The registration deadline for the Peacemaking Pre-conference Gun Violence, Gospel Values:   Mobilizing in Response to God’s Call and Conference Growing Christ’s Peace at the Big Tent is extended to JUNE 15.  Peacemaking registration scholarships funds are still available on a first come, first serve basis through June 15.  Scholarship applicants need to register for the Big Tent while awaiting scholarship approval.  No registration funds will be required, simply select the scholarship option.   Although registration for the children and youth programs is closed, a few spaces are available; parents/guardians can contact the G. A. Meeting Service.   Please register online, or download a registration form to complete and return. Contact the G.A. Meeting Service by email or at (800) 728-7228, 2417 if you have difficulties registering.

The cut–off date for reservations in the Big Tent hotels is JUNE 3.  Rooms may continue to be available after this date, but to ensure access to the conference rates ($99/night at the JW Marriott, $97/night at the Marriott Downtown), reserve lodgings as soon as possible online or by calling (800) 266-9432 and specifying “Presbyterian Church Big Tent” as you speak with a reservations agent.

via presbyterian.typepad.com

Environmental Ministries is excited to be presenting workshops at and helping to sponsor the upcoming Presbyterians for Earth Care (PEC) Conference.  Register now.    Be sure to register by June 1 for Early Registration Discount! The event will be a wonderful time of learning, worship, fellowship, and networking with other Presbyterians working on earth care.  Read more about the conference from PEC:

2011 National PEC Faith & Environment Conference

"God's Earth: Too Big to Fail?  An Eco-Justice Conversation Among Faith, Science and Culture" August 31 - September 3, 2011, at Highlands Presbyterian Camp and Retreat Center in the mountains of Colorado. 

Keynote speakers include Dr.  William Brown, author of The Seven Pillars of Creation: The Bible, Science and the Ecology of Wonder; Dr. Marcia Ishii-Eiteman, senior scientist and director of sustainable foods at the Pesticide Action Network; Carol Raffenspurger, Executive Director of the Science and Environmental Health Network; Dr. Hayes, Professor with expertise in amphibian biology at the University of California Berkley; Dr. Holmes Rolston III, environmental ethics scholar; Dr. John E. Ikerd, professor emeritus of agricultural economics at the University of Missouri Columbia.

Special thanks to our conference sponsors, including Environmental Ministries, the Presbytery of Olympia, the Presbytery of the Inland Northwest, Second Presbyterian of Little Rock, and Second Presbyterian Church Indianapolis.  

Registration is now open at $125.00 and can be completed online here.  Be sure to register by June 1 for Early Registration Discount!  Get all the latest info on the conference on the "Too Big to Fail" blog  here.

 Featured Speakers and Leaders:

Dr. William P. Brown, Professor, Conference Plenary Moderator and Worship Leader

• Recent Work to be discussed at Conference: The Seven Pillars of Creation: The Bible, Science, and the Ecology of Wonder

Tevyn East of The Affording Hope Project, Conference Creative Artist

• Will perform Leaps & Bounds 

Dr. Tyrone B. Hayes, Professor, Conference Plenary Presenter

• Click the above link to learn more about his interests, research, and publications

Dr. Marcia Ishii-Eiteman, Senior Scientist of PANNA, Conference Plenary Presenter

• Check out her blog and learn more about her research

Dr. John E. Ikerd, Professor, Conference Plenary Presenter

• Click above link to learn more about his interests, research, and publications

Carolyn Raffensperger, M.A., J.D., Conference Plenary Presenter

• Executive Director of Science & Environmental Health Network

Dr. Holmes Rolston, Professor, Conference Plenary Presenter

• Click link above to learn more about his interests, research, and publications

Rev. Stacy Smith Conference Music Leader

Sustainable Pathways: Creation Care and Best Practices for Camp and Retreat Ministries will take place September 19-23, 2011 at Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center in Little Rock, Arkansas.   

The conference will provide participants with ideas for incorporating sustainability into their camp and conference centers in many areas, including maintenance, facility planning, energy efficiency programs, and food service.  

Download the event flyer and register for the event at Ferncliff's website.

The event is endorsed by the Presbyterian (PCCCA), United Methodist (NCRC),and Evangelical Lutheran (LOM) camp and retreat ministry networks.  

Camp and Conference Centers are a natural partner for environmental sustainability education and practices, and it has been exciting to see the increased focus on these issues over the past couple of years.  Read about the Green Pre-Event at the PCCCA Conference in 2009 and the Green Leaf Seal for Camp and Conference Centers that was launched at the PCCCA Conference in 2010.  The Eco-Stewards Program for young adults (which will take place soon in Montana - more on that soon) is a partnership between PCCCA and Presbyterians for Earth Care - another way that camp and conference centers are partnering to address sustainability issues.