Faith in Action: Creating the New Economy Across Religious Communities

Saturday, June 7th, 11:45 AM to 1:00 PM
Room 344
Undefined

In the past, great movements for social transformation in the United States (antislavery, women's suffrage, civil rights) have often been powered at the grassroots by organized people of faith. Can this be true today for the emerging movement to create a New Economy? Panelists in this session will offer several perspectives on the ways congregations and faith-based organizing groups across religious traditions are already moving to transform their economies: internally, in their local communities, and beyond. Participants will be invited to reflect on opportunities for engaging their own communities of faith and spirituality.

Speakers: 

Nicholas Hayes

New Economy Coalition

Nicholas Hayes is the Faith Community Partnerships Organizer at the New Economy Coalition. Raised a Liberation Theology Catholic by a Costa Rican mother in the unlikely setting of rural Michigan, Nicholas understands his faith as the source of his lifelong commitment to economic justice, Creation care, and the empowerment of ordinary people. His passion and emerging career have centered on the transformative potential of faith communities for social change.

Bio

Tim Lilienthal

PICO National Network

Tim Lilienthal is the director of the Campaign for Economic Dignity at PICO National Network, a coalition of 50 faith-based community organizations composed of over 1,200 member congregations in 20 states. Tim has worked for the last 12 years in grassroots social change efforts. In 2003, Tim got his start in organizing working with a farmworker organization in El Salvador. He joined the PICO network in 2005, working as a community organizer with PACT in San Jose, CA.

Bio

Felipe Witchger

Community Purchasing Alliance

Felipe Witchger, Executive Director, Community Purchasing Alliance, leads the cooperative efforts of the 130+ participating religious, education, and community institutions in the greater Washington D.C./Baltimore metropolitan areas. Prior to CPA, Felipe directed a multi-family energy efficiency initiative at Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future.

Bio

Joy Anderson

Criterion Institute

Joy Anderson is a prominent national leader at the intersection of business and social change. Literally hundreds of ventures have been shaped by Joy’s insights and experience. As faculty on the leading social innovation award programs, including Unreasonable Institute and Echoing Green, she advises the next generation of leaders.

Bio