Journey to the Universe

Presented by Sam King & Nancy Wright

What does it mean to be descended from the stars? How might awareness of our cosmic origins help us fulfill our role in a living Earth community?

This program will offer an immersion into Journey of the Universe, an Emmy Award-winning film weaving together science and spirituality to tell the epic story of cosmic evolution. We will explore the influence of the Jesuit paleontologist Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, with special attention to his ideas of matter-spirit, cosmogenesis, and the emerging noosphere. We will also trace the legacy of the great cultural historian Thomas Berry, considering his visions of a New Story, the Universe as “a communion of subjects,” and the Great Work of birthing an Ecozoic Era of human-Earth flourishing.

Participants will be invited to take part in an outdoor Cosmic Walk, an embodied ritual created by Sr. Miriam MacGillis, tracing the 13.8 billion year story of the Universe.

At a time of ecological crisis, we will explore the implications of a Journey worldview for issues of climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental justice.  

The program will conclude with discussion of how our “shared dream experience” can unleash the vision and creativity needed to restore the well being of the Earth community.

Lunch is included.