Everyone is invited for a very special evening with Laurie Patton, 17th President of Middlebury College and an authority on South Asian history, culture and religion, and Bill McKibben, Schumann Distinguished Scholar at Middlebury College, environmental activist, and best-selling author, at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, May 2 at the Champlain Valley Unitarian Universalist Society in Middlebury. This event is the third and final in a series expressing gratitude to the community for supporting the North Branch School over the past 15 years.

Every third year the North Branch School focuses on comparative religion. Students are encouraged to explore theological issues and questions: who, or what is god? What is my holy grail? How do we reconcile the observable, physical world with notions of faith and the spirit? How is religion both a force of unity and division among humans?

The final event will begin with a cash bar and reception by Lauren Gammon's Nomadic Chef Catering followed by a short film about the North Branch School by local filmmaker Ned Castle in conjunction with the Vermont Folklife Center entitled, “Life is the School.” Immediately following the film, Mr. McKibben and Dr. Patton will discuss how education at both the secondary and higher education levels is evolving, and the role of religion and spirituality in these places of learning.

There will be a question and answer period following the discussion. The event is free and open to the public. Seating will be available on a first come, first serve basis. The North Branch School thanks Dr. Patton, Bill McKibben and the Doug Fund of the Vermont Community Foundation for making this event possible, and CVUUS for hosting this event. Directions and parking information may be found at www.northbranchschool.org