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The Fourteen Annual George W. Webber                        
 Lecture in Urban Ministry
                           Panel Discussions
Date: October 26, 2007                Time: 5-7pm

Panel #1:
Immigrants and Immgration Policy
Time: 5:00-5:50pm
Location: 475 Riverside Drive (Robing Room)
Moderated by Max Herman

Panelists include:
Juan Carlos Ruiz                                                 Director of the New York Sanctuary Coalition
Jonathan Nelson
Immigration Attorney and Elder-Presbytery of NYC
Guillermo Linares
Commissioner-Mayor’s Officer of Immigrant Affairs.   
This panel examines the influence of religion and the role of religious leaders with respect to current debates on immigrant rights and immigration policy. Given the significant numbers of immigrants (both documented and undocumented) who have
recently settled in New York, this panel addresses how religion can have an impact on shaping discourse about immigration policy as well as informing practices that seek to promote the physical and spiritual well-being of these new arrivals to the city. Panelists will consist of representatives from the mayor’s office of immigrant affairs, social services agencies, and religious institutions involved in the promotion of
immigrant rights.

Panel#2:
Affordable Housing and Gentrification
Time: 6:00-6:50pm
Location: 475 Riverside Drive (Orthodox Room)
Moderated by Nadia Mian

Panelists include:
Alexandra Klein                                                      Project Manager, CPC Resources, Inc.
Carl Lamberg
Executive Director, Settlement Fund, Inc.
Archbishop Angelo Rosario
Church of God’s Children, CEO Bronx Clergy Task Force.
Tentative: Sean Moss,
Regional Administrator, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

The provision of affordable housing has generally been viewed as a governmental
responsibility, aided in part by non-profit organizations. In the New York City area, government support has decreased, less land is available, and funds for projects are diminishing. In
response to the altering urban landscape, faith-based organizations are becoming more and
more involved in the creation of affordable housing in their communities. This panel examines the ways in which religious leaders and institutions interact with the dynamics of real estate markets in the neighborhoods. In light of the processes of gentrification and redevelopment taking place in many neighborhoods of New York City today, we will address the role of congregations in ensuring affordable housing for their congregants and members of the community. We will also explore ways that religious institutions may benefit from
developing their property holdings while remaining true to their spiritually guided mission.
Panelists will include representatives from non-profit community development corporations,
housing advocates, and academics who study the effects of real estate markets on the
character and quality of life in New York neighborhoods.               

Webber Lecture @7pm
              "Ministry when Urban is Global:
        Connecting Church,  City & Seminary" 
Dr. Lowell W. Livezey, Professor of Urban and Religious Studies and Director of Ecologies of Learning Project at New York Theological Seminary, will deliver the 14th annual George W. Webber Lecture on Urban Ministry at New York Theological Seminary on Friday evening, October 26, 2007 beginning at 7:00 pm.  

Highly regarded as one of the nation's leading scholars of urban religion and the urban church, Dr. Livezey joins Cornel West, James Cone, Letty Russell, and Eldin Villafañe, who have been recent Webber Lecturers.  Dr. Lowell Livezey is the author of Public Religion and Urban Transformation (New York University Press, 2000) in addition to more than 35 articles and scholarly papers.  He is the former Director of the Religion in Public Life Project at the University of Illinois at Chicago and Luce Lecturer in Urban Ministry at Harvard Divinity School.  Before coming to NYTS he conducted major research on urban religious life in Chicago and Boston.
            
Central to Dr. Livezey's scholarly work has been an interactive methodology that involves colleagues, students and leaders of urban religious communities in a collaborative effort both to collect data and to interpret the results.  The Ecologies of Learning Project was established at New York Theological Seminary in 2004 with the assistance of a major grant from the Lilly Endowment.  In EOL, they work to understand how churches, synagogues, mosques and temples help shape the city and how changes in the city effect communities of faith.  Learn with EOL at www.ecologiesoflearning.org

Webber Lecture Panel Discussions:
From 5:00-6:50 pm, the Ecologies of Learning       Project  will host 2 panel discussions:

5-5:50 pm - “Religious Responses to Immigration

6-6:50 pm - “Gentrification and Affordable Housing” 

"When Urban is Global: Making the City your Campus". A faculty development institute for theological educators featured in July 2, 2007 New York Times Metro Section:
NEW YORK REGION   | July 2, 2007
Citywide:  For a Master Class on Global Worship, It's Destination Queens
By DAVID GONZALEZ
An international group of seminary professors traveled to Flushing recently for a conference on how congregations and cities affect one another.

