In November 2014, the Contemplative Alliance and the Sophia Institute of Charleston, SC partnered to organize a community roundtable on the theme Awakening the Wisdom of the Heart: Protecting and Caring for Earth’s Community of Life. Joined by faith and spiritual leaders, ecological advocates and others based in the Charleston area, the group convened for two days at the Lance Hall of the historic Circular Congregational Church in downtown Charleston.

Our two days together focused on ways to engage the local community to respond to the urgent need to protect and care for the Earth’s eco-systems and to create a more equitable and caring human society. Ecology was a central theme at this gathering. Many residents of Charleston, a revitalizing city, expressed deep concern over the rising seas in the wake of climactic shifts, which now makes the Charleston population and the city’s structures vulnerable to severe flooding. Some in attendance, like Dana Beach of the Coastal Conservation League, spoke of their untiring work to raise awareness of the issue and create ecologically sound responses.