EVENT
MTSO welcomes participants from across the country to ‘On Food and Faith’ conference
A select group of 100 faith leaders from across America will gather at Methodist Theological School in Ohio May 30-June 1 for a three-day conference, “On Food and Faith: Ministry in the Time of Climate Change.” All conference events will be held on the MTSO campus, 3081 Columbus Pike in Delaware, Ohio.
The conference is presented by MTSO, the Center for Earth Ethics, The Climate Reality Project and the Ohio State University Initiative for Food and AgriCultural Transformation (InFACT). Among the participants is former Vice President Al Gore, founder and chairman of The Climate Reality Project, who will deliver a climate and agriculture presentation on the second day of the conference.
Others leading plenary sessions and workshops include Heber Brown, founder of the Black Church Food Security Network; Rattan Lal, professor of soil science in the Ohio State University School of Environmental and Natural Resources; Karenna Gore, director of the Center for Earth Ethics; Casey Hoy, faculty director of InFACT; and Timothy Van Meter, associate professor and coordinator of ecological initiatives at MTSO.
“On Food and Faith” will teach participating faith leaders from 13 states and Canada how our current food system is contributing to the climate crisis, explore the impact climate change is having on farming and food security, and help empower attendees to take action on these issues in a way that aligns with their deepest values.
Conference participation is limited to faith leaders who were chosen through an application process. More information about the conference is at www.mtso.edu/foodandfaith.
Reporters, still photography and audio recording for news organizations are permitted during three plenary sessions:
• “Diminishing Returns to Land, Food and People,” a panel discussion, 10:30-11:45 a.m. Thursday, May 30.
• “Climate and Challenges on the Farm,” presentations by Rattan Lal and Al Gore, 9:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Friday, May 31.
• “Food Futures: Healing the Planet and Ourselves in the Process,” a panel discussion, 11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, June 1.
Individual interview requests may be submitted in advance of the conference to MTSO Communications Director Danny Russell at 740-362-3322 or drussell@mtso.edu.
Methodist Theological School in Ohio provides theological education and leadership in pursuit of a just, sustainable and generative world. In addition to the Master of Divinity degree, the school offers master’s degrees in counseling, social justice, theological studies and practical theology, along with a Doctor of Ministry degree.
CONTACT:
Danny Russell, communications director
drussell@mtso.edu, 740-362-3322