalizing our draft statement and leadership commitments from participants and Churchwide staff.

11:30 am Meditation, sending prayer.

Noon: Transport back to Churchwide office.