Posts Tagged: rio+20

Share Your Voice for Sustainable Development

Let’s contribute the voice of people of faith to United Nations conversations still emerging out of the Rio+20 conversations from late June. Called by God to care for creation, we can write, speak, and stand up for sustainability throughout all the earth. Read more »

Final Reflection on Rio+20 UN Conference

  Scriptural calls to confession and active repentance/turning Isaiah 5:8 Ah, you who join house to house, who add field to field, until there is room for no one but you, and you are left to live alone in the midst of the land!   Job 28:9-12 They put their hand to the flinty rock,… Read more »

Rio Reflection: Human Vocation

 Scripture Gen 2:5-15 In the day that the Holy God made the earth and the heavens, when no plant of the field was yet in the earth and no herb of the field had yet sprung up—for the Holy God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was no one to… Read more »

Rio Reflection: Gifts of Creation

Scripture: Genesis 1:31a God saw everything that God had made, and indeed, it was very good. Psalm 104: 1-4 Bless the Holy One, O my soul….you make the clouds your chariot, you ride on the wings of the wind, you make the winds your messengers, fire and flame your ministers… John 3:16-17 For God so… Read more »

Perspectives on Rio+20

News and perspectives from diverse conversation partners at the People’s Summit: United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (official web site)   Clic here to read the Rio+20 Outcome Document being discussed for adoption by heads of states.   Video of NGOS speaking at the United Nations, feeling that Rio+20 is not the future we want…. Read more »

Rio Reflection: Community

Scripture Ecclesiastes 3:19 For the fate of humans and the fate of animals is the same; as one dies, so dies the other.   Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one, because they have good reward for their toil. For if they fail, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is… Read more »

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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