Creation Care Network E-news
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Dear friends,
A few days ago I stood beside a river, marveling. Its shining water moved quickly over the stones, and something in me leaped up in greeting. What is it about a river that brings such joy? The Sufi poet Rumi observed, “When you do things from your soul, the river itself moves through you.”
God’s love is like a river that longs to pour through our soul and out into the world, blessing all beings. Lent is a good time to clear away any debris that blocks that flow. If you haven’t done so already, I invite you to sign up for the
Ecumenical Lenten Carbon Fast
.
You will receive a daily email that includes not only practical tips on how to reduce your carbon footprint, but also an inspiring reflection on what a robust Christian response to the climate crisis would look like.
This Lent
I preached in Tucson about the climate crisis and what it means to walk in faith
. As I said in my sermon, “Activists usually depend on people power, but spiritual activists – people who walk in faith – depend on God-power. It is God who energizes and emboldens us, God who gives us power to do more than we can ask or imagine. We live in a time that cries out for the imagination, determination, and heart of people of faith.”
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Rev. Margaret at the meeting of faith leaders and scientists.
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This Lent I also had the opportunity to address an unusual gathering of scientists and faith leaders that was convened by the Archdiocese of Boston. What could a partnership of communities from science and religion accomplish? Scientists typically address “the head” – our capacity for rational inquiry and analysis – and clergy typically address “the heart” – our capacity for moral inquiry, motivation, and compassion.
Together, we may be able to build political momentum to take decisive action on climate. I wrote about this potentially powerful, new coalition in a
recent blog post
.
A version of my blog post about the Women’s March in Northampton, and our quest to pull diverse communities together as we build a more just and resilient society, was
published in Daily Hampshire Gazette
.
My friend Jim Antal just published a must-read book on the vocation of people of faith in a time of climate crisis.
Climate Church, Climate World
(Rowman & Littlefield) contends that climate change is the greatest moral challenge that humanity has ever faced.
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As the book’s description puts it, “Antal urges the church to embrace a new vocation, one focused on collective salvation and an expanded understanding of the Golden Rule (Golden Rule 2.0). He suggests ways people of faith can reorient what they prize through new approaches to worship, preaching, witnessing, and other spiritual practices that honor creation and cultivate hope.” This timely book may well become a classic – it is already being assigned in college classrooms and read in church study groups.
Looking ahead, I am helping to organize an
interfaith climate action
that will take place in Boston on Monday in Holy Week, just before Passover. We are calling it
Exodus from Fossil Fuel
. On March 26, clergy and people of many faiths will gather for a ceremony at 12 Noon at the State House, beseech the Governor to stop expanding fossil fuel infrastructure, and then walk in procession to the site of a new
pipeline construction project. Supported by the prayers of the crowd, a smaller group will carry out non-violent civil disobedience as a witness to our resolve to build a just and livable future
.
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You can download a flier
here
.
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Please join me, and please share the event with your congregation and your faith networks. For more information and to RSVP, visit
our Facebook Event page
. If you feel called to participate in civil disobedience, please indicate that on the RSVP form, and sign up for a training.
Along with many other faith groups, our diocesan Social Justice Commission is sponsoring this event. Episcopal bishops from both Massachusetts dioceses – Bishops Doug Fisher, Alan Gates, and Bud Cederholm – have signed a letter to Governor Baker, asking him to issue an executive order to stop construction of new fossil fuel infrastructure.
I can’t imagine a more meaningful way to follow Jesus through Holy Week this year.
We live in a precarious time. Let’s use these days of Lent to open a path for God’s love to flow freely through us. As the poet says, “When you do things from your soul, the river itself moves through you. Freshness and a deep joy are signs of the current.”
Blessings,
(The Rev. Dr.) Margaret Bullitt-Jonas
Missioner for Creation Care
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Opportunities for engagement
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Lent is a time of reflection, a time when we are called to focus awareness on our relationship with God, God's people, and God's Earth.
The Lenten season gives us a precious opportunity to examine our lifestyles and to take steps to live more gently on the Earth.
This Lent, join the Global Catholic Climate Movement and Anglican Communion Environmental Network in 40 days of fasting and action as part of the Lenten Fast for Creation.
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For a flyer/leaflet, both for hand to hand sharing and sharing via social media, go
here
.
