April 15, 2008
For Immediate Release: JPIC Coordinator/Communications
Contact: Ann Piasecki
JPIC Office of the Wheaton Franciscans
For information, call (630) 909-6633
Earth Summit comes to Wheaton Franciscan campus
WHEATON—The Wheaton Franciscans are excited to announce an Oct. 11, 2008, Earth Summit to be held for the public on their 60-acre campus in DuPage County, IL. It is one of only 100 sites selected from around the United States to address climate change in collaboration with the United Nations Earth Charter Committee. Facilitated by the Wheaton Franciscan Office for Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation, the October 11 Earth Summit will celebrate the variety of green endeavors already underway in and around DuPage County. New ideas and innovative green living will be showcased, and fresh environmentally friendly initiatives will be encouraged.
The 12-hour long event begins at 8:00 am on the restored Wheaton Franciscan prairie with an inspirational interfaith ceremony and procession. The Wheaton Franciscan Motherhouse, Marianjoy Hospital, and other beautiful locations on the campus will serve as sites for numerous exhibits and activities. Throughout the day, families and attendees of all ages are invited to experience various presentations, panel discussions, and artistic expressions (essays, poems, student art, student/adult produced films, paintings, drawings, dance, sculpture and more) designed to celebrate the goodness of creation with which we are entrusted. Food vendors and musical entertainment will round out the day’s offerings. In the spirit of St. Francis, the day will also include a special blessing of the animals. Bring your pets!
In hosting this Earth Summit, the Wheaton Franciscans invite all people, of all ages and backgrounds, to experience the healing sanctuary that is the Wheaton Franciscan campus, and to join them in celebrating the earth home that we all share together as sisters and brothers. The October 11th activities are grounded in a Franciscan respect for all of God’s creation — humanity, all species of life, the earth, air and water — all members of the great community of life.
Encouraging that we “begin at home,” the Earth Summit efforts promote awareness of global climate change, and invite community involvement in such activities as legislative advocacy, Internet communications, media coverage, public forums and personal commitment. The Earth Summit on October 11th is the ideal place to jumpstart individual commitments to make a difference for earth’s sake. Numerous community organizations and friends have already joined in the coordination of the Earth Summit activities. All are welcome!
To sign up as an exhibitor, please call Ann Piasecki, coordinator of the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Office of the Wheaton Franciscans at (630) 909-6635 or justicepeace@wheatonfranciscan.org.
for more information, please go the Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation Office's website: www.wheatonfranciscan-jpic.org
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