Over 50 years ago, the Commission on Religion in Appalachia (CORA) formed as a voice for justice in the mountains. The Commission on Religion in Appalachia (CORA) did historic, ground-breaking work to organize faith leadership.
Many of us who continue to echo its message feel that NOW is an especially meaningful and critically important time to come together once again to examine the economic, environmental and spiritual conditions of our region, to problem solve, and to organize.
Today, in the spirit of CORA, the State of Appalachia conference will examine the spiritual, economic, and ecological situation of our home.
Together, we will chart a path forward.
1:00 pm The Spiritual State of Appalachia (details)
Moderator: Bishop Matthew Riegel of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America West Virginia/Western Maryland Synod
Panelists Fr. John Rausch of Glenmary Home Missioners; Rev. Emilie Theobald–Rowlands of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Appalachian Leadership Task Force; Ash-Lee Henderson of the Highlander Center in Tennessee
2:15 pm Plenary Session: The State of the Economy of Appalachia (details)
Moderator: Rev. Sekinah Hamlin of the Center for Responsible Lending
Panelists: Fr. John Rausch of the Glenmary Home Missioners, Rev. Dr. Leslie Copeland Tune of the Ecumenical Poverty Initiative, Dr. Anthony Flaccavento
3:30pm Break
3:45pm Plenary Session: The State of the Environment in Appalachia (details)
Moderator: Rev. Robin Blakeman of Presbytery of West Virginia Stewardship of Creation Ministry Team/West Virginia Interfaith Power and Light/Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition
Panelists: Karen Ireland of Our Water, Patrick Grenter of the Center for Coalfield Justice, and Rev. Donna Aros of St. Paul United Methodist Church/Kentucky Council of Churches
5:00pm Projects Fair
6:00pm Dinner
7:00pm State Caucuses
8:00pm Entertainment
Michael LaFrate, Musician and Co-Coordinator of the Catholic Committee of Appalachia
8 am Breakfast
9 am Concurrent Workshops
a. The State of Regional Ministries in Appalachia (Moderated by Rev. Emilie Theobald of the ELCA Appalachian Leadership Taskforce)
b. The State of Payday Lending in Appalachia
c. Water Justice in Appalachia (details)
10 am Concurrent Workshops
a. The State of Regional Ministries in Appalachia
b. The State of Payday Lending in Appalachia
c. Water Justice in Appalachia (details)
11 am Issues Caucus (Sharing from the State caucuses)
12 pm Lunch
12:45 pm Final Session: Where do we go from here?
2 pm Adjourn