Join us for a day of creation care collaboration at the beautiful Columbia Crossing River Trails Center, located right on the Susquehanna River! 

Schedule of Events

Lunch is being catered by Café 301 and acoustic music will be provided by Darryl Watkins. The following organizations will join us over the lunch break to provide resources and educational opportunities:

• Good Shepherd Creation Care Team
• Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake
• Lower Susquehanna Synod, ELCA Justice Ministries
• Lutheran Advocacy Ministries of PA
• Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
• Penn State Master Watershed Stewards

Workshop Descriptions

Ecological Christianity through Luther's Small Catechism

Many of us are familiar with the countercultural heritage of the Reformation that lifted up accessible paths to community empowerment, inspired by faith. The most well known Reformation theologian, Martin Luther, also created a handbook to teach the essentials of a personal faith using a back-to-basics approach and sets it in a broader ecological perspective. As a church that is “always reforming,” we know that the good news of God continues to encounter us in our life. We recognize the need in our times for Eco-Reformation. Each piece of Luther’s Small Catechism is followed by a learning question, then by a suggested participatory action. We will explore these inquiries in an interactive way to understand how multiple aspects of our faith are permeated with a call to creation care.

The presenter for this session is The Rev. Carla Christopher. She is co-ordained ELCA and UCC and currently serves as Assistant to the Bishop of Justice Ministries, Lower Susquehanna Synod, ELCA, and senior pastor of Heidelberg UCC in York, PA. A former diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant and faith-based community organizer, Carla has developed curriculum and spoken/facilitated across the country in the name of justice for nonprofits, regional faith bodies, and school districts/higher education institutions.

Equipping Your Green Team for Success

Whether you are just beginning to explore the idea of a creation care ministry at your congregation or have an established green team - this session is for you! In this 2 hour interactive session, you will learn about why congregational green teams are important and how to get one started (or re-vitalized). We will hear inspiring stories from local green teams and their recent accomplishments. We will then spend time in small groups thinking through next steps or developing action plans. This is an ideal time to bring your entire green team out for a day of learning, education, planning, and team building! Even if you are only able to send one representative, materials will be provided and explained which can then be taken back to share with your team. You can learn more about this session's presenter, Katie Ruth, here.

There is no cost for this event, but donations are welcome. Space is limited, so register yourself and your green team today (each person must individually register).

Registration options are as follows:

Half-day registration AM (9am-11:45am)- morning session only

Half-day registration PM (1:30pm-5pm) - afternoon session only

Full-day registration (9am-4:30pm) - morning & afternoon session, lunch included (please only select the full day option)

Lunch registration (12pm-1:30pm) - you only need to select this option if you plan on joining us for lunch and are only attending a half day

If you have specific dietary requirements, please email Katie Ruth ([email protected]) with your RSVP confirmation and request.

Location

Columbia Crossing River Trails Center

41 Walnut St, Columbia, PA 17512, United States

Parking is available on-site.

Photos by Stephanie Lower