 To Swim with the Salmon:
Spirituality and Ecojustice in the Pacific Northwest
Date: April 25, 2009
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: LaSells Stewart Center at Oregon State University
Address: 200 LaSells Stewart Center, Corvallis, OR 97331
Getting Here
REGISTER NOW
ALL REGISTRATIONS MUST BE MADE ONLINE NO LATER THAN APRIL 20
Theme and Conference Overview:
- Why has the salmon been such a powerful symbol of the Pacific Northwest for so long?
- What do salmon tell us about this particular region and its spiritual values?
- If we listen to the salmon, what can we learn about the condition of ourselves, the natural world, and interrelated eco-communities?
- How does the salmon define who we are and shape our future?
- Can the salmon serve as a window to know the incarnate God? If so, how?
- When we pay attention to the salmon, what action is required of us to ensure the well-being of the whole natural world, humans included?
- What is our responsibility to the salmon, indeed to the whole of creation?
These are just some of the questions which we will ponder at "To Swim with the Salmon: Spirituality and Ecojustice in the Pacific Northwest."
Dr. John Hart |
Elizabeth Woody |
With the help of environmental ethicist Dr. John Hart and Native American storyteller Elizabeth Woody, we will be guided in our pursuit of these questions. Using gifts of art and music, we will explore more deeply the terrain of our spirits and celebrate the natural world. Led in discussion by wise conversation partners, we will have a chance to tell our own stories and learn from others.
Making connections with others, we will build networks of interest and responsibility that endure long after the conference is concluded.
Part academic exercise, part celebration, part contemplative experience, part action plan, "To Swim with the Salmon" will gather people from many backgrounds, from varying perspectives, with various experiences to underscore the power of the natural world to open our spirits and stimulate the theological and ethical imagination of our region.
We especially welcome to this conference academic communities of students and faculty and the the religious/spiritual communities of the Pacific Northwest. Yet we also welcome those who have no particular academic or religious affiliation.
This is a conference that will engage mind, spirit and imagination that leads to more active participation in this sacramental commons where spirit and ecojustice meet.
Click here to view Keynote Speaker biographies.
Breakout Sessions
Guided conversations will explore the conference theme and share practical ways to implement passion for ecojustice from a spiritual perspective. Each registrant will choose one from among the following options:
+ Interfaith Food and Farms Partnerships (Dan Sundseth and Liv Gifford)
+ Where Spirituality and Public Policy Meet (ELCA Bishop David Brauer-Rieke)
+ Connecting Children to Creation and Creator (John and Louise Gingerich)
+ Indigenous Perspectives of Spirituality and Earth Care (Elizabeth Woody)
+ Film: “River Ways,” a documentary about the Snake River - people, place, dams (Colin Stryker)
Throughout the conference, a quiet meditation alcove will be kept for use by conference attendees.
Please join us "To Swim with the Salmon: Spirituality and Ecojustice in the Pacific Northwest."
| Artists |
| Painter Sandy Roumagoux |
Poet David Brauer-Rieke |
| Photographer Heather( Leklem) Wells |
Filmmaker Colin Stryker |
| The Lutheran Fine Art Center |
Musician Benjamin Grimes |
| Click here to view Artists' biographies. |
Tentative Schedule
Click here to view a detailed, up-to-date schedule.
| 9:00-9:40 |
Registration & Breakfast |
| 9:40-10:00 |
Welcome Ceremony |
| 10:00-11:15 |
Keynote Speaker |
| 11:15-11:30 |
Break |
| 11:30-12:15 |
Keynote Speaker |
| 12:15-1:15 |
Lunch |
| 1:15-2:15 |
Breakout Sessions |
| |
Interfaith Food and Farms Partnerships (Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon) |
| |
Where Spirituality and Public Policy Meet (Oregon Synod Bishop David Brauer-Rieke) |
| |
Connecting Children to Creation and Creator (John and Louise Gingerich, Drift Creek Nature Center)
Indigenous Perspectives of Spirituality and Earth Care (Elizabeth Woody) |
| |
Film: "River Ways," a documentary about the Snake River - people, place, dams (Colin Stryker) |
| 2:15-2:30 |
Break |
| 2:30-3:45 |
Keynote Speaker |
| 3:45-4:00 |
Closing Ceremony |
| |
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View Conference Bibliography |
To Swim with the Salmon Conferences
Two previous "To Swim with the Salmon" conferences were sponsored by Lutheran Campus Ministry in Corvallis. The first (1995) emphasized "Ecology of Faith, Creation of Hope" and featured Cal DeWitt as keynote speaker.
The second (1996) was titled "Celebration, Hope, Action" and heard from Susan Power Bratton and Jane Lubchenko.
Like the two previous conferences, this one also is a collaboration across disciplines and religious perspectives.
Lutheran Campus Ministry at Oregon State University is once again proud to serve as host but we are indebted to a fine, diverse steering committee and generous supporters and partners.
Sponsors & Partners
Click here to view a full list of our Sponsors and Partners.
Sponsors
The Philip N. Knutson Endowment
Oregon State University Department of Philosophy
Center for the Study of Religion, Cultures and Society at Pacific Lutheran University
Lutheran Campus Ministry at Oregon State University (Luther House)
St. Mary's Catholic Church, Corvallis
Grace Lutheran Church, Corvallis
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon
Partners
Northwest House of Theological Studies, Salem
Mission of the Atonement Lutheran-Roman Catholic Parish, Beaverton
Central Lutheran Church, Portland
St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Beaverton
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon |