Speakers
Organize a talk. Find a speaker.
One day, Jesus said: “No man is a prophet in his own country. “(Mt 13:57). This is often confirmed when a member of the faith community rises to mobilize others (as prophets do) on saving God’s Creation. People don’t always listen. Solution: Invite a prophet who doesn’t come from your area!
This is why the Green Churches Network launched a speakers’ corner, which can refer you to qualified speakers. Locate topics and corresponding speakers in the list provided. This service only facilitates contacts and is not responsible for organizing your event.
It may also be possible to invite someone to conduct a Creation Care retreat to your faith community. We try as much as possible to help you find what you are looking for.
Topics
To book a talk, you can contact the speaker directly.
LAUDATO SI’: a revolutionary encyclical
In 2015, Pope Francis published the first encyclical on ecology. It is written for all the people on Earth, our common home, in a call to care for it. The six chapters have different approaches, from science to the Bible, from politics to education. A document to be discovered!
Speakers: Norman Lévesque, Brian McDonough
ECO-JUSTICE: putting a face on our environmental footprint
Many are not interested in environmental issues because, to them, it does not seem important to take care of inanimate objects such as air, water and soil. But when we look at the impacts of environmental degradation of life in certain vulnerable groups, we realize that there is a human face to this ecological crisis.
Speakers: Brian McDonough, Mishka Lysack
BIBLE: The Green Pages of the Bible
Get ready to read some Bible stories through the eyes of an environmentalist Noah preserving biodiversity, Jesus looks at birds and advocates simplicity, Adam cultivates and maintains the God-given garden, Jonas and other ecological prophets … Refreshing!
Speakers: Norman Lévesque, Gabriel Gagne, Sarah Harding
ECO-SPIRITUALITY: reconnecting with God’s Creation
It begins with a reminder of the Creation narrative highlighting our connection to the four elements. We change our outlook as we contemplate a creature (rock, bird, flower …). Testimony on the life of St. Francis of Assisi. How would he address the current ecological crisis?
Speakers: Norman Lévesque, Gabriel Gagne, Sarah Harding, Mishka Lysack
EUCHARIST: Communion with Creation
Eucharistic prayers (among Catholics, Anglicans and Orthodox) open our hearts to all the world created by God. Some prayers are directed to God in the Creation that provides our bread and wine. Other things could be added to the universal or penitential prayers. Discussion and exploration of solutions.
Speakers: Norman Lévesque, Gabriel Gagne, Sarah Harding
SAINTS: lovers of the multiple works of the Creator
The witnesses to the faith (the saints) are models of life as disciples of Jesus. Not only have they loved God with all their heart, and loved their neighbor as Jesus loved, but many saints have extended this love to other creatures and to the whole of Creation. St. Hildegard, St. Clement, St. Kateri, St. Kevin, Martin Luther, Amphilochios and many others.
Speakers: Norman Lévesque, Gabriel Gagne, Sarah Harding
Saint Francis of Assisi, patron saint of ecologists (for children)
Meet Saint Francis and live his story. An upper-class young man, destined for knighthood, he chose to live in poverty, close to nature and in communion with all God’s creatures. Storytelling and interactive games.
Speakers: Norman Lévesque, Gabriel Gagne, Sarah Harding
CHURCH and ENVIRONMENT: an ethical responsibility
The ecological crisis is the biggest ethical crisis of our time. The environmental movement is also the place of emergence of many existential questions, which then refer back to the Church, to God, to spiritual experience and to ethical commitment.
Speakers: Brian McDonough, Willard Metzger
ORIGINS: Why did God create heaven and earth?
Presentation of creation myths and their role in society. Comparison of the biblical Creation story and the results of scientific research on the origins of life on Earth. Implications for eco-theology and eco-spirituality.
Speakers: Roberto Chiotti, Norman Levesque, Brian McDonough
WORSHIP: praising the Creator and caring for Creation
Rather than fearing or resisting concern for the earth as a distraction from church values, discover how creation care is a natural and appropriate expression of Christian worship.
Speakers: Willard Metzger
SIMPLICITY: an inspired way of life
Overconsumption leaves a huge environmental footprint. If all the inhabitants of the earth consumed at the rate of Canadians, it would take five planets to sustain us. How did Jesus live voluntary simplicity?
Speakers: Gabriel Gagné, Sarah Harding, Norman Lévesque, Willard Metzger
ADVOCACY: salt of the earth and light of the world
Christians are not mere passive witnesses to their times. They are the leaven in the dough, the salt of the earth, the light of the world. We pray for our decision-makers (1 Tm 2:1), but we have to speak out and let them know what inspires us to work for a more just and peaceful world.
Speakers: Brian McDonough, Mishka Lysack
BUILDING: energy efficiency of a green church
Building to last is something churches are good at, and keeping the building environmentaly sustainable is the next logical step. Learn the concepts and discover useful tricks to make the the church building more energy efficient. You’ll reduce your energy bill while caring for God’s Creation.
Speakers: Roberto Chiotti
– Do you have any topics to suggest? Contact Us.
Speakers (partners)
If you wish to invite a speaker, contact that person directly.
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Mr. Roberto Chiotti, BAS M.Th.
Principal of Larkin Architect Limited, email
Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada |
Toronto and all of Ontario |
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Mr. Gabriel Gagne, DEC (natural habitat)
Devout Christian and Organic Gardner, email
Cofounder of Seti Manitoba Straw Building and Master Composter Practices Voluntary Simplicity |
Winnipeg and all of Manitoba |
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Ms Sarah Harding, B.Sc. M.Sc.
Christian environmentalist, email
Environmental Consultant Bachelor’s in environment (McGill) Master’s in environnement (UQAM) |
Montreal and all of Quebec |
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Mr. Norman Lévesque, B.Ed. M.A.(theo)
Theologian and environmentalist, email
Author of the guide Greening Your Church (Novalis) Co-author of Les pages vertes de la Bible (Novalis) Practical Theology (Creation Care Ministry) |
Montreal and all of Quebec |
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Rev. Dr. Mishka Lysack, Ph.D., M.Th.
Theologian and environmentalist, email
Healing ecological despair and grief Spirituality and the environment Mindfulness and environmental social action |
Calgary and all of Alberta |
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Rev. Willard Metzger, BTH, BA, MTS, DMIN
Theologian and environmentalist, email
Mennonite Church of Canada He manages a blog Specialises in Evangelical Worship |
Winnipeg and all of Manitoba |
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Me Brian McDonough, B.C.L. M.A.(theo)
Social ethics and eco-justice, email
University professor Director of the Social Justice Office Master’s in Theology |
Montreal and all of Quebec |
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Dr. Stephen Bede Scharper, Ph.D.
Professor of Religion and Environment, email
Author, For Earth’s Sake: Toward a Compassionate Eco. Seeking the comingling of ecological, cosmic joy with right relationship and social justice. |
Toronto and all of Ontario |
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Mr. Joe Gunn, MA
Executive Director, Citizens for Public Justice, email Topics: The Biblical Case for Creation Advocacy – rooted |
Ottawa and all of Ontario |
– Do you have any speakers to suggest? Contact Us.
How to invite a speaker
- To invite a speaker, contact that person directly.
- A talk usually lasts from 30 min. to 1 1/2 hours, with or without a question period, depending on the host’s expectations.
- The price for a talk is at the speaker’s discretion, and usually negotiable. A host usually compensates the cost of transportation and accomodation, when applicable.