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The Great Gathering

We look forward to welcoming you to the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta's 8^th Annual Ministry Fair & Great Gathering!

This year our theme God's Creation...Our Response reminds us that one of our greatest tasks as Christians is to be stewards of all that God has blessed us with, and further, it is to share that message with others. 

In this case, the message concerns our environment, in particular in the area of global warming.  For Episcopalians, dealing with a topic that has been rather controversial is not an easy thing, but it is what we do best.  And we do it best by starting with the facts.  And so we present... 

 

A Primer on Global Warming

and What We Can Do About It

...with special guest Michael Coffey, senior scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado

Dr. Coffey is on leave from NCAR and teaching physics at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, where years ago he majored in math and physics. He is married to the Episcopal chaplain at the University of Florida, the Rev. Nancee Martin-Coffey.

Dr. Coffey earned a doctorate in Atmospheric Physics from the University of Oxford in 1976 and has worked for nearly 30 years in the Atmospheric Chemistry Division of NCAR. He has led a number of airborne and ground-based missions to study atmospheric chemistry using infrared spectroscopy.

He currently has a permanent observing station at Thule, Greenland, and works on one of the four instruments aboard the NASA Earth Observing Satellite, Aura.  He has more than 70 publications in the fields of stratospheric ozone chemistry, greenhouse gas composition and infrared remote sensing.

The Great Gathering this year will be held in Child Hall (formerly the Hall of Bishops) to allow for the use of audio-visual materials.  Dr. Coffey will also be leading a workshop during Session 1, "Scientific Foundations of Global Warming," which will be a follow-up to his presentation.

We are also pleased to announce that Diane Lynch of Lynch Interpreting, will be providing Sign Language interpretation of the Gathering.  Diane is new to the Atlanta area and will also be available to sign at one workshop each session if needed.  If you have a need in this area or other questions please call the diocesean office or email Linda Scott.  Diane will also have a table in the display area for more information.

Please arrive in time for the Great Gathering. It begins at 9:30 a.m.!