Faith leaders on Earth – a multi-faith panel
Join our faith leader panel as they introduce us to the jewels of their tradition’s teachings on care for the earth. Panelists: Dr. Prasad Bastodkar, Hindu Society of Minnesota; Payton Hoegh, Episcopal Los Angeles and Center for Spirituality in Nature; Rabbi Ricky Kamil Temple Israel, Minneapolis and Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative; Rev. Onryu Laura Kennedy, Buddhist priest / teacher; Lóre Stevens, First Universalist Church, Minneapolis
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It is common knowledge that many faith traditions offer wisdom about humans’ relationship with the earth, but what are the specifics? For example, what does Hinduism teach, and how might that be different from Jewish wisdom? How does Buddhism guide its followers about nature? Is Christian teaching about the earth different from its cultural U.S. practice? Join us for a rich time of sharing, discussion, and insight.
More about our panelists:
Rev. Onryu Laura Kennedy (she/her) is a white, converted Buddhist settler on Dakota and Anishinabee homelands committed to untangling the karma of genocide by engaging her Buddhist practice. She has received transmission in both the Katagiri Roshi’s and Uchiyama Roshi’s Soto Zen lineage. From 2010-2021 she was one of the leaders at Clouds in Water Zen Center. In spring of 2020 she was the shuso (leading monk for the practice period) for the practice period at Toshoji International Zen Center. She has completed a year long Engaged Buddhist training at Upaya Zen Center, and her application for being a recognized zen teacher in Japan has been accepted. She has an MA in Counseling Psychology and has worked on behalf of children and families for over 22 years.
Rabbi Ricky Kamil (he/him) works on the congregational organizing team serving the western suburbs for Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative. He understands housing is a right and is always guided by the idea of Tikkun Olam repairing the world. Ricky also works at Temple Israel of Minneapolis, organizing their justice issues such as the sustainability task force, which has done great work in the congregation and larger community. Ricky is married to the wonderful Rabbi, Rebecca, who works as a chaplain. Together they have an adorable child, Matan, and a very fluffy dog named Feivel. Ricky loves to be outside even when it’s cold.
Patyon Hoegh (he/him) is a postulant in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles and holds a Master’s of Divinity from the Claremont School of Theology. He works as Spiritual Communities Director for the Center for Spirituality in Nature, a non-profit that provides opportunities for deepening spirituality through nature while nurturing loving relationships with Earth. A member of the Bishop’s Commission on Climate Change, Payton advocates for intentional balance of spiritual reflection, mindfulness, and engagement to renew, inspire, and enrich activism responding to God’s call to care for and nurture reciprocal relationship with Earth. He lives with his wife, Jazmin, and cat, Zooey, in a tiny home on the outskirts of the Angeles National Forest.”
Prasad Bastodkar (he/him) grew up in India and moved to the United States in early 2000. He has lived in Minnesota for most of his life. He is an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon by profession. He volunteers at the Hindu Society of Minnesota and leads their Guided Temple Visits. As a practicing Hindu he loves to volunteer at outreach events such as these to discuss what it means to be a Hindu.
Lóre Stevens (rhymes with ‘story’, she/her) is the current ministerial intern at First Universalist Church in Minneapolis, finishing her last stage of training in pursuit of ordination. She has worked at the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee. She served on the Board of the Church of the Larger Fellowship. She was honored to be published in UU World, the magazine of the UUA, on the topic of Food Faith. Lóre is from Tennessee and currently identifies as a bisexual, biracial, atheist, cisgender woman. She enjoys science-fiction, illustrated journaling, and her two cats!