Milwaukee Area Creation Care Summit

Vital Stats

Allyson G

Hubertus, WI

people helped2000
People Doing It 116

The Problem

It's easy to see that the Earth is in trouble. What's not so easy to see is our role in caring for this groaning Earth. Like all citizens of this planet, Christians are intimately connected to the well-being of our ecosystems, whether we know it or not. As Christians, though, we have a unique calling to "till and keep" the Garden: to live in a way that allows all Creation (human and nonhuman) to flourish. The theology behind caring for Creation is clear, but the hard part is acting on that theology as a united community. The Milwaukee area has it's struggles, environmentally and socially, and the Church is called to be a part of the solution to those problems. It's time to get together and get some dialogue going between our churches, students, community leaders, and residents.

Plan of Action

The Creation Care Summit will consist of a few days, many issues, and many individuals contributing and learning...all to build up our one community of faith. Students, community members, and leaders of national nonprofit organizations will lead sessions on: Creation Care Theology; Current state of the Environment; Environmental Justice; Mountain-Top Removal and the Christian Response; Sustainable Living at Church, Home, and School (interactive workshop with practical steps to take); Creating Dialogue in Churches and Schools; and Moving past Dialogue to Action. Through speakers, workshops, and time to talk and network, participants will grow in their knowledge of Creation Care and desire to "till and keep" the Earth. They'll come away with relationships and resources to keep the movement going once they leave.

Project Updates

Registration is now open for the Creation Care Summit! Check out the flier and schedule of events here, then contact Allyson to find out more information or to get registration materials: agreen@ymcamke.org or 262-251-9080.

It's going to be a great event! Lots of learning and sharing will happen, that's for sure.

Ben DeVries from an organization called Not One Sparrow has been added to the list of breakout session presenters! His session will focus on the integral role which animal welfare and stewardship issues play in our broader calling to care for creation.

To learn more about Ben and Not One Sparrow, visit www.notonesparrow.com

The schedule of events is starting to come together for the Creation Care Summit! The event will kick off on Friday night, April 8, with opening remarks by Ed Brown (Care of Creation out of Madison, WI)entitled "What Role does the Christian Church have in responding to the environmental crisis?"

Other presentations and sessions are in the works, and a schedule should be ready shortly. In the meantime, registration is open and opportunities are still available to get involved with this project. To find out about registration or opportunities to serve, contact Allyson at agreen@ymcamke.org.