Join us for our June FORUM - Rev Dr Lee Levett-Olson presenting on The continuing task of reimagining God.

What we believe about God’s connection to the cosmos has a direct impact on how we act as Christians within the world. The unfolding reality that human impact can irreparably destroy the earth and its creatures is clear evidence that traditional views of transcendence and the divine have failed us. In Lee's PhD thesis he explored three philosophers who independently proposed radical alternatives towards the classic view of the divine-cosmic relationship. In this presentation he will set out some key points of these alternatives and how Christians in general and the UCA in particular are theologically obligated to live by an ethos that defends creation, preserves future generations, learns deeply from ancient wisdom, and leads – not lags – spiritual activism for our planet and all its creatures. As William Blake teaches, “everything that lives, is holy.”

SUGGESTED READING - It would be useful if participants could be familiar with the opening section of the UCA Basis of Union, and an ecumenical manifesto: The Rights of Nature and of Future Generations, adopted by the Assembly way back in 1991.

After living in North and South America, Lee was ordained by the Presbyterian Church in the USA on behalf of the Uniting Church in Australia. After placements in South Australia, he became Principal (Assembly National Director) of Coolamon College. Then in 2008 Lee was appointed as Principal of Nungalinya College and has served in the Northern Synod for 11 years, which included chairing two Presbyteries and contributing to many justice briefings for the UCA. His PhD thesis was an early work of eco-theology, focused on an understanding of the divine that could support ethical action for creation. He has researched climate change for over fifty years. Nungalinya deepened his understanding through two-ways learning with Indigenous elders. While retired, Lee remains committed to social activism and justice issues proud of the heritage of Protest core to the DNA of the Uniting Church.