Interfaith Earth Summit: Climate Safety & Health

Join us for EMO’s annual Oregon Interfaith Earth Summit on March 16, 2025!

“The Earth Summit is a valuable opportunity to revitalize our community connections and raise up local leadership as together we take faithful action in response to climate change.” -The Rev. Richenda Fairhurst, Chair, EMO Creation Justice Committee

Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon’s 12^th annual Oregon Interfaith Earth Summit will take place on Sunday, March 16, in communities all over Oregon. The event theme is “Climate Safety and Health.” This is an important opportunity to connect with people of faith and goodwill across the state to learn and take action together! The first part of the event will be a plenary session on Zoom, with participants watching together from their locations across Oregon. Practical workshops will follow on Zoom and in-person. See the schedule below for more details. Download an Earth Summit poster.

HOST HUB LOCATIONS
Baker City, Beaverton, Bend, Corvallis, Cottage Grove, Dallas, Eugene, Gresham, La Grande, Medford, Newport, Pendleton, Portland (SW and NW locations), Salem, Tigard. There is also an option to attend the entire event virtually.

REGISTRATION
Please use the form below to register for the event.

DRAFT SCHEDULE

1 p.m. Local hub gathering time: Registration, refreshments and networking

1:30 p.m. Statewide Zoom plenary: Hear inspiring speakers, important information and previews of the 2:50 p.m. workshops.

• • Opening Interfaith Prayer: Rev. Richenda Fairhurst, Chair, EMO Creation Justice Committee
  • Kickoff Message: Frank So, EMO Executive Director
  • Key Findings of the Seventh Oregon Climate Assessment: Dr. Erica Fleischman, Director, Oregon Climate Change Research Institute; Dr. Larry O’Neill, Director, Oregon Climate Service
  • The State of Oregon’s Climate Resilience: Governor Tina Kotek (invited); Jonna Papaefthimiou, State Resilience Officer
  • Workshop Previews: Sarah Loose, Director of Disaster and Climate Resilience, ELCA Oregon Synod; Peter Fargo, EMO Creation Justice Coordinator

2:30 p.m. Break and free discussion time at local hubs: Enjoy refreshments and visit information tables with local agencies and organizations involved in climate safety and health.

2:50 p.m. Workshops: One (or more) of these workshops will be offered at hub locations.

• • (On Zoom) Organizing for Statewide Success: Learn about statewide policy proposals that will improve climate safety & health for all of us.
  • (In Person) Building Community Resilience and Preparing to “Be 2 Weeks Ready”: Explore a simple approach to resilience – how neighbors can team up to prepare and protect each other from climate and other disasters.
  • (In Person) Customizing the Conversation for Your Community: Discuss the topics above to see where your community has the most interest, or use this time to continue important work that your community is already doing.

3:50 p.m. Wrap-up and next steps

4 p.m. Interfaith blessing and sending