“Ecojustice, Sabbath Economics and Luke’s Gospel”

Feb 2010 Bartimaeus Institute

This was one of our most energetic Institutes yet. Thirty participants studied Luke’s gospel, the Ojai Valley watershed and the life and witness of Sr. Dorothy Stang. Two thirds of the participants were women, and 2/3 under age 35—trends we find encouraging! Highlights included:

“Dorothy often spoke about Creation spirituality and liberation ecology. I recommend this program with all my heart. Dorothy will be in your midst.”

–-David Stang, Dorothy’s brother.

Sisters Roseanne Murphy and Judi Clemens represented Dorothy’s order, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, and brought wonderful, engaging energy. The Sisters shared personal stories after we watched the film They Killed Sr. Dorothy. Institute artist Meg Lemieur did sketches during the week as themes were discussed, culminating in a portrait of Sr. Dorothy made out of natural material.

On Wednesday we took field trips to Nopalitos Native Nursery and Sycamore Canyon, before being hosted at the Abundant Table Farm Project in Camarillo, where we ate delicious food out of their CSA garden. Guest speakers Don Seawater, an urban forester, and Calvert Foundation social investment animator Art Stevens stimulated our horizons of imagination.  Institute musician Jay Beck got us chanting and drumming throughout the week.

See the photo essay here.