Speakers List

The following is a list of people with whom PEC has worked, and who have offered to be a resource to our membership in earth care ministry.

Howard Frumkin, MD, MPH, DrPH
Director, National Center for Environmental Health,
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
The center works to maintain and improve the health of the American people by promoting a healthy environment and by preventing premature death and avoidable illness and disability caused by toxic substances and other environmental hazards. Dr. Frumkin currently serves on the Institute of Medicine Roundtable on Environmental Health Sciences, Research, and Medicine. He was named Environmental Professional of the Year by the Georgia Environmental Council in 2004. He is the author or co-author of over 100 scientific journal articles and chapters, and has written numerous books. He received his BA from Brown University, his MD from the University of Pennsylvania, his MPH and DrPH from Harvard, his internal medicine training at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Cambridge Hospital, and his occupational medicine training at Harvard. He is board-certified in both internal medicine and occupational medicine, and is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

Ellen Davis, Durham,
NC professor of Bible and Practical Theology,
Duke Divinity School
Ellen is interested in theological interpretation of the Old Testament, with particular concern for Christian preaching. Her current work focuses also on developing an exegetically based response to the ecological crisis. A lay Episcopalian, she has been involved in Jewish-Christian dialogue for more than 30 years. Her previous teaching appointments were at Union Theological Seminary (New York City), YaleDivinity School, and the Virginia Theological Seminary. Ellen has an A.B. from the University of California at Berkeley; Certified Theology, Oxford University; an M.Div. from Church Divinity School of the Pacific; and a Ph.D. from Yale University.

Sam Hamilton-Poore,
San Francisco, CA
Director of the Program in Christian Spiri-tuality and Assistant Professor in Christian Spirituality, San Francisco Theological Seminary. Prior to this, he and his wife Terry served Presbyterian, Lutheran, and U.C.C. congregations in North Carolina, Missouri, Kansas, and Iowa. When it comes to ecological issues, Sam has a special passion for prairies, wetlands, and tide pools—and for the (re)integration of prayer, action, and theology. His new book, Earth Gospel: A Guide to Prayer for God’s Creation, was released by Upper Rooms Books in January 2009. He and his wife are the parents of three teenagers. Nancy Corson Carter, Chapel Hill, NC; board chair, New Hope Camp and Conference Center. Nancy is a Presbyterian elder and has served as RCE of Tampa Bay Presbytery, and the immediate past Moderator of PRC (1999-2005). Now in retirement from college teaching, her continuing environmental advocacy includes facilitating an Environmental Support Group at Church of Reconciliation, PCUSA, Chapel Hill and leading “Hope Workshops” on the climate change crisis for the NC Interfaith Power and Light program. She is a member of the Shalem Society for Contemplative Leadership, and helps to lead a weekly contemplative service at her church. Nancy has just published another book of poetry, Near the End of the Rainy Season: Poems from Japan (Pudding House Press, Columbus, Ohio).

Music Leader Charles Pettee,
Chapel Hill, NC
Charles delights audiences with a tasty blend of original and traditional American folk, bluegrass,and Celtic music seasoned at more than 3,500 performances throughout the US, Canada, and Europe. Wielding mandolin, guitar, mandola, or harmonica, Pettee brings virtuosity and good humor to any venue presenting family concerts.

Pat Watkins,
Richmond, VA
Ordained minister in the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church, having served churches in the Lynchburg District. He and his wife, Denise Honeycutt, served as missionaries in Nigeria with the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries. He currently serves as a Church and Community Worker (missionary inside the US) forthe UMC as "Executive Director of Caretakers of God's Creation," a Virginia Con-ference creation care ministry team. This is the first time the General Board of Global Minis-tries has appointed a missionary to a ministry to God’s creation. He is a member of the United Methodist Women’s Division Green Team for the denomination.

Rebecca Barnes Davies

Past PEC Coordinator, is currently a student at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and a consultant for environmental and social justice ministries for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).  Ms. Barnes-Davies is Louisville Seminary’s inaugural Arnold O. Schapp Presidential Scholar.  Ms. Barnes-Davies has been named winner of the 2010 Angell Award for the best first book by a Presbyterian author by the Presbyterian Writers Guild (PWG).  Her book is titled, "50 Ways to Help Save the Earth: How You and Your Church Can Help Make a Difference," and is published by Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville, KY. The Angell Award, named for longtime Presbyterian writer Jim Angell, is given each General Assembly year.  Barnes-Davies’ book was chosen from among seven entries. 

Of 50 Ways, Angell Award Chair Nancy Bray of Dallas writes: “While the author acknowledges that there are many more than 50 ways to help creation, she explains that she has chosen 50 to symbolize the Scriptural idea of the fiftieth year as the jubilee year, "a time when justice and Sabbath benefit the whole community."

Dr. Tom English
                                                  
Dr. English is the President of the TESSI Endangered Species Institute, and the Creation Care Educator for the Presbyterian Church's Synod of Southern California and Hawaii.  He frequently lectures on Environmental Issues to university, civic, industrial, and church groups.  He produced a 50-minute video entitled “Past, Present & Future of Endangered Species,” which has been broadcast many times on the Carlsbad, CA cable television channel.  He is Past-President of both the Coalition for Clean Air, and the San Diego Chapter of Reasons to Believe.  He is a past Vice Moderator of Presbyterians for Earth Care.

He co-led the campaign to have the Presbyterian Church adopt a new policy “On Preserving Biodiversity and Halting Mass Extinction.”  He has directed major environmental programs for IBM, GE, JPL, EPA, and the Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group.  He led this group’s effort to voluntarily reduce toxic environmental releases by 86%.  According to William Reilly, former Administrator of the U.S. EPA, "This reduction led the entire world."  His legislative accomplishments include improving the California Clean Air Act, which resulted in savings of several billion dollars.

Dr. English advised President Carter's Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the Government of Sweden on high-level nuclear waste disposal.  At the U.S. EPA, he directed an $80 million per year Energy & Environment Program; and also directed an epidemiological study of 40,000 people to determine the human health effects of air pollutants.  He received a Presidential Award for leading the recovery program to fix the F-111 fighter/bomber after the wings fell off the aircraft.  

His academic background includes a postdoctoral MS in environmental engineering, a Ph.D., and a MS in electrical engineering, and a BS in physics.  He taught environmental courses at Santa Clara University, San Jose State University, the University of North Carolina, West Coast University, and UC Santa Cruz.  He was also an Assistant Professor in the Electrical Engineering Dept. at Carnegie-Mellon University and an Adjunct Professor at Palomar College.  Dr. English presented a three-day environmental management seminar in Moscow.