EXPLORING ETHIOPIA: Churches and Challenges

DAY 1

September 14, 2018

ETHIOPIA: CHRISTIANITY, COMMUNITY, CHURCHES AND CHALLENGES

8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Tickets: $40 registration fee includes lunch and afternoon reception. (Day 1 only)

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Schedule

8:30-9:15 a.m.

Registration

9:15-9:30 a.m.

Welcome and Introduction

Roberta Ahmanson

9:30-10:15 a.m.

KEYNOTE

The Living Churches of an Ancient Ethiopian Kingdom

Mary Anne Fitzgerald

Journalist on African affairs and author of Ethiopia: The Living Churches of an Ancient Kingdom, 2017

10:15-10:45 a.m.

The Ethiopian Orthodox Täwahədo Church: Glimpses into Its History and Tradition

Fr. Dr. Mebratu K. Gebru

Orthodox School of Theology at Trinity College, University of Toronto

10:45-11:00 a.m.

Break

11:00 a.m.-11:30 p.m.

The Songs of Africa: The Ethiopian Canticles

Michael Glerup

Executive Director, Center for Early African Christianity, Religious Freedom and Society in Africa

11:30 a.m. -12:00 p.m.

In Situ: The Ethiopian Timkat Celebration

Rev. Joel C. Elowsky

Professor of Historical Theology, Director of the Center for the Study of Early Christian Texts, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO

12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Followed by a discussion with morning speakers and Q&A

Moderator: Michael Glerup

12:30 p.m.- 2:00 p.m.

LUNCH

AFTERNOON: Congregation, Conservation and Confrontation

2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

The Role of Ethiopian Orthodox Churches in Conserving Bio-diverse Resources in Ethiopia

Alemayehu Wassie

Forest Ecologist

2:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Church Forests and Human Flourishing: Opportunity for a Virtuous Cycle

Scott Sabin

Executive Director, Plant with Purpose

3:00 p.m. 3:30 p.m.

The Church Forest Project and its Implications for Local and Global People, and Landscape Health

Meg Lowman

Senior Scientist, Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

Lindsay Chair of Botany

California Academy of Sciences

3:30-4:00 p.m.

Images of the invisible

Kieran Dodds

Award-winning photographer focused on the interplay between environment and culture

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Discussion with afternoon speakers and Q&A

Moderator: Mary Anne Fitzgerald

5:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

"Hierotopia: The Living Sacred Landscape" Exhibition walk-through

with curator John Silvis and photographer Kieran Dodds

*Organized by France Pepper.

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Day 2

Saturday, 15th September 2018

PANEL DISCUSSION

Challenges: The Future of the Church in Ethiopia and in the U.S.

Tickets: Free (Sign up via Eventbrite) (Day 2 only)

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4:00 p.m.- 5:30 p.m

The Impact of Islam on Ethiopian Christianity

Desta Heliso

Faculty, Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology

Poverty, Community Health, and the Ethiopian Church: Opportunities and Challenges

Rev. Jason Polk

Coordinator of Spiritual Ministries, Ethiopia ACT

Ethiopian American Youth and Young Adults in Los Angeles

Afomia Seleshi

Founder of Young in America Ministry of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church

Moderator:

Rev. Joel C. Elowsky, Ph.D.

5:30 p.m.

"Hierotopia: The Living Sacred Landscape" Exhibition Reception

With a special performance of "Sung with Words," a musical performance by Helen Sung with poetry reading by California Poet Laureate Dana Gioia.

❗️NOTE: Make sure to register for both days if you wish to attend Day 1 and Day 2. ❗️

FAQs

How can I contact the organizer with any questions?

Please email: ahirou@nonnobis.com

What if I can only attend one day?

Tickets are registered for individually. So if you can only make one day (ie. Day 1), please only register for tickets for that day. Tickets for day 2 is to help us anticipate how many guests to expect.