"Faith Based Institutions & Housing Development II: Meeting your Mission by Maximizing Options”
                Watch a recording of this event

The New York Theological Seminary Ecologies of Learning Project (EOL), in cooperation with The Community Preservation Corporation (CPC), invites you to attend this free half day seminar  on June 12, 2007 at Medgar Evers College (directions attached) from 8:45am to 1:30pm. 

This event is designed for church and other religious leaders considering options for housing or property development. It is a follow-up to a very successful workshop held in October of 2006, “Meeting your Mission by Maximizing Options – Part I” at the New York Theological Seminary. Many workshop participants expressed great interest in learning how to unlock value in resources they own—specifically as it relates to property development.

The need for help to engage real estate resources has become increasingly critical, especially in gentrifying areas of Brooklyn. This workshop is an opportunity for you to gain knowledge about housing development and obtain information about resources that are available to you. 

Agenda/Speaker Outline:
8:45 - Registration/ Continental Breakfast                                                                                                    9:30 - Dr. Dale T Irvin, NYTS President – Welcome
          Professor Lowell Livezey, Director of the           Ecologies of Learning Project
          Michael Lappin, President & CEO of The           Community Preservation Corp.
          The Rev . Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood (St. Paul          Community Baptist Church)

10:00 -12:00pm – Panel Discussion: Meeting Your         Need, Maximizing Options                                     Marion Phillips, Empire State Development          Corporation, Moderator
         Denise Scott, Local Initiative Support Corp
         Alexandra Klein, The Community Preservation          Corporation
         Kim Hardy, NYC Department of Housing,          Preservation & Development
         Sondra Ford, Bridge Street Development Corp

12:00 - 1:15pm – Luncheon and Keynote Address
        Honorable Marty Markowitz, Brooklyn Borough         President
       The Rev. Dr. Arlee Griff in, Jr. (Berean Baptist        Church )

1:30pm – Program Close
       Mr. Christopher Lundy, Ecumenical Liaison,         Office of Congressman Ed Towns

Participating organizations include New York Theological Seminary, Ecologies of Learning, The Interchurch Center, The Interfaith Center, The Community Preservation Corporation, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, the NYC Department of Housing, Preservation & Development and Deutsche Bank.

 “Manhattan Religious Leaders and New York State Court System”  Thursday, June 28, 2007, at New York County  Supreme Court (60 Centre Street, Room 452 New York, NY 10007), from 9:30am - 5:00pm.  The Interfaith Center of New York in cooperation with The Ecologies of Learning Project and Unified Court System of The State of New York cordially invite religious community leaders from Manhattan to participate in a free all-day seminar to learn about the courts legal issues of concern in their communities. This seminar is an opportunity for you to gain information & resources to better serve your constituents and to share any concerns you have about the Courts and the needs of your  community. To RSVP, please call 212-870-9515 or email anushavan@interfaithcenter.org .Please leave your name, address, telephone number and email address.  

 “When Urban is Global: Making the City your Campus”  June 14-24, 2007. A seminar for seminary faculty.  For information contact Dr. Lowell W Livezey, llivezey@nyts.edu

Community Forum on 'Religion, Youth and the
                       Justice System'
*Watch the recording of this event
*Listen to an audio recording of this event

Community Forum on 'Religion, Youth and the Justice System'
The Ecologies of Learning Project (EOL) in cooperation with The Interfaith Center of New York ask that you join us in a community forum focused on “Religion, Youth and the Justice System”. To be held on Thursday, April 12, 2007 at Iglesia Primitiva / Primitive Church from 4:30pm to 7:00pm.
** Primitive Church is located at 209 East Broadway New York NY, 10002 (directions attached)

This is a follow-up of an EOL forum held in fall 2005 on “Faith in the Lower East Side: Congregations Coping with Change.” And two focus groups on youth issues held last summer. Many forum participants (residents, pastors etc) expressed great interest in collaborating, particularly on an interfaith basis, to address core social issues including caring for vulnerable populations such as the poor, the elderly and young people.  Through our research since the forum, we have learned more about how congregations are supporting the education, security, health and development of the young people in their community.  

