Green as a Leaf:
Renewing a Theology of Creation

Seeing the world afresh through the eyes of theologians, scientists, and artists

16 – 19 September 2010

an invitation to an international conference
based at the School of Animal,
Rural & Environmental Sciences
at Brackenhurst Campus and at Southwell Minster

Organized by Southwell Minster, the Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham and the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University

In the somewhat unhelpful debates between evolutionists and Biblical fundamentalists, it is often forgotten that Christianity has a rich and continuing tradition of theological and ethical reflection on nature as God’s creation and on our role within it as wise creatures.  The ‘Geen as a Leaf’ conference aims to explore this important topic through four modes: the theological, the creative, the practical and the liturgical.  It will be unique in bringing together students of religion and ethics from around the world to convene with artists, poets, those engaged professionally with horticulture and the environment, and the clergy and people of the local diocese.  Rarely are such disparate groups brought together into conversation, and yet they have much to offer.

Southwell Minster and Nottingham Trent University’s Brackenhurst Campus will be the settings for the ‘Green as a Leaf’ conference, running from September 16th to 19th 2010, which has been jointly organised by the University of Nottingham, Nottingham Trent University, the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham, and the Cathedral.
Debates and lectures between theologians and ecologists will form part of the conference, along with practical and creative sessions led by local artists and agriculturalists.

The stunning building of Southwell Minster itself, and in particular its renowned leaf and animal sculptures in the Chapter House, will be an integral part of the conference and used as a lens through which to understand humanity in relation to the natural world.

One of the conference organisers and Canon Pastor, the Revd Canon Nigel Coates said, “Both the form and subject-matter of medieval architecture can offer a critique of modern attitudes to nature. We will also be using Brackenhurst Campus – the home of Nottingham Trent University’s School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, where we can learn at firsthand about cutting-edge research in this area.”

Some of the guest speakers will include, palaeontologist and lay theologian, Simon Conway-Morris, Michael Northcott who combines theology, ecology and practical husbandry, and Nottingham University’s John Milbank, renowned for his work in the fields of religion, social science and ethics.

The Dean of Southwell, the Very Revd John Guille said; “The conference aims to cross disciplinary divides to challenge us all to live and flourish in a new way. It will be unique in bringing together students of religion and ethics from around the world to convene with artists, poets, those engaged professionally with horticulture and the environment, and the clergy and people of the local diocese. Rarely are such disparate groups brought into conversation, and yet they have much to offer each other.”

Click here to download a booking form with further conference details.

Click here to download the conference timetable

If you have any questions about the conference or any particular needs you may have please do not hesitate to contact Catriona Gundlach at the following address: catriona@southwell.anglican.org