Walking Gently On the Earth

with Lisa Graham McMinn

Seminar by the Sea is an annual study-oriented retreat focusing on authors or topics of spiritual significance that can be investigated in-depth in a weekend.

Dates: October 29-31, 2010

Cost: $200 deluxe, $150 regular (subtract $10 if pre-registered by October 1)

Quakers have historically been counter-cultural. Before other Christians came on board they fought against slavery, for women’s emancipation, sweat-shop reform, and for an ethic of care that extends to creation. Quakers hold a consistent respect for life, peace, equality and justice that have guided Christian thinking on social controversies of the day.  One of those issues in this day is Creation Care.

As Christians we believe God crafted a good Earth that fosters the flourishing of life, and that humans are made in God’s image, and serve as God’s representatives on Earth.  Yet in our particular socio-cultural context, we have to be intentional to represent God on Earth by living in ways that promote flourishing -- not just of our lives, but those of our neighbors around the world, and the creatures, flora, and fauna that also call this place home.  Perhaps we need permission to fall in love with Creation, to see Earth more nearly the way God might.  

• Why is Creation care a tough issue for a lot of Western Christians to embrace?
• What does it mean to be responsible consumers, for instance, to eat “just” food?  (And do I love my neighbor best by purchasing fairly traded products grown abroad, or ones grown locally?).
• What is sustainable growth and how is that related to economic development, population growth, and my lifestyle choices?
• How can we untangle the politics from the science regarding global climate change? 
• Why is climate change so controversial? Besides being granted permission to love creation and given heady things to think about, what can I do?
• Where is there hope?

2010 Seminar by the Sea speaker Lisa Graham McMinn is the author of several books including The Contented Soul and the forthcoming book Walking Gently on the Earth. She is also a professor at George Fox University.

Housing Options – Adult & Family Conferences
A choice of housing options! Choose either our regular, sleeping bag-style accommodations or pay a bit more and stay in Pacific Woods Lodge, complete with private baths, bath towels, bed linens and flannel comforters. You decide – regular or deluxe!

Please try to register by October 1 so we can send you some materials to read in preparation for the weekend.

For program-related questions or scholarship information, please call
Seminar by the Sea director Ken Beebe (503-355-2284).