World House Institute for Social and Ecological Responsibility

08/29/2026

Dive into the future of animal rights and ethics with a lively chat about laws that actually protect our furry friends.

Ethics, Animal Rights Law, and the Future of Animal Protection: A Multidisciplinary Conversation on Legal Rights, Welfare, Science and Faith

Join us for an engaging in-person event where we dive into the fascinating world of animal rights law. Discover how this field has evolved, its historical milestones, and what’s happening today. Whether you're a legal enthusiast or just curious, this session offers a fresh and lively take on laws that protect our animal friends. This event will present as a lecture panel discussion with opportunity for CLE.

Panelists include:
Dr. Sean Butler - University of Cambridge UK, Co-Director of the Cambridge Centre for Animal Rights Law

Chris Green - Exec. Director for the Animal Legal Defense Fund

Inger Guiffrida - Exec. Director for WildCare Oklahoma

Dr. Mark Davies - Oklahoma City University

Moderator: Melissa Gardner, Ball Morse Lowe, PLLC

See link for date, time, and location.

Dive into the future of animal rights and ethics with a lively chat about laws that actually protect our furry friends.

07/19/2026

On July 28, 2026 at 3 p.m. Central Daylight Time, World House Institute director Mark Davies will be leading a webinar on the environmental implications of AI. This is “a conversation-centered online series created to help church leaders explore the ethical, theological, and practical questions emerging around artificial intelligence in ministry.” The topic of focus is: “AI, Creation Care, and Christian Responsibility.” More information and registration at the link.

https://na.eventscloud.com/ereg/index.php?eventid=876865&&fbclid

06/10/2026

UNITED METHODIST COLLABORATIVE WEBINAR SERIES

Faith and AI Discernment Webinar Series

A conversation-centered online series created to help church leaders explore the ethical, theological, and practical questions emerging around artificial intelligence in ministry.

Session 2- July 28, 2026 at 3pm CST - AI, Creation Care, and Christian Responsibility

Led by Rev. Dr. Mark Davies

See link for more details and registration.

https://na.eventscloud.com/ereg/index.php?eventid=876865&

A conversation-oriented webinar series designed to help church leaders reflect theologically, ethically, and practically on emerging dile

05/19/2026

Global Ministries' Black Earth Wisdom: Book Discussion Series

Starts May 28, 2026!

Register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/HU8Uif0xTYSeWPccE1jeYg #/registration

Meet your leaders:

05/12/2026

Register now for the Global Ministries Black Earth Wisdom Book Discussion Series led by World House Institute Director Mark Davies.

Register Here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/HU8Uif0xTYSeWPccE1jeYg #/registration

05/06/2026

Mark Davies, Director of the World House Institute at Oklahoma City University, will be leading this five-week book discussion on Black Earth Wisdom by Leah Penniman.

Join Global Ministries' Environmental Sustainability unit for a five-week book discussion on "Black Earth Wisdom: Soulful Conversations with Black Environmentalists" by Leah Penniman. 🌎

The book is “a soulful collection of illuminating essays and interviews that explore Black people’s spiritual and scientific connection to the land, waters, and climate, curated by the acclaimed author of Farming While Black.”

📆 Thursdays from 1 to 2:15 p.m. ET from May 28 to June 25, 2026.
💻 Online via Zoom.
🔗 Register here: https://bit.ly/42ku1QF

04/26/2026

Excellent work by all those who helped clean up and revamp the Oklahoma City University Community Garden.

04/16/2026

On April 21, Central Methodist University will welcome Dr. Mark Y. A. Davies back to campus to give the 2026 Perry Lecture on Faith and Science. Davies will present his lecture, titled “Science, Religion, and the United Methodist Social Principles,” at 7 p.m. in the Inman Lecture Hall (Stedman 200).

This will mark the second time Davies has presented in CMU’s academic lecture series, following his 2021 Fleer Lecture address in which he spoke on the climate crisis and the need for ecological community.

Davies is the Wimberly Professor of Social and Ecological Ethics and Director of the World House Institute for Social and Ecological Responsibility at Oklahoma City University, where he has worked in both teaching and administration for 30 years. He is an ordained elder in the Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church, where he has served as Chair of the Board of Church and Society from 2015 to 2018 and co-chair from 2023 to the present. He serves as the environmental ethics consultant for the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church.
https://news.centralmethodist.edu/2026/04/davies-perry-lecture.html

Livestream link here: https://centralmethodist.zoom.us/j/98784871497

On April 21, Central Methodist University will welcome Dr. Mark Y.A. Davies back to campus to give the 2026 Perry Lecture on Faith and Science. Davies will present his lecture, titled “Science, Religion, and the United Methodist Social Principles,” at 7 p.m. in the Inman Lecture Hall (Stedman 20...