A Seminar looking at New Directions in Eco-Theology and Action.
Date: Saturday, August 30th, 9.30 am to 2 pm with lunch
Location: Maclaurin Chapel, 18 Princes Street
RSVP: admin@nzcis.org (for catering purposes)
Entry by koha
At a recent conference in London on Religion and Ecologies, it was noted that there are two approaches to our predicament. One is the need to change hearts, to disconnect from our utilitarian view of the world and to really love the natural world, to see our place in it, to understand our dependencies, and most importantly, to see it as the deep revelation of God.
The other approach—and they need not be distinct—is to work on it with all our tools: economic, engineering, political, social, biological, and ecological. This approach is much faster of course, and we don’t have much time. But there is always a danger with this approach that our hubris might transfix us. We might think we can solve this all by ourselves. The first approach is a necessary critique; we can’t do it all alone. We must draw on long-standing religious and social resources and on a sense of deep companionship with the natural world itself. In our connection to the natural world we might find ourselves discovering new insights and new and deeper and more authentic ways of
living.
The technical approach, however, is also necessary, and it allows the young to see that there are many, many different occupations that can contribute to the solution. Almost any profession, in fact, can be a part of the work of climate mitigation and adaptation. At a time when it is predicted that AI might take all our jobs, it is important to emphasise the necessity of human work in the world and the importance of value-based engagement with the world.
At our Saturday gathering, we will reflect together on these themes in the context of Aotearoa. We welcome your input together with short presentations from our speakers, who represent some segments not always feature in an eco-theological
seminar.
Input from
Dr. Nicola Hoggard Creegan, theologian and Director of NZCIS
Gray Baldwin, farmer, PhD student and Company Director
Vince Heeringa, marketing strategist
Cynthia Karikala, Sustainability worker at Auckland Council
Rev. Silvia Purdie, Director of Climate Anxiety Network
Nicola will report back from the Religion and Ecologies Conference, and also our New Zealand A Rocha Aotearoa New Zealand (ARANZ) hui, and will ponder whether our Treaty commitments might help to nudge us towards a more ecological understanding of nature here in Aotearoa. Nicola is also the Chair of the Board of ARANZ.
Gray is a farmer and Director and PhD student in eco-theology. He will weave together these themes: organic farming and regenerative agriculture in the NZ context; bringing NZ farmers and eco-theology into conversation; Laudato si’, Integral ecology and Te Taiao Māori perspectives – 3 expressions of a common idea? Gray is on the ARANZ Board of Trustees.
Vincent is a marketing strategist and writer specialising in sustainability and technology. He also hosts the podcast This Climate Business. His main message will be about the convergence of commercial rewards/incentives and climate action, and the conflict between purpose and profit narratives in business.
Cynthia is a graduate in conservation and climate ecology from Auckland University. She works for Auckland City Council, and her particular interest is the role of resilient communities in the work of climate mitigation and adaptation. She has also visited and worked at A Rocha Communities in India and Kenya. She will speak on the work that she has seen there and also her emphasis on community here in Aotearoa. Cynthia is also a new Trustee of ARANZ.
