NCC Eco-Justice Working Group -- Capsules: May 2004

May 2004

On Earth Day, The National Council of Churches issued a letter to the White House criticizing President Bush's clean air policies. The letter, signed by 95 national and state religious leaders, was featured in numerous media stories and in a full-page New York Times ad.

Indigenous Environmental Netowrk 13th Annual Protecting Mother Earth gathering. June 17-20, Elk Creek Resort, South Dakota.

Annual Thomas Berry Award and Lecture, May 11, Interfaith Center of New York. Contact Jonathoan Cerullo at 212-685-4242.

The North American Coalition for Christianity is sponsoring "Bringing the Church Back Down to Earth: How Progressive Christians Embrace Ecology," a conference to be held June 25-27 in St. Paul, MN. Click here for information.

The Witness online newsletter produced by the Episcopal Church dedicated its April 22 issue to eco-justice issues.

United Congregational Methