Mosaic at the The Church of the Multiplication in Tabgha, the traditional site of the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

What would it mean to “reimagine an abundant world measured not by personal consumption but by just and sustainable relations with nature and communities”? That is the guiding question behind this year’s Trinity Institute Conference, entitled Radical Abundance: a Theology of Sustainability

I promised in an earlier post that I’d offer more information about the scheduled speakers at the Trinity Conference. Just to recap the basics: today, Jan. 16th, is the last day to sign up to participate in the live webcast of this conference happening at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Webster Groves. The conference itself is taking place at Trinity Wall Street, an Episcopal parish in the heart of New York City’s financial district. There are host sites all over the country participating via webcast in this exciting event.

The conference organizers are promising presentations that will be “challenging, thought-provoking, and constructive.” According to the Trinity website, scheduled speakers include:

Majora Carter, who founded Sustainable South Bronx in 2001 to alleviate poverty, improve the environment, and reduce public health costs. She is a MacArthur “Genius” Fellow, was named one of the 25 Most Influential African-Americans by Essence Magazine for 2007, and is co-host of The Green on the Sundance Channel.

Timothy J. Gorringe, whose widely read book, A Theology of the Built Environment: Justice, Empowerment, Redemption, established him as a leader in the field of environmental theology. His academic interests focus on the interrelation between theology, social science, art, and politics. He serves as St. Luke’s Professor of Theological Studies at the University of Exeter.

The Rev. Dr. Néstor O. Míguez, a leader both in articulating an authentic Latin American reading of the Bible and in ecumenical efforts to strengthen theological education worldwide. He serves as professor of New Testament Studies in Buenos Aires. Dr. Miguez is the author of That You May Have Life: Encounters with Jesus in the Gospel of John (with José Míguez Bonino)

Sister Miriam Therese MacGillis, founder of Genesis Farm, a learning center where people of good will are welcome to search for more authentic ways to live in harmony with the natural world and each other. In 2005 she received the Thomas Berry Award, and in 2007 was named among the planet’s top 15 green religious leaders by Grist magazine.

David C. Korten is a visionary proponent of a planetary system of local living economies. His now-classic best-seller, When Corporations Rule the World, was called “a must-read” by commentators ranging from Archbishop Desmond Tutu to London’s Financial Times. Dr. Korten’s most recent book is The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth Community.

I cannot think of a more opportune time in our history to focus on the Biblical theme of abundance. If we can finally get our head around God providing enough for everyone, perhaps we as individuals will stop always wanting more than we need, and in turn we can change our lives and our society and our planet’s future for the good.