The ability of congregations to impact the lifestyles and values of youth requires an often difficult balance – between individual mentoring and congregational programs and a more public engagement with the community assets.

In hope that this program will help, we have organized a stellar lineup of speakers:

• Rev. Alfonso Wyatt

Rev. Wyatt is the Vice President of the FCNY (Fund for the City of New York). The FCNY, established by the Ford Foundation in 1968, works with government agencies and nonprofit organizations. The FCNY provides assistance with technology and programs for youth.

• Judge Michael Corriero

Judge Corriero was appointed to the Court of Claims in June 1990.  Since 1992, he has presided over Manhattan ’s Youth Part, a court set aside within the adult court system to deal exclusively with the cases of 13, 14, and 15 year‑olds who are charged with the most serious and violent crimes.

• Dr. Angela Moses, Uth-Turn Executive Director

Uth Turn is a collaboration of churches, criminal justice partners, and service agencies, Fund for Community Leadership Development, and New York Theological Seminary. Those who serve on this project work with "at-risk" youth ages 13-21, in greatest need of intervention: street youth, gang members, youth people with pending or prior conflicts with the law. Uth Turn services: mentoring, leadership training, educational and job preparation, employment and social services referrals, counseling and substance support.

• Mishi Faruqee, Director of The Correctional Association of New York Juvenile Justice Project

The Juvenile Justice Project seeks to reorient the justice system away from a punitive approach toward youth and emphasize on community-based prevention and alternatives to jail and prison.

This forum is an opportunity for you to gain knowledge about the Juvenile Justice System and obtain community resources availability to youth. We appreciate your continued cooperation and support.  Please contact me or EOL Project Coordinator Shirvahna Gobin (212-870-1208 or Sgobin@nyts.edu) with questions or comments, or to confirm your attendance. 

Sincerely,
 
Lowell Livezey
Director of the Ecologies of Learning Project
Professor of Urban Studies and Religion

  NYTS Fourth Annual "Urban Angel" Awards Gala

*Forum on East Village "Cultures of the Night":              For the past year, our EOL research team has interviewed congregational leaders and community residents about the many changes taking place in the East Village and Lower East Side. Among the characterizations of the area's transformation shared with our research team, we received many comments focused on East Village nightlife. We have subsequently explored how more than thirty-five congregations engage with area's night culture. We will 'roll out' our findings regarding diverse congregational responses to these 'cultures of the night' at an early-evening (5PM-8PM) gathering of pastors and community residents in the East Village on March 5, 2007 at Henry Street Settlement Abrons Arts Center: 466 Grand Street NYC 10002. This event is open to the public so please join us as we share our findings.    **Read a summary of the event

*SAVE THE DATE for the installation of Dr. Dale T. Irvin as the 11th President of New York Theological Seminary. Thursday, Feb 22 - Friday, 23, 2007.  
*Listen to President Irvin installation lecture            
*Read President Irvin installation lecture

NYTS Spring registration will be held Tuesday, January 16th and Wednesday, January 17th, from 12 to 6 pm. Visit www.nyts.edu for course information.

NYTS 2006 Alumni/ae Days: November 10-11, 2006.13th Annual George W. Webber lecture delivered by Dr. Eldin Villafañe Ricardo Tañon Distinguished Professor of Hispanic Christianity, Ethics, and Urban Ministry Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Boston, Massachusetts Keynote Speaker: Rev. Dr. Eugene Peterson, 1957 alum.

Free One-day free seminar on Property Management and Housing Development(October 27, 2006)

Women in Religion in the 21st Century: October 17- 19, 2006 A Conference Commemorating, Celebrating and Continuing Women’s Legacy.

New York Theological Seminary Certificate Program Fall Convocation 2006: Saturday September 16, 2006 at 8:00AM – 4:00PM, at the Springfield Gardens United Methodist Church.

Dale T Irvin 11th President of New York Theological Seminary. NYTS board of directors unanimously elect a new Seminary President.

Summary of Focus Group 2 : Tuesday August 22, 2006 at 9:30 AM – Noon, at the Seward Park Branch of the NY Public Library.

Summary of Focus Group 1 : Wednesday June 21, 2006 at 9:30 AM – Noon, at the Tompkins Square Park Branch of the NY Public Library.