Interfailh Earth Week Events

In case just one Earth Day isn't enough (I thought there were 365 of them):

Saturday, April 18 – 1 p.m. @ Carbondale Town Square Pavilion
Many Faiths, One Earth
Interfaith Earth Week Opening Ceremony
Sowing seeds of faith, compassion, and commitment for the restoration of the earth, individuals from several religious traditions represented in Southern Illinois will share prayers, songs and meditations related to the theme, “Make a World of Difference: Hearing Each Other, Healing the Earth.” Contact: Hugh Muldoon, huju@midwest.net, 549-1051 / Sam Foskey, clergy@goodshepherd-ucc.org, 457-2232.

Monday, April 20 – 7:30 p.m. @ Congregation Beth Jacob, 904 N. Norwest Dr.
Not Just Rhetoric: Interfaith Dialogue as Essential to Global Survival
The Parliament of the World Religions, a major international interfaith organization, will be meeting in Melbourne, Australia, 3-9 December 2009. The theme of this year’s conference will be “Make a World of Difference: Hearing each other, Healing the Earth.” David Christensen will speak about the history of that organization, which had its origin in Chicago in the late 1800s as an effort to bring a religious voice to international concerns. Father Bob Flannery will talk about his own experience at the 2004 Parliament in Barcelona. Key documents from the first World’s Parliament of Religions in 1893, part of Morris Library’s special collections, will be also be highlighted. Discussion will follow these presentations. Contact: Ken Starbuck, cubrats@verizon.net, 942-3986.

Tuesday, April 21 – 6 p.m. @ UCM Interfaith Center, 913 S. Illinois Ave.
Talk the Talk *Special Student Event*
An Intercultural Student Dialogue: What Concerns Us Most About the Environment
Students will share their perspectives from different faiths and philosophies on environmental issues they consider to be of critical importance in their countries and the world. Facilitator is Tim Manatt of the Council for a Parliament of the World Religions. This is an invitation-only event in order to facilitate dialogue between SIUC students. Dinner provided. Co-sponsored by SIUC's Intercultural Dialogue Student Association. Contact: Sabri, sabri@siu.edu, 573-639-0722.

Wednesday, April 22 (Earth Day) – 6 p.m. @ First Presbyterian Church, 310 S. University Ave.
The Life of Gaia and the Vision of Gaia House
Multimedia Presentation & Dinner
Gaia, a universal symbol of interfaith unity and ecological harmony, will be explored as well as the vision of the Interfaith Center’s proposed Gaia House, followed by table discussion. A simple supper of soup, bread and fruit will be provided. Contact: Hugh Muldoon, huju@midwest.net, 549-1051.

Thursday, April 23 – 6 p.m. @ UCM Interfaith Center, 913 S. Illinois Ave.
Candlelit Peace Pilgrimage
Closing ceremony for Interfaith Earth Week
A candlelit walk between the Labyrinth and Peace Pole will begin at the Interfaith Center and will include brief meditations. Contact: Hugh Muldoon, huju@midwest.net, 549-1051.

Special traveling exhibit – Parliament documents @ Morris Library
A traveling exhibit featuring key documents from the 1893 World’s Parliament of Religions will be featured at Interfaith Earth Week events. This historic collection is housed in the Special Collections Research Center of Morris Library, SIUC. For more information, contact scrc@lib.siu.edu or 453-2516.