Wednesday, 10/3, Noon, Tooo Chinoise

Students, faculty and staff interested in meeting representatives of two United Church of Christ related seminaries--Pacific School of Religion and United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities--are invited to share an information lunch with admissions representatives. These seminaries offer graduate programs in religion and theology with special areas of focus such as gender and sexuality studies, peace and justice, racial justice, and the arts. RSVP to Rev. Greg McGonigle, Director of Religious Life, at greg.mcgonigle@oberlin.edu.

Wednesday, 10/3, 6:45 pm, JFO Room

Carpooling to "The Politics of 'Spiritual but Not Religious' America" lecture at The College of Wooster. Email pastor@firstchurchoberlin.org for details.

Friday, 10/5, Potluck 5:30 pm, Panel 6:45 pm, Peace Community Church

Peace Community Church will host a panel of people who have had their lives dramatically affected by hydraulic fracking, entitled "Fracking in My Community." Panelists will include John WIlliams, a native of Trumbull County who has raised awareness in his community about the effects of fracking and water-testing options and has worked to pass a resolution in his township against injection wells, and Rev. Monica Beasley-Martin, a former pastor in East Liverpool who founded Defenders of the Earth Outreach Mission. All are welcome to attend, learn, and ask questions. Parking is available at the rear of the church. 

Thursday, 10/18, Film 4 p.m., Discussion 7:15 p.m., Kendal at Oberlin

Explore America's backcountry with Kira and Aviva on an intermediate-level hiking trip on the Appalachian Trail in the Smokey Mountains! Expect 8-10 miles of hiking per day, beautiful fall colors, rolling hills, meditation, trail songs, morning yoga, and good food! We'll be doing a mix of camping in shelters along the trails as well as under the stars! This trip will be an excellent chance to rejuvenate ourselves after midterms by getting out of Oberlin, experiencing natural beauty, and challenging ourselves. It is our goal to create an atmosphere full of positive energy in which everyone feels comfortable and inspired to explore themselves and make new friends. To enter the lottery for trip, email Oberlin Outings Club at oberlin.outingsclub@gmail.com. Questions? Email Aviva Maslow at amaslow@oberlin.edu.

Saturday, 11/10, 10 am-10 pm, St. Clarence Parish, North Olmsted

Expert panels, informative workshops, free lunch with registration, national and local networking opportunities, and dinner with Sr. Helen Prejean. For more information, visit http://www.otse.org/2012-conference.aspx. For rides or additional information contact Anne Elder at 774-2947.

6/23-25, Nazareth College, Rochester, NY

The Hickey Center for Interfaith Studies and Dialogue at Nazareth College, Rochester, NY and supporting institutional partners  are pleased to announce a conference on "Sacred Texts and Human Contexts: A Symposium on the Role of the Sacred Texts of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in Uniting and Dividing Humanity." The conference is open to about 50 presenters in social sciences and religious studies and about 100 participants with deep interest in academic and interfaith dialogue. Conference website; Conference poster.