The 5th Annual James Sawers Jr. Interfaith Speaker Series will be held on March 3-5, 2022. The Charleston Interreligious Council is delighted that Dr. Mary Evelyn Tucker and Dr. John Grimm, esteemed professors of Ecology and Religion from Yale University joined us to explore the topic of Faith and Climate Change. They offered a keynote, panel discussions and a student workshop during the 3-day series of events.
Please see links to recordings below:
Click here to watch the Keynote Address on The Integration of Ecospirituality and Ecojustice:
Click here to watch the Panel Discussion on Interfaith, Ecojustice and Local Community Activism:
Click here to watch the Panel Discussion on Clergy Coming Together to Combat Climate Change:
About the Event:
All events were free and open to the public. Those of all faiths and religious backgrounds are welcome to attend to be part of the conversation. Registration for the Thursday, March 3 Keynote Address and meal is required:bit.ly/faithandclimatechs. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the growing movements of religion and ecology, the effects of climate change on marginalized communities in the lowcountry, the work of local activists and of faith leaders.
In addition to the Keynote Address, we will hear from local activists and faith leaders, including Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation, Omar Muhammed, director of Lowcountry Alliance for Model Communities (LAMC), recently named one of 12 Black Leaders you should know by the Post and Courier, Alecia Brewster, Program Director of SC Interfaith Power and Light and Sustaining Way, and Ragina Scott Saunders, founder of Destiny Community Café, a pay what you can café in North Charleston.
Events include:
A Conversation with Students on “Cosmovision and Ecology”
Thursday, March 3, 2022 at 2 p.m.
Stern Center Garden, 71 George Street, (downtown) Charleston, SC 29424
This gathering of speakers and students offers the opportunity for youth to engage with, share ideas and plan with our visiting scholars. A light vegetarian snack will be offered.
Keynote Address “The Integration of Ecospirituality and Ecojustice”
Thursday, March 3, 2022 at 6:30pm
Second Presbyterian Church in Charleston, 342 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29403
Registration required bit.ly/faithandclimatechs
The call for environmental justice for communities adversely affected by pollution and climate change is rising. At the same time ecospirituality is showing us how we are part of a living Earth community. This talk explores these growing movements in religion and ecology.
A light meal will be offered following the keynote by Ragina Scott Saunders, Soul Food Chef and founder of Destiny Community Café. Registration is required: bit.ly/faithandclimatechs
A Panel Discussion on “Interfaith, Ecojustice and Local Community Activism”
Friday, March 4, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.
Alumni Center, 86 Wentworth St, Charleston, SC 29401 (on the corner of St. Philip St.)
This panel discussion will focus on local activists weighing in on the climate crisis, how it is affecting marginalized communities in the lowcountry and ways their organizations and communities are responding to it.
Speakers include:
John Grim, Co-Director, Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology,
Alecia Brewster, SC Interfaith Power and Light and Poor People’s Campaign,
Omar Muhammad, Lowcountry Alliance for Model Communities,
ReGina Scott Saunders, Destiny Community Café and
Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation (via Zoom).
Moderated by Dr. Brennan Keegan, College of Charleston Department of Religious Studies
A Panel Discussion “Clergy Coming Together to Combat Climate Change”
Saturday, March 5, 2022 at 10 a.m.
Unitarian Church in Charleston, 4 Archdale Street, Charleston, SC 29401
During this panel discussion, participants will hear from leaders representing different faith traditions discuss how their faith has brought them and sustains their work towards climate initiatives in Charleston. Speakers include:
Reverend Jeremy Rutledge, Circular Congregational church
Imam Herbert Fraser-Rahim, Al-Jami Ar Rasheed Mosque
Reverend Heather Mann, Indigo Sangha
Reverend Rebecca Hinds, Unitarian Church in Charleston
Moderator: Dr. Mary Evelyn Tucker, Senior Lecturer of Religion and Ecology at Yale University
Admission is free and all are welcome! If you would like to donate to offset the cost of the event and food, and to support the CIC, please visit https://www.cicouncil.org/give
To virtually participate in the keynote and panel discussions, use this ZOOM LINK: bit.ly/climateandfaith
