Virginia Episcopalian Magazine Summer 2013 Issue | Page 29

Interfaith Conference on Food Sustainability Martha Burford “ ome you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom C prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.” Matthew 25:34-35 The Diocese of Virginia Stewardship of Creation Committee will be the host for an upcoming interfaith conference on the challenge of food sustainability, Saturday, September 21, at Church of Our Saviour, Charlottesville. Participants will question, debate, pray and learn about preserving biodiversity, forests, crops and water. Richard Cizik, president of the New Evangelical Partnership for Common Good, will serve as keynote speaker. An active environmentalist, Cizik is just one of several notable presenters. Michael Rodemeyer, former director of the Pew Initiative for Food and Biotechnology and currently director of applied science engineering at the University of Virginia, will join Tal Day, committee vice-chair, to discuss the church, new biology and the challenge of climate change. Day is a member of the Episcopal Church’s Executive Council Committee on Science, Technology and Faith. Aimee Bushman of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation will address the Bay and ocean health, while James Baird of the American Farmland Trust will discuss preserving farmland and cultivating farmers. The day will include a menu of sustainable aquaculture and a chance to speak with representatives from the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences. “Attendees should gain resources and inspiration for their spiritual development,” said Day. “Consumption choices can serve as models and help shift the Earth’s course toward a sustainable environment in which humanity and all creation can flourish.” Visit caringforgodscreation.net for info. t Are you a Stewardship of Creation Committee Parish Partner? Do you receive our weekly, topical e-mails on being even better stewards of God’s – creation? Sign up for our weekly eBlasts with Craig Dubishar (SoCC Chair) at [email protected]. 2013 Diocese of Virginia Mustard Seed Grant Recipients A RISE Campus Ministry at George Mason University Stop Hunger Now Event Disability-Accessible Bathroom Buck Mountain, Earlysville Christ Church, Glen Allen Church of the Holy Comforter, Richmond Girls Boarding Facilities for Hope and Resurrection Secondary School in Sudan Disability-Accessible Facilities Haiti Micah Project Vocational Training Center Grace, Alexandria Holy Cross, Dunn Loring Immanuel Old Church, Mechanicsville Meade Memorial, Alexandria Parishes of Region II Native American Ministry Team Building Restoration Project Parishes of Region X Support for Area Congregations Together in Service St. Alban’s, Annandale St. George’s, Fredericksburg St. James the Less, Ashland St. John’s, King George St. Paul’s, Haymarket St. Peter’s, Purcellville St. Thomas’, McLean The Falls Church, Falls Church Trinity, Charlottesville Youth Computer Training in Tanzania Parish House Security Restoration Project for Facility Upgrades Facility Improvements to Accommodate Hypothermia Shelter God’s Shared Abundance Food Pantry Improvements Episcopal Campus Ministry Church/Sacristy Earthquake Repair Church Door Replacement Project Episcopal Elementary School Expansion in Liberia Community Garden Project Dedicated Youth Formation Room Kitchen Improvements for Food Ministry Summer 2013 / Virginia Episcopalian 27