You can find a PDF copy of the Lenten Fast for Creation calendar
here
.
For more information click
here,
and to r
ead the official call, go
here
.
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On March 26th, Monday in Holy Week, join us in Boston as people of many faiths bear witness to climate injustice in Massachusetts and speak truth to Governor Baker about the reality of climate change and the "plagues" that climate change is bringing and will continue to bring... until we break free from fossil fuels and begin to repair our climate for future generations.
The action will include an interfaith ceremony at the State House and a march to Back Bay, where a new pipeline project is slated to power luxury high rises with fracked gas. A smaller group will carry out civil disobedience, witnessing to our determination to create a world in which we use clean renewable energy, God’s creation is protected, and affordable housing is available to all.
To access a flier, go
here
. Check out the Facebook event page
here
.
Please RSVP if you plan to join us!
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Come learn about practical ways to decrease your congregation's carbon footprint and save money at the same time! On March 10, St. Matthew's United Methodist Church is sponsoring SHOW, a workshop on energy efficiency for clergy, lay leaders, and members of building & creation care committees from congregations of all faiths.
Two
attendees per house of worship
are encouraged to attend. Workshop fee is $20. Register
here
in advance.
For more information, visit the church website
here
.
A tour of St. Matthew’s energy efficiency initiatives will follow.
When:
Saturday, March 10, from 8.30am to 12.30pm
Where:
St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church 435 Central Street, Acton, MA 01720
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New England Youth Environmental Justice Summit
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When:
Sat April 7, 2018, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Where:
Brookside Congregational Church, UCC, 2013 Elm Street, Manchester, New Hampshire 03104
Register
here
by April 1, 2018.
Check out the event agenda
here
.
Flier can be found
here
.
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Save the date! The New England Youth Environmental Justice Summit is happening on
April 7th, 2018!
The Summit is open to all middle school, high school and college students, as well as teachers, mentors, pastors, lay leaders and advisors: and anyone interested in acquiring tools for facing the pressing moral issue of climate change.
Anyone interested in eco-justice is welcome to attend.
Come experience a day packed with engaging talks by speakers that include the Rev. Dr. Jim Antal and the Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt, and with workshops led by
Pam Arifian, Marla Marcum, Professor John Ungerleider,
Jehann El-Bisi and Art Desmarais, the
Rev. Eric Jackson, and representatives from 350.org. Explore topics from how our dietary choices impact the environment to the history behind the resistance at Standing Rock. Expand your activism toolbox by learning about public storytelling and active non-violence.
Registration is $20.00 and includes breakfast pastries and lunch.
Scholarships are available!
Contact Rev. Rob Grabill at Rob@ccducc@gmail.com for more details.
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During March and April,
BEAT
(Berkshire Environmental Action Team) is collaborating with the
Wild & Scenic Westfield River Committee
to screen "some amazing films celebrating the natural world and the activists working to protect it."
These films are part of the nationally touring
Wild and Scenic Film Festival.
Join with others throughout the nation for a day of wild, refreshing, and inspiring films about the good work for environmental justice taking place all around the world.
What better way to celebrate the transition into Spring than by renewing your hope and resolve?
Here are showing dates for the Berkshires and Pioneer Valley area:
- March 8, Westfield, from 6:30pm - 10pm, "Festival Launch," Dever Stage, Westfield State University. For more info and tickets visit the WRWA website.
- March 23, Pittsfield, from 6pm - 9pm, Auditorium 111 at Berkshire Community College. Contact BEAT for more info.
- April 14, Northampton, from 2:30pm - 5pm, Smith College, Weinstein Auditorium, Wright Hall. For more info and tickets visit the CEEDS homepage.
- April 20, Huntington, from 6:30pm - 9pm, Gateway High School Auditorium, coinciding with the Westfield River Whitewater Races. For more info and tickets visit the Gateway Hill Towns website.
For an overview and trailers of films to be screened, browse
here
. Be sure to check out each host event pages for details particular to each venue and screening event!
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If you've enjoyed this newsletter, please feel free to forward to one or two friends you think may be interested.
Blessings!
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MBJ photo credit: Tipper Gore, 2014
Rev. Margaret at the meeting of faith leaders and scientists photo credit: G. Tracy, 2018
"globe in hands" photo credit: Noticelj, 2008 (accessed via
Flickr
)
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