TAKING CARE OF OUR PLANET: What Do the Sacred Texts Teach? AN ONLINE PANEL DISCUSSION SPONSORED BY THE NEW TRIER MULTIFAITH ALLIANCE formerly ...
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April 22, 2021
TAKING CARE
OF OUR PLANET:
What Do the
Sacred Texts Teach?
AN ONLINE PANEL DISCUSSION
SPONSORED BY THE NEW TRIER MULTIFAITH ALLIANCE
(formerly the Winnetka Interfaith Council)
via ZOOM Videoconferencing at
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87173543381Taking Care of Our Planet:
What Do the Sacred Texts Teach?
AN ONLINE PANEL DISCUSSION
SPONSORED BY THE NEW TRIER MULTIFAITH ALLIANCE
(formerly the Winnetka Interfaith Council)
THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 7:00 P.M.
via ZOOM Videoconferencing at
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87173543381
Program
Musical prelude Mr. Van Gilmer
Opening prayer Rev. Jeffrey D. Braun
Welcome & Program introduction Mr. Vic Doucette
President, New Trier Multifaith Alliance
Moderator’s remarks Rev. Brian Sauder
President & Executive Director, Faith in Place
Representing the Faith of Islam Imam Abdul Malik Mujahid
Representing the Christian Faith Dr. Diane Bergant
Representing the Buddhist Faith Ms. Asayo Horibe
Representing the Bahá’í Faith Dr. Craig S. Loehle
Representing the Jewish Faith Rabbi Isaac Serotta
Question & Answer segment Rev. Brian Sauder
Closing remarks & Closing prayer Imam Ibrahim Khader
Notes:
Scriptural references are reproduced in full beginning on page 2–3.
Biographical information on each of the program’s participants can be found on pages 4–5.Program theme:
Each of the great world Faiths has its roots in a sacred scripture—a book or set
of books revered as the source and wellspring of its doctrine and teachings.
This evening’s panel discussion is fifth in a series—begun in 2015—exploring
the question, “What Do the Sacred Texts Teach?” illustrating the relevance of
these timeless words of counsel to the contemporary world and to issues of
common concern.
Planned to coincide with Earth Day 2021, this year’s panel will focus on
the guidance given by five major Faith traditions on stewardship of the
environment, addressing the issue in the context of “Taking Care of Our Planet.”
Participants will learn how they can―in practical terms―take up the role of
environmental stewards within their organizations and as partners with other
Faith communities.
The moderator will provide a brief overview and perspective on the topic, and
introduce the panel, which includes representatives of local Bahá’í, Buddhist,
Christian, Jewish, and Muslim congregations.
After introductions, panelists will briefly reference selected scriptures or
texts from their respective Faith traditions that they believe offer particular
insight and guidance regarding stewardship of the Earth. Each will describe
perspectives developed and actions undertaken by the leadership and members
of their Faith.
There will then be an opportunity for attendees to interact with panelists
through a question-and-answer period.
1From Islamic Scripture: From Christian Scripture:
The Qur’an, Surah 110: v. 1–3 Genesis 1:27–28
(The Bible, Old Testament, NABRE)
By the passage of time! Surely humanity is in
grave loss, except those who have faith, do
God created mankind in his image; in the
good deeds, and urge each other to the truth,
image of God he created them; male and
and urge each other to perseverance.
female he created them.
The Qur’an, Surah 6: v. 165 God blessed them and God said to them: Be
fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue
He is the One Who has placed you as
it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the
successors on earth and elevated some of
birds of the air, and all the living things that
you in rank over others, so He may test you
crawl on the earth.
with what He has given you. Surely your Lord
is swift in punishment, but He is certainly All-
Forgiving, Most Merciful.
From Buddhist Scripture:
The Qur’an, Surah 6: v. 38
All living beings roaming the earth and A Summary of the Teachings
winged birds soaring in the sky are of the Buddha
communities like yourselves. We have left
nothing out of the Record. Then to their Lord The Law of Interdependence, which teaches
they will be gathered all together. that we are all connected to all sentient
beings in the world. Everything and everyone
The Qur’an, Surah 6: v. 99 depends on something or someone else for
its existence.
And He is the One Who sends down rain from
The Law of Impermanence, which teaches
the sky—causing all kinds of plants to grow—
that all things are subject to change and will
producing green stalks from which We bring
eventually pass from us.
forth clustered grain. And from palm trees
come clusters of dates hanging within reach. The Four Noble Truths:
There are also gardens of grapevines, olives,
The First Noble Truth is that all beings are
and pomegranates, similar in shape but dis-
subject to Suffering.
similar in taste. Look at their fruit as it yields
and ripens! Indeed, in these are signs for The Second Noble Truth is that the cause
people who believe. of Suffering is Ignorance. The ignorance of
oneself is the greatest ignorance.
