On April 21, the Episcopal Church will sponsor a forum on a critical topic: The Intersection of Poverty and the Environment. Originating from St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral in Salt Lake City, UT, the two-hour ecumenical forum will be live webcast beginning at 10 am Mountain (9 am Pacific, 11 Central, noon Eastern).

“Through The Intersection of Poverty and the Environment, we will explore the differential effects of environmental degradation and changing climate patterns on the poor – in this country and around the world,” Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori said. 

The Intersection of Poverty and Environment aligns with the Anglican Five Marks of Mission, specifically “To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth.”

“April 21 is the day before Earth Day, when the world stops to contemplate the relationships between humanity and God’s creation,” commented Bonnie Anderson, president of the House of Deputies.

Participants

Moderated by Kim Lawton of PBS’s Religion and Ethics NewsWeekly, featured speaker at the forum will be Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori, who was an oceanographer prior to ordination and is well-versed in environmental matters.

Anderson, author of Spirituality and the Earth: Exploring Connections and Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources, will be a key panel member along with experts in the fields of the environment and poverty, as well as ecumenical representatives.

The forum will feature speakers, videos, and thought-provoking discussion.  Viewers will be able to submit questions to the participants during the live webcast.

Resources

Resources such as bibliography, materials for community and individual review, websites, discussion questions, Sunday school lessons, environmental resources will be available.

The forum is ideal for group watching and discussion, or on demand viewing for Earth Day observations as well as Sunday School, discussions groups, community gatherings, and other get-togethers.

The event leads the way in implementing the recommendations of the Environment and Climate Change Committee of the President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships to hold regional conferences on engaging faith and community groups in environmental stewardship.

For more information contact Neva Rae Fox, Public Affairs Officer, publicaffairs@episcopalchurch.org.

The Episcopal Church: www.episcopalchurch.org

Diocese of Utah: http://episcopal-ut.org/

Religion and Ethics NewsWeekly: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/

Anglican Five Marks of Mission: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/page/five-marks-mission