WCC is co-hosting an Interfaith Earth Day Event

Join TONIGHT, 7:00-8:30 p.m., for Taking Care of Our Planet: What Do the Sacred Texts Teach?, a program of the New Trier Multifaith Alliance Interfaith Understanding Committee, co-sponsored by WCC, Temple Jeremiah, and the Muslim Community Center. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87173543381

This free program features speakers from a variety of faiths focusing on the guidance of major faith traditions regarding environmental stewardship. Participants will learn how to take up environmental stewardship, both within their own houses of worship and in cooperation with other faith communities.

The Rev. Brian Sauder, president and executive director of Faith in Place, will moderate.

The panelists:

Christian Perspective:

Dianne Bergant, C.S.A., Ph.D., professor of Old Testament studies at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Contributor to God, Creation and Climate Change, Sister Dianne conducts workshops on biblical interpretation, biblical spirituality, and social issues such as ecology, feminism, and peace.

Baha’i Perspective:

Craig Loehle, Ph.D., principal scientist at the National Council for Air and Stream Improvement.  Dr. Loehle conducts computer modeling of forest growth and global climate change research. He worked in the Environmental Research Division at Argonne National Laboratory and has authored 100+ peer-reviewed journals on subjects including forestry, ecology, and geophysics.

Buddhist Perspective:

Asayo Horibe, President, Buddhist Council of the Midwest, an organization of all Buddhist groups in Chicago and the Midwest. Ms. Horibe is a long-time member of the Heartland Sangha in Chicago.

Muslim Perspective:

Imam Malik Mujahid, founding chair, Sound Vision Foundation; former chair, Parliament of the World’s Religions.  Imam Mujahid’s foundation is the leading producer of educational content on Islam and Muslims and also produces Muslim radio programming for adults and children. He has been selected seven times since 2011 as one of the 500 most influential Muslims in the world. He is former chairperson of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago.

Jewish Perspective:

Rabbi Isaac Serotta, Congregation Makom Solel  Lakeside, Highland Park.

“Rabbi Ike” has taught on the topic of Judaism and the environment at synagogues and interfaith groups for many years. At Makom, he has published and taught “Green 10 Commandments.”

Following the program there will be three half-hour breakout rooms:

• The Problem with Plastics: The Need for New Strategies (with Greg Frezados of WCC)
• Sustainable Practices in the Kitchen (with WCC member Liz Kunkle and a doctor from MCC)
• How to Handle Hard to Recycle Items (with Greg Richards of Temple Jeremiah)

For more information, visit http://ntmalliance.org/activities/.