New England Religious Summit on the Energy, Climate & Economic Crisis

Thursday, Nov. 20, 11:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Plymouth Congregational Church, Framingham, Massachusetts (www.plymouthchurchframingham.org)
(87 Edgell Road - near intersection of I-95 and I-90 just west of Boston. Directions at bottom)
Requested donation includes lunch and resource materials: $40

And in the evening, please join Bill McKibbon at 7:00 at Andover Newton Theological School in Newton. More details

Please join us for reflection, information and resource-sharing on the urgent and inter-related problems of energy costs, climate instability and economic decline.

What are the roles of religious communities in responding to this triple crisis? How might our traditions provide guidance and support to both policymakers and local communities?

The Interfaith Summit is a time for those in religious communities to reflect together on ways of responding to the growing crisis of energy costs and climate destabilization. We will explore religious dimensions of the energy and environmental challenges we now face. Religious and NGO leaders will share the latest information on the human, environmental and economic impacts of these growing crises. Resources for action and advocacy leadership will be shared.

We will explore stewardship, mission and justice implications – how the rapidly unfolding crisis touches many aspects of religious life and our communities. We will discuss ways of responding to immediate needs while also addressing the root causes of humanitarian disasters, rising food prices, conflict, and economic vulnerabilities inherent in our current energy system. We will share models and solutions from Europe and forward-thinking cities which reduce negative impacts on communities, health, creation and the economy while promoting community vitality and resiliency.

We will discuss the leadership roles that religious leaders and congregations can play in transformation and renewal: how our faith traditions can play critical roles in supporting creative, life-nurturing change and new, faith-based community leadership.

Bill McKibben, internationally-known author on climate issues and Methodist, will speak on his new global initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Requested donation includes lunch and resource materials: $40
Payable to Massachusetts Council of Churches at the door or in advance: MA Council of Churches, 14 Beacon Street Suite 416,Boston, Ma 02108-3760

RSVP to Rev. Jack Johnson, Executive Director, Mass Council of Churches, c/o council@masscouncilofchurches.org, 617-523-2771

For more information, contact: Tina Clarke, Environmental Ministries Committee, MA Conference United Church of Christ and Clean Water Action: tclarke@cleanwater.org, 413-863-5253.

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Directions to Plymouth Congregational Church, Framingham, Massachusetts (www.plymouthchurchframingham.org)
(87 Edgell Road - near intersection of I-95 and I-90 just west of Boston)

From the West: Take the Mass Pike to exit 12. Take route 9 east to the Edgell Rd / Framingham State College exit. At the traffic light, go left onto Edgell Rd. Plymouth Church is approximately 1/4 mile on the right hand side.

From the East: Take the Mass Pike to exit 13. Take route 30 west to route . 9. After the first traffic light, take the exit ramp toFramingham Center. Go right on Edgell Rd. Plymouth Church is approximately 1/4 mile on the right hand side.

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