When: Thursday July 17- Saturday, July 19, 2008
Where: Central Congregational United Church of Christ
2676 Clairmont Road
Atlanta, GA 30305
Directions
Lodging: Red Roof Inn, 1960 N. Druid Hills Road, Atlanta, Ga. 30329
2 double beds per room: 58.99 for 1 person, 63.99 for 2 people, 68.99 for 3 people, 73.99 for 4 people.
For reservations at the group rate please call 1-800-733-7663 and ask for UCC Environment Conference rates by June 17, 2008. Regular rates apply after 6/17/08.
Conference Fee: $45.00 per person. Some scholarships available. Includes Thursday dinner, Friday lunch, all programs and materials including field trips.
For Additional Information: contact Betsy Flory at btflory@aol.com
Schedule
Thursday
6:30 PM Service of Celebration and Thanksgiving for the Hospitality Earth extends to all beings. God’s creation of the world is an intrinsically hospitable act, and the earth reflects God’s hospitable character.
7:30 PM Dinner (locally produced and/or organic meal)
Dine with local people who can speak of their practices of hospitality to the earth: local organic farmers, Slow Food representative, local food co-op representative, Georgia Organics, representative from local co-op market, etc.
7:45 PM Have conference participants from each table report back on the activities of the guests at their table.
8:15 PM After dinner presentation
8:45 PM Q&A
9:15PM Closing Prayers
Friday
8:30 AM Morning Worship and Scripture Reflection
A theological reflection on dominion and hospitality; Dominion practiced outside the character of God results in loss of hospitality for all – earth and human and fellow creatures
9:15 AM Break
9:30AM Small Group Workshops and Discussions
How do we practice hospitality for the creation through our policies and personal decisions?
Local Issues: Water, Transportation, Deforestation, Land Use Management, Carbon Footprints, Food, Shelter and Climate Change:
Personal Responses of Hospitality
Church Responses of Hospitality
Corporate Responses of Hospitality
10:45 AM Break
11:00 AM Small Group Workshops and Discussions
12:15 PM Lunch (catered, local and/or organic)
1:15 PM Field Trips – TBA
4:00 PM Plenary/Small Group Discussion
How do we measure the work done? How will we know if we have accomplished something? What would a “Rule of Hospitality” look like for our churches? For our communities? Work in small groups and come back to share.
5:00 PM Closing Prayers
Release for Dinner in local restaurants
Saturday
8:30 AM Plenary - Prayers
Overcoming the “Bystander Effect”
How will you respond?
Commit to do: personally
In your church
In your school
In your community
Commit to advocate for:
In your church
In your school
In your community
Nationally
Globally
Resources for response
9:45 AM Break
10:00AM Service of Confession, Repentance and Commissioning
Reaffirmation of Baptism
11:00 AM Departure
11:00 – 2:00 Optional Box Lunch and Service Project TBA
