faith AND science: Climate Change and Environmental Stewardship

Let's get together and ask the really hard questions and talk about uncomfortable things to challenge our growth in understanding and character.  

The ITE Project presents the 'faith AND science series' -- times when we get together, share a meal and work out what the role of faith and science are in our lives.

Upon arriving, please enjoy an elegant hot chocolate bar while settling in for a day of exploration.  A scientist will present on the topic of climate change and how it is affecting us now. A transitional deacon with knowledge and interest in climate change will then present how our faith is impacted by this evidence and what we are responsible for as stewards of creation. The facilitator, Erin Bucan, will help us debrief the information from both sides to help us better absorb what we are learning. There will be time for discussions over a catered lunch and afterward a time of Q&A for both presenters. There will also be an opportunity for Adoration and prayer for those who desire it.

For our first conference, we will discuss Environmental Stewardship. Climate change is an important topic and extremely important to understand. Our presence here on earth directly influences those who come after us. This topic also threads across political and moral landscapes and can make it a bit messy to discuss. ITE finds this challenge to be good and wants to facilitate conversations around it.

*RSVP required for planning purposes*

Background of the Presenters

Religious, Deacon Dominic Gideon:  Dc. Dominic Gideon is a transitional deacon assigned at St. John Vianney Parish in Mentor and is anticipating priestly ordination this May. He grew up in Cleveland Hts, entered Borromeo Seminary out of high school, and is finishing up his theological studies at St. Mary Seminary. From his youth, Dc. Dominic has been interested in how the Catholic faith informs one's relationship with creation and the global community. He was active in environmental and humanitarian efforts in high school, participating in Catholic Schools for Peace and Justice and organizing events such as an ecological speaker series and an ethical pop-up market. In college, he was a leader in the John Carroll Fair Trade club, advocating for a greater respect for workers and the earth in the economy. And at St. Mary Seminary, he has put a good deal of thought and study into the theology of environmentalism and its practical application in the moral life.

Faciliatator, Erin Buchan:    Erin is a local nurse educator. In this role, she frequently creates innovative curriculum through evidence-based science and adult-learning principles for staff, and clinically debriefs real and simulated crisis situations to develop knowledge and practice growth. She brings her skill set forward to this event as a facilitator to encourage discussion on the topics.