The Qur’an, Surah 2: v. 155
The Third Noble Truth is that Ignorance, the
We will certainly test you with a touch of fear cause of Suffering, can be overcome.
and famine and loss of property, life, and
crops. Give good news to those who patiently The Fourth Noble Truth is that the way to
endure. overcome Ignorance is the Eightfold Path.
2From Bahá’í Scripture: From Jewish Scripture:
Prayers and Meditations Ecclesiastes Rabba 7:13 (6th century)
by Bahá’u’lláh CLXXVI
Upon creating the first human beings, God
Whatever I behold I readily discover that guided them around the Garden of Eden,
it maketh Thee known unto me, and it saying, “Look at my creations! See how
remindeth me of Thy signs, and of Thy tokens, beautiful and perfect they are! I created
and of Thy testimonies. By Thy glory! everything for you. Make sure you don’t ruin
or devastate My world. If you do, there will be
Every time I lift up mine eyes unto Thy no one after you to fix it.”
heaven, I call to mind Thy highness and Thy
loftiness, and Thine incomparable glory and Genesis 1:28 (The Torah)
greatness; and every time I turn my gaze
to Thine earth, I am made to recognize the And have dominion over the fish of the
evidences of Thy power and the tokens of Thy ocean, the birds of the sky, and all the living
bounty. And when I behold the sea, I find that things that creep on the earth.
it speaketh to me of Thy majesty, and of the
potency of Thy might, and of Thy sovereignty Genesis Rabba 8:12 (4th century)
and Thy grandeur. And at whatever time
I contemplate the mountains, I am led to Rabbi Hanina said, “Humanity will rule
discover the ensigns of Thy victory and the over them if they deserve to; if they do not
standards of Thine omnipotence. deserve to, then they will go under and be
ruled by the evil they have created.”
Breakout presentations:
Immediately following the panel discussion, event attendees will have the opportunity to
choose one of three simultaneous breakout presentations―each lasting about 10 minutes―
on practical ways concerned individuals can become more responsible stewards of our
planet’s precious environment:
Breakout Room 1: “The Problem with Plastics: The Need for New Strategies”
Greg Frezados, Green Team Member, Winnetka Congregational Church (WCC)
Breakout Room 2: “Sustainable Practices in the Kitchen”
Dr. Sam Bawamin, Green Team Leader, Muslim Community Center
Liz Kunkle, Founder and President, Go Green Winnetka
Breakout Room 3: “How to Handle ‘Hard to Recycle’ Items”
Greg Richards, Board Representative, Temple Jeremiah
3Moderator and presenters
for this evening’s panel:
Rev. Brian Sauder Dr. Dianne Bergant, CSA
Moderator Representing the Christian Faith
As President and Executive Director of Faith in Distinguished Professor Emerita of Old Testament
Place—an Illinois nonprofit organization that Studies at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago
strives to empower people of all Faiths to be and a contributor to the publication God, Creation
leaders in caring for the Earth—Rev. Sauder’s and Climate Change, Sister Dianne, the former
passion lies in encouraging Faith communities to editor of The Bible Today, currently conducts
join in taking steps to connect the dots between workshops on biblical interpretation, spirituality,
issues of race, poverty, violence, health, and and social issues such as ecology, feminism,
environmental justice. and peace.
Rev. Sauder earned a B.S. in Natural Resources Dr. Bergant received a Ph.D. in Biblical Languages
and Environmental Sciences from the University and Literature from St. Louis University. A former
of Illinois; an M.A. in Religion from Urbana President of the Catholic Biblical Association of
Theological Seminary; and an M.B.A. from the America, she has taught and lectured extensively
University of Illinois. Ordained by the Mennonite across the United States and on several continents
Church USA, Rev. Sauder worships with the and is the author of numerous articles and books.
Chicago Community Mennonite Church.
Ms. Asayo Horibe
Imam Abdul Malik Mujahid Representing the Buddhist Faith
Representing the Faith of Islam
An emeritus member of the Board of Trustees
A former Chairperson of the Council of Islamic of the Parliament of the World’s Religions,
Organizations of Greater Chicago, Imam Mujahid Ms. Horibe is President of the Buddhist Council
is also an emeritus chair of the Board of Trustees of the Midwest, an organization for all Buddhist
of the Parliament of the World’s Religions. Long groups in Chicago and the Midwest region. A
an activist for peace and universal human rights, member of the Religious Leaders of Metropolitan
he currently leads efforts to stop genocide Chicago, she is a longtime member of the
in Burma. Heartland Sangha in Chicago and, while residing
in Evanston in 1989, served as its first President.
