Speakers Bureau

Kentucky IPL’s network of creation care leaders offers a range of topics focused around issues of creation care. These are ideal for either worship or presentations.

Speaking and film discussion fees are $100 per hour, plus travel expenses for the speaker if the event is greater than 50 miles from their home. These fees vary for Partner Communities.

Email us to schedule a speaker.

Speakers

Dr. Kate Bulinski, Bellarmine University

Dr. Kate Bulinski, is an associate professor of geosciences in the School of Environmental Studies at Bellarmine University. Besides teaching courses in geology and paleontology, she conducts research in topics related to paleoecology and science education. Most importantly, Kate enjoys working closely with the environmental science and studies majors at Bellarmine to help them gain the skills they need to pursue employment or graduate school opportunities.

Presentations

Dispelling Misconceptions: The Science of Climate Change

Climate Change in Deep Time: What the Past Can Tell Us About the Present Ecological Crisis

Environmental Injustice: A Call for Creation Care in Our Own Community

Rev. Jerry Cappel, The Episcopal Church

Rev. Cappel is an ordained Episcopal priest currently serving as the Environmental Network Coordinator for Province IV of The Episcopal Church. Jerry’s interests are in adult education, ecology and faith. Rev. Cappel has a Ph.D. in religious education and over twenty years of experience in corporate training and development.

Jerry serves as a member of the Advisory Council on the Stewardship of Creation for The Episcopal Church and is

a fellow with the Center for Religion and the Environment at the University of the South and with GreenFaith. He is a graduate of Harding Graduate School of Religion (M.Div.) in Memphis, TN, and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY (Ph.D.). He has worked as an author and editor of youth and adult education materials for Smyth & Helwys Publishing in Macon, GA and Church Publishing in New York.

Presentations

Deep Green Church: Helping the Christian Church Make Connections Between Worship, Prayer, Faith and the Environmental Crisis
Deep Green Faith: Helping Individuals Make Connections Between Their Life of Faith and Life on Earth
Opening the Book of Nature: Introduction to a Natural Contemplative Prayer Practice and Learning from Nature
The Bishops Speak: Words of Faith and Resolution from Church Leaders on the Environmental Crisis and the Life of Faith

Justin Klassen, Bellarmine University

Dr. Klassen is Associate Professor of Theology & Religious Studies at Bellarmine University. He teaches a wide range of courses in religious ethics, including one that examines theological justifications for creation care. His recent scholarship is in the area of Christian spiritual resources for responding to human-caused climate change and environmental degradation. Justin grew up in Canada, where his love of nature and wilderness were first nurtured. These days you can find him in the classroom or exploring the woods of Kentucky with his family.

Presentations

Creation Lost and Found in the Christian Tradition
Facing Facts, Keeping Faith: A Theological Response to IPCC Reports
Justice-Seeking Love: Eco-Crisis and Christian Ethics

Tim Darst, KY Interfaith Power and Light

Tim is the founder of Kentucky Interfaith Power and Light and served as executive director from 2007 through 2019.

Tim and his wife live in a solar-powered house, grow a lot of their own food and are regular bicycle and bus commuters.

He is active with Project Warm, the Food Literacy Project, the University of Louisville Sustainable Operations Committee, GRASS, St. William’s Church Environmental Concerns Committee, and the Passionist Earth & Spirit Center.

Presentations

Faith and Climate Change: Practical and Easy First Steps to Better Care for Creation
Building Awareness of Environmental Justice: The Causes and Effects of EJ Both Regionally and Globally
Solar for Your Congregation: Understanding if Solar Makes Sense for Your House of Worship
Food and Faith: Making the Connection Between the Way We Eat and the Impact Our Food Systems Have On the Planet
Local Environmental Issues: Seeing Issues of Environmental Injustice in Your Area
Laudato Si′: Exploring Pope Fancis’ Ideas for a New Way Forward in Our Relationship to Creation