North American Theology: Pastors call for profound change in Christian thinking; urge faithful to learn from Earth-based cultures like Native Americans, Celts & other Indigenous Peoples who value environment as sacred
Turtle Island Project: First Native American Roundtable and Regional Conference is Sept. 13-15 along shores of Lake Superior in northern Michigan
(Munising, MI) - Two Midwest pastors are calling for a fundamental change in Christian thinking about other religions, the environment, Native American heritage and the future of the planet.
The new Turtle Island Project and its "North American Theology" is a work in progress founded by Rev. Lynn Hubbard (Evangelical Lutheran Church of America - ELCA) and Rev. George Cairns (United Church of Christ).
Both pastors believe Native Americans and other Indigenous Peoples can teach Christians a lot about respect for the health of the planet and each other's religions.
Each regional conference will be preceded by Native American roundtables, the agendas being determined solely by American Indians who contact the TIP.
"One of the consequences of racism against First Nations people has been the silencing of their voices and the eagerness of Euro-Americans to speak for them - robbing them of their own freedom of speech - that we value so much," said Rev. Hubbard, founder/director of the TureteIsland Project (TIP)..
"As a result much of the Native American experience has been filtered through the lenses of a foreign culture that - not only doesn't have the right to speak for them but also lacks the ability to speak to the most fundamental realities of native experience."
TIP chairman of the board Dr.George Cairns said "many American Indians are still living in oppressive conditions - and having their voices freed can only happen - if they direct the conversation themselves."
"Americans Indians absolutely must have the lead in the kind of discussions they would like to enter into," said Cairns, who taught has taught "centering prayer" for over two decades including at a Native American cultural center and a maximum security prison.
"I am deeply concerned that much of humankind and the Earth as we know it will be gone by the end of this century," said Dr. Cairns, a professor of Practical Theology and Spirituality at Chicago Theological Seminary.
The Turtle Island Project first regional conference and Native American Roundtable is (Thursday-Saturday) September 13-15, 2007 at the Eden on the Bay Lutheran Church in Munising.
The hours are 7-10 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday.
All Native Americans are urged to contact the Turtle Island Project to set the agenda for the first roundtable
The Native American roundtable opens the conference on Thursday, followed by two days of presentations by Rev. Dr. George Cairns, a professor at Chicago Theological Seminary.
Dr. Cairns will discuss Celtic and Native American spirituality, and post-modern science.
Everyone is invited to all events and there is no charge to attend.
The Turtle Island Project has numerous conferences and seminars planned over the next six months.
A Native American roundtable will be held at 7 pm (ET) on the Thursday prior to each regional conference.
The agenda of the roundtables will be set completely by First Nations (American Indian) peoples.
All conferences, retreats and Native American roundtables will be held at Eden on the Bay, Lutheran Church, 1150 M-28 West, Munising, Michigan.
All seminars will be held at Upfront and Company, 102 East Main Street, Marquette, Michigan.
Call 906-387-2520 - or 906-475-5068
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Related websites:
Turtle Island Project main website:
http://www.turtleislandproject.org
Turtle Island TV (blipTV)
http://turtleislandtv.blip.tv/
Turtle Island TV (youtube)
http://www.youtube.com/MunisingWhiteHorse
Turtle Island (myspace)
http://www.myspace.com/TurtleIslandProject
Turtle Island Project websites/Blogs:
http://groups.msn.com/WhisperingTurtle
http://turtleislandproject.wordpress.com/
email:
TurtleIslandProject@charter.net
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Rosebud Tribe official website:
http://www.rosebudsiouxtribe-nsn.gov/
1973 Wounded Knee Incident & the earlier 1890 massacre of 146 Indians by government troops:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wounded_Knee_Incident
http://www.bookrags.com/wiki/Wounded_Knee_Incident
Pine Ridge Reservation Info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine_Ridge_Reservation
Pine Ridge shocking photos:
http://www.aaronhuey.com/
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Turtle Island Project: Fall 2007 - Spring 2008 Schedule:
Grand Island Conference and Retreat Program
The Grand Island Conference and Retreat Program seeks to develop new theological resources and spiritual practices that reflect the place we inhabit, the continent of North America called "Turtle Island" by indigenous communities. It is our hope that these resources and practices will help imagine a new North American Theology with the assistance of First Nations peoples.
We seek to encourage mutual understanding and respect between these communities in order to address issues of health and healing, religion and science, practical theology and environmental issues. We shall accomplish this task by sponsoring regional and national conferences, local seminars, and regional retreats centering on these concerns.
This booklet lists the events sponsored by the Grand Island Conference and Retreat Program for the Upper Peninsula of Michigan during the upcoming year. It is our hope that these events will not only stimulate conversations on the issues, but also help to build ecumenical and interfaith communities.
Seminars will be held at Upfront and Company, 102 East Main Street, Marquette, Michigan.
All conferences, retreats and Native American roundtables will be held at Eden on the Bay, Lutheran Church, 1150 M-28 West, Munising, Michigan.
Rev. Dr. Lynn Hubbard
Director, Turtle Island Project
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About the Conferences
Grand Island is one of the most beautiful and largest islands in Lake Superior. Inhabited for generations by the Ojibwa peoples, it is today the Grand Island National Recreation Area with a wilderness character.
In keeping with such a tranquil and beautiful place, Grand Island Conferences are planned so that all participants will have the opportunity to experience its beauty and power.
The conferences are unique in that they are planned to not only stimulate the intellect, but also provide the aesthetic and spiritual understandings usually associated with a retreat setting.