Educated at the University of Chicago, he is the
author of some 400 articles on religion, civil In her professional life a Registered Nurse for
rights, and public policy. He was the 1990 winner over 45 years, Ms. Horibe has also served as
of an Outstanding Academic Book of the Year a secretary for the Asian Advisory Council for
Award from the American Library Association Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White. She has
and has been selected eight times by Georgetown long been active in the Chicago metropolitan area
University as one of the world’s 500 most as a lay minister and interfaith activist.
influential Muslims.
4Dr. Craig S. Loehle Rabbi Isaac Serotta
Representing the Bahá’í Faith Representing the Jewish Faith
Principal Scientist at the National Council for Air A member of the Rabbinical staff at Highland
and Stream Improvement, Dr. Loehle works for Park’s Congregation Makom Solel Lakeside, Rabbi
the forest products industry and has authored, “Ike” is a strong advocate for the guaranteeing of
over a career spanning many decades, over 170 civil rights to all members of the human family.
peer-reviewed journal articles and scholarly He has long been active in interfaith dialogue and
papers on subjects including forestry, ecology, has taught on “Judaism and the Environment” at
climate change, and geophysics. numerous synagogues and interfaith gatherings.
At Makom, he has advanced a “Green 10
The recipient of a Ph.D. in Natural Resource Commandments.”
Management (mathematical ecology) from
Colorado State University, Dr. Loehle worked for Rabbi Serotta received his ordination after
some 14 years for the United States Department studying at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish
of Energy, in part at nearby Argonne National Institute of Religion in Jerusalem, Los Angeles,
Laboratory. He is the author of two books on and New York. He also earned a master’s degree
the Bahá’í Faith: On the Shoulders of Giants and in Jewish Education, in part at the University of
Blueprint for A New World. Southern California.
Other participants in the program:
Mr. Van Gilmer Mr. Vic Doucette
Music Director President
Bahá’í House of Worship New Trier Multifaith Alliance
An award-winning Gospel composer and singer, A Maryknoll Lay Missioners Board Member,
Mr. Gilmer has directed the Bahá’í House Mr. Doucette’s professional life was centered in
of Worship Choir for some 15 years, following work for the Catholic Church as a teacher, youth
his retirement from government service as an minister, and director of religious education.
architect. His leadership garnered the choir a Following his retirement, he and his wife, Mary,
featured performance at Carnegie Hall in 2018. founded the Social Justice Resource Center.
Rev. Jeffrey D. Braun Sheikh Ibrahim Khader
Senior Pastor Imam
Winnetka Congregational Church Muslim Community Center of Chicago
After completing his undergraduate studies, Sheikh Ibrahim Besher Khader holds a bachelor’s
Rev. Braun spent 10 years working in the world of degree in Shariah Law from the Islamic University
marketing and advertising. Impelled by a strong of Madinah, along with a bachelor’s in Chemistry
urge to enter the Christian ministry, he studied from the University of North Carolina–Charlotte.
at Yale Divinity School, eventually taking on the He has led evening prayers at mosques in four
senior pastor’s duties at WCC in 2015. states in the US.
5On the New Trier Acknowledgements:
Multifaith Alliance:
We wish to express our gratitude to Temple
Originally the Winnetka Interfaith Council— Jeremiah and its Senior Rabbi Paul F. Cohen
with a history dating back to the founding of for their kind interest in sponsoring this evening’s
an interchurch (ecumenical) organization in program. We add our warmest thanks as well
1967—the New Trier Multifaith Alliance brings to Winnetka Congregational Church, to Bahá’í
together 16 Faith communities in a continuing communities on the North Shore, and to Morton
endeavor to encourage interfaith communication Grove’s Muslim Community Center for their joint
for the enlightenment of all; to jointly participate sponsorship of the program.
in programs and other activities of common
interest; to encourage meaningful conversations We give special thanks to Temple Jeremiah’s
and relationships among clergy, leaders, and Assistant Rabbi Rachel Heaps for her expert
laity; and to work together in service to the wider guidance and assistance with the technical
community. aspects of tonight’s program.
We thank each and every one of the program
participants for their edifying and inspiring
contributions to our understanding.
Special thanks to the members of the Alliance’s
Interfaith Understanding Committee for its
months of efforts to organize this program,
particularly to Committee Co-Chairs Dr. Jena
Khadem Khodadad and Mr. Greg Richards.
Member Faith Communities
Bahá’í Faith
Beth Hillel Bnai Emunah
Christ Episcopal Church
Church of Christ, Scientist
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Wilmette
Church of the Holy Comforter
Congregation Hakafa
Congregation Sukkat Shalom
Hands of Peace
Muslim Community Center of Morton Grove New Trier Multifaith Alliance
Saints Faith, Hope and Charity Catholic Church PO Box 74
Saints Joseph and Francis Xavier Parish Kenilworth, IL 60043
Temple Jeremiah
Winnetka Congregational Church
Winnetka Covenant Church
Winnetka Presbyterian ChurchYou can also read
