Posts Categorized: Environment

Journeying to Rio+20

Tens of thousands of people, from official state delegates to non-profit organizations and social community leaders, are gathering for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development and the parallel People’s Summit. I will be part of the World Council of Churches delegation and will assume the role of observer. My hope is that my observations,… Read more »

World Environment Day and the lead-up to Rio+20

June 18-22, I will attend the People’s Summit with the World Council of Churches delegation. I will be watching the development at the UNCSD, learning from workshops at the People’s Summit, and blogging here for Presbyterians about my experiences while I’m in Rio. My hope is that this will help us to gain a better global understanding of our call to care for God’s creation, even as we continue our local efforts in our own congregations and communities.

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Reflection on Women’s Stories from the MTR and Climate Change Tribunal last week

The Central Appalachian Women’s Tribunal on Climate Justice on May 10, 2012 was a powerful and meaningful event of local women lifting up their voices and engaging in action to protect the health and integrity of their families, their communities, and their land. I was honored and energized to be in this gathering of powerful grassroots advocates who are working hard to take care of the things they love. The speakers and leaders of this event were local residents who shared their personal stories of witnessing to the devastating effects of Mountaintop Removal (MTR) Coal Mining in their homeland of Appalachia. Some of these local women have won prestigious awards, gained national recognition, and/or been interviewed in documentaries for their great efforts. They come from a four state area: TN, WV, VA, and KY.

 

These women’s lives have been drastically impacted by MTR and I was convicted and inspired by their stories. Hearing their testimonies, I am ever more committed to continue to pray and work for an end to the destructive practice of MTR that is damaging this part of God’s creation. I hope you will join me in these efforts, both from reading these glimpses of local residents’ stories and from knowing our biblical, theological, and denomination mandate to care for God’s creation.

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Forest Hill Presbyterian Church celebrates Earth Day

Presbyterian congregations all across the country have been caring for God’s creation in their worship life, educational programs, facilities, and outreach. For many this is an ongoing part of their Christian vocation lived out in the world and it happens year-round.   Earth Day (April 22) is a special day to reflect about why we… Read more »

Webinar on Earth Care Congregations and Environmental Education

The Earth Care Congregations (ECC) program will be a featured segment in a live national “webinar” on Tuesday, May 8, at 4 p.m. Eastern time.

 William Seaman, from the Earth Ministry Team of Montreat Presbyterian Church (a certified PCUSA Earth Care Congregation), has been invited to be a co-presenter and will be giving a case study of how the ECC program reflects excellence in its content and process. Much of his material comes from the national Presbyterian guidebook for the process and from his own experience at Montreat Presbyterian Church.

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Eco-Justice on College Campus

ecumenical ministries at University of Kansas Young adults, faith and the environment: take a look at what this ecumenical ministry is doing for eco-justice!   “For this semester, we are meeting in the ECM at 5pm on Fridays.  The current projects we are concentrating on are working to finish the Eco-Walk project in the Haskell… Read more »

Highlights from Wendell Berry

This whole lecture, from Wendell Berry, is well worth reading, as is most of what Wendell Berry has ever written, in my opinion.  I say this as a Kentuckian, who loves and is connected to the Kentucky countryside. I also say this as a candidate for ministry, having sat through a great “Sacraments and Globalization”… Read more »

A Few Haikus from Adult Education at Takoma Park Presbyterian Church

In the spirit of Earth Day, I thought I’d share with you some fun haikus created by a class I taught last month in Takoma Park, MD.   God so loved the earth and we are called to respond care for it all, well   Gather together the creator’s creation interconnected   Greek God, in… Read more »