We will not only be participating in stimulating theological conversations on topics of great importance, but we shall also partake of the beauty of the lake, the island, and the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
We will be taking boat cruises along Lake Superior, hiking in the park and listening to lectures on the parks natural and cultural history.
All of this will take place in and around the community of Munising, Michigan, one of the most beautiful natural settings on Lake Superior.
All Seminars will be held at Upfront and Company, 102 E. Main St, Marquette, Michigan
Conferences and Retreats will be held at Eden on the Bay Lutheran Church, 1150 M-28 West, Munising, MI.
For complete information on the events, please visit our website: turtleislandproject.org
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*** A Native American roundtable will be held at 7 pm (ET) on the Thursday prior to each regional conference - and at others times TBA.
The agenda of the roundtables will be set completely by First Nations peoples.
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Regional Conference - Fall 2007
Ecology Series
September 13-15, 2007
Celtic Spirituality, Ecology, and Participative Consciousness
Recreating an Ancient Wisdom Tradition of Relationship
Rev. Dr. George Cairn
Chicago Theological Seminary
Thursday, Sept 13 (Native American Roundtable)
7 - 10 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 14
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 15
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
At this conference, we will examine the integration of Paleolithic Consciousness, Celtic Spirituality, Contemporary Spirituality, and Psychology.
We will be examining ideas and meditating in ways that lead to experiencing the world as not separate from ourselves—no inside, no outside, all in relationship.
We will be reading a selection of works by Calvin Luther Martin, J. Phillip Newell, and Gregory Bateson.
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Native American Theology -- Seminar Series
In the Spirit of the Earth - Ecology and Liberation
Tuesdays - November 6, November 13, November 20, and November 27
7 - 10 p.m.
A seminar examining the ecological crisis and the contribution of Native American theology toward a solution.
In this seminar, we will be reading a selection of works from Leonardo Boff, Vine Deloria, Jr., George Tinker and Steve Charleston.
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Regional Ecumenical Retreat - Fall 2007
Quest for Harmony: The Contemplation of Nature in the Christian tradition
Friday, November 9
9 a.m.- 4 p.m.
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Local Seminar Offerings - Fall 2007
Health and Healing -- Evening Discussion Series
Tuesdays - October 23 and October 30
7 - 10 p.m.
King, Warrior, Magician, Lover: Rediscovering the Archetypes of the Mature Masculine
Two evenings of exploration into the works of Dr. Robert Moore, Jungian Analyst, and one of the founders of the men's movement in the United States.
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Local Seminar Offerings - Winter 2007 - 2008
Religion and Science -- Evening Discussion Series
Tuesday, December 4
7 - 10 p.m.
Life is a Miracle: Reflections on the Work of Wendell Berry
An evening of conversation on the poet and author who has proven time and again a writer of brilliant moral imagination.
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Religion and Science -- Seminar Series
In the Absence of the Sacred: Science as Myth and Religion
Tuesdays - March 4, March 11, March 18, March 25
7 - 10 p.m.
A seminar on the current state of the relationship between science and religion.
In this seminar, we will read selected works from Ian G. Barbour, Wendell Berry, Joseph Campbell, David Leeming, and Ursula Goodenough.
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An Ecumenical Retreat - Spring 2008
The Pipe and Christ: Native American Spiritualities and Christianity
Friday, March 28
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
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Local Seminar Offerings - Spring 2008
Health and Healing - Evening Discussion Series
Tuesday, April 22
7 - 10 p.m.
The Healing Circle: Spirituality and Sexual Healing - The Role of Spirituality in the Therapeutic Process.
An evening of reflection on the role of ritual process in the healing of juvenile sex offenders.
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Religion and Science - Seminar Series
The Flight of the Wild Gander
Tuesdays - May 20, May 27, June 3, June 10
7 - 10 p.m.
A Series of Conversations on the Nature of Mytho-Poetic Language, Fundamentalism, and the Decline of Christianity.
We will be reading selected works from Mircea Eliade, Joseph Campbell, David Leeming, Calvin Luther Martin.
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Regional Conference - Spring 2008
Religion and Science Series:
Thursday, Friday, Saturday
May 29 - 31, 2008
The Sacred Depths of Nature - The Politics of Religion and Science
Dr. Richard Busse
Indiana University Northwest
Thursday, May 29 (Native American Roundtable)
7 - 10 p.m.
Friday, May 30
10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Saturday, May 31
10 a.m.- 2 p.m.
Models for interpreting the relationship between religion and science will be discussed by reviewing the history of First Amendment science/religion litigation and by discussing the theological impact of these decisions, all for the purpose of gaining insight into the interplay of religion, culture, and politics.
Background Text: Edward Larson's "Summer for the Gods: The Scope's Trial and America's Continuing Debate Over Science and Religion."
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National Conference - Summer 2008
Native American Theology Series
Place and Time of Conference to be announced
A conference on the premiere Native American Theologian of our times, George E. "Tink" Tinker. Mr. Tinker is Professor of Indian Cultures and Religious Traditions at Iliff Theological Seminary in Denver, Colorado and is an enrolled member of the Osage Nation. Among his many publications are Missionary Conquest: The Gospel and Native American Cultural Genocide (Fortress Press, 1993) and Native American Theology (co-authored, 2001).
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For More Information
Turtle Island Project
P.O. Box 360
Munising, Michigan
46982
Email:
TurtleIslandProject@charter.net
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Seminars will be held at Upfront and Company, 102 East Main Street, Marquette, Michigan.
All conferences, retreats and Native American roundtables will be held at Eden on the Bay, Lutheran Church, 1150 M-28 West, Munising, Michigan.
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