For over forty years, Trinity Episcopal Church in New York has brought together scholars and theologians to help people understand where God is calling them today. On January 22nd through 24th, St. Paul's, Mt. Lebanon, will be a partner site for this annual conference, known as Trinity Institute. This year's theme — Creating Common Good: A Practical Conference for Economic Equality — seems to come at a perfect time.
This two-and-a-half day conference provides access to some of the pre-eminent scholars and theologians on this topic, including the Very Rev. Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury; Dr. Cornel West, professor at Union Theological Seminary and professor emeritus at Princeton; journalist and author Barbara Ehrenreich and blogger Rachel Held Evans.
Other speakers will approach the topic from their experiences in making positive change for the most vulnerable in American society. These include Jennifer Jones Austin, CEO of the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies; and Nicole Baker Fulgham, founder of The Expectations Project.
Trinity Institute at St. Paul's offers participants the opportunity to hear these speakers via a live webcast, and to meet, engage and reflect on these talks with other participants who are making a difference here in Southwest Pennsylvania.
This conference should equip attendees, lay and ordained, with practical tools and inspiration to make an impact.
“Jesus tells the Parable of the Good Samaritan to answer the question of who are our neighbors and how should we love them. This conference helps us understand the challenges faced by those neighbors negatively impacted by today's economy and how we are called to care for them,” said the Rev. Dr. Michelle Boomgaard, Associate Rector and coordinator of the event at St. Paul’s. “This conference looks at the causes of inequality more than just how to help those affected.”
Participation in Trinity Institute at St. Paul’s costs $50 for the full conference, and includes meals and educational resources. Single-day registration at reduced cost and scholarships are available. Continuing education credits are available for those attending the entire program.
Additional information and online registration can be found at www.stpaulspgh.org/creating-common-good.
Registration deadline is January 15.