Two dynamic speakers join forces for a national tour
In September of 2018 Ruth Wilde, a UK Outreach Worker for Christian Peacemaker Teams and National Coordinator for Inclusive Church teams up with Peterson Toscano, a quirky queer Quaker performance artist and scholar from the USA. Together they will travel around the UK offering original lively talks at churches, Quaker meeting houses, and other venues. They are passionate about several issues–social justice, theology, LGBTQ concerns, and creative responses to climate change.
Peterson will begin at the Greenbelt Festival and then onto Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre, and then he will meet up with Ruth Wilde to continue the tour. See the schedule to find out more. (And check back for updates to the schedule)
For available dates in September 2018 and booking details email: uk @ cpt.org
About Ruth and Peterson
Ruth
Ruth is the UK Outreach Worker for Christian Peacemaker Teams. She also works as National Coordinator for Inclusive Church, so she understands how oppressions can intersect, and how climate change is ‘sexist, racist and classist’. Ruth has known about the oppression of / racism against indigenous peoples since she went on a CPT delegation to Grassy Narrows First Nation, Ontario, Canada in 2011. Now she sees clearly that climate change is also ‘racist’ against indigenous peoples and she thinks this is painfully ironic because they are often the humans who live the most sustainably and most in harmony with the earth. This makes her more determined than ever to educate and speak out about what is happening to indigenous peoples around the world!
Peterson
After spending 17 years and over $30,000 on three continents attempting to de-gay himself through gay conversion therapy, Peterson Toscano came to his senses and came out as an American quirky queer Quaker concerned with human rights and comedy. He asks himself and his audiences unusual and stimulating questions: Who are the gender outlaws in the Bible? What is a queer response to climate change? and How can comedy help us better understand our most tragic losses? A Bible scholar, a comic, and public speaker, Peterson is on a mission to connect with his audiences in deeply personal ways stirring up hope and purpose in a rapidly changing world. www.petersontoscano.com
Official Trailer Transfigurations-Transgressing Gender in the Bible from Peterson Thomas Toscano on Vimeo.
See what is on offer
Everything is Connected: A lively discussion about identity, justice, and peace
Pull just one strand in our world and see how deeply it is connected to many others. In this entertaining and insightful presentation, Ruth Wilde and Peterson Toscano join forces to reveal strange and often unseen connections in the world. Drawing on ancient stories, comedy, and insights from their travels, they weave together a tapestry that covers identity, LGBTQ issues, climate change, justice, peace, and much much more.
Climate Change: What’s Faith Got to Do with It? Crisis, Relationships, Hope, and Our Roles on a New Planet
Challenging times require people of faith to find their place in the world. Spend an evening with peace advocate, Ruth Wilde, and comic storyteller, Peterson Toscano, as they reveal the many ways faith and faith communities are needed on our rapidly changing planet. Filled with hope, examples from the past, and a challenging message for believers today, audience members will leave with specific ideas on how to respond to climate change and a better understanding of the time in which we live.
Beyond Polar Bears and Lightbulbs: A Loving Response to Climate Change
For years we have been told we need to lower our carbon footprints in order to live in harmony with the earth. This presentation brings the conversation to the next level. Ruth Wilde and Peterson Toscano believe there are solutions to taking on our current climate crisis. In fact, they recognize that many opportunities are opening up for earthlings to respond robustly and lovingly to the world around us. Join Ruth and Peterson for a lively presentation and a conversation that deepens our understanding of both climate change and roles we can play on this rapidly changing planet. Discover what love and collective action can do.
Dig Deeper Workshop
(a follow-up to the first three- taking it into 2 days)
Ruth Wilde and Peterson Toscano stir up lots of discussion in their lively presentations. In order to deepen the experience and help communities figure out their next steps, they offer a facilitated discussion that includes small and large group activities designed to dig deeper into the issues raised during their presentation. Come to share your insights and to engage in others in conversation about making the world a better place for all.