ARRCC has been invited by Townsville’s Anglican Bishop Bill Ray to give workshops for people of faith who are concerned about global warming.

 Justice, Climate &  Responding Ethically

Sunday 19^th November, 11.30am – 4pm

Please arrive at 11 for an 11.30 start. 

Holy Trinity Anglican Church hall,

75 Herbert St, Bowen. 

In this workshop we will invite sharing of participants’ feelings around the threat to the Earth’s climate system.

Grounded in our faith traditions, how can we respond ethically? We’ll share some inspiring examples of people of faith who have found various meaningful ways to respond.

Finally, we will share why ARRCC is standing against new coal mining projects, including Adani’s, and invite your participation in a discussion. 

Facilitators: Thea Ormerod & Tejopala Rawls 

Cost is by donation. Morning tea & vegetarian lunch will be provided.

RSVP: Thea Ormerod on 0405 293 466 or [email protected]

Justice, Climate and Responding Ethically is a collaborative, multi-media workshop in which we explore what a faith-based, ethical response to global warming might look like in this time and place.

Information about global warming can be overwhelming, so we start with acknowledging and validating our emotional responses. We then explore the ethics of climate change, building a sense of our shared morality and values.

We will share some inspiring stories of people taking action, from local communities who have made their operations more sustainable to people collectively standing up for a better future for coming generations.

Understanding that Adani’s Carmichael mine project is a sensitive issue locally, we will share why and how ARRCC is standing against it. This will open the way for a facilitated dialogue firmly grounded in mutual respect.

Thea Ormerod is a practicing Catholic, semi-retired social worker, grandmother of seven and has been President of the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change for ten years. She is a long-time social justice advocate and experienced workshop presenter. As a social worker, Thea specialized in counselling and group therapy. She now works for ARRCC as a volunteer, primarily as a community organizer.

Tejopala Rawls is an ordained Buddhist in the Triratna tradition, who has worked in the environmental movement for most of the past twenty years. He is a climate change leader within a worldwide Buddhist community. Since starting his role with ARRCC, Tejopala was part of an interfaith delegation that met with Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg, organised a Candlelit Vigil in Melbourne and is running the current ARRCC crowdfunding appeal. 

Feedback from ARRCC workshops

Evaluations from previous ARRCC workshops have shown strong appreciation from participants:

• Most frequent kind of comment: The best part was sharing with like-minded people
• The best aspect of the workshop was listening to other people, their experience and struggles
• The facilitator was very gentle and welcoming
• Challenging
• Leaders’ expert knowledge of the subject
• Great experience and follow-up discussion
• Creative, dynamic discussion flowed in an atmosphere of acceptance and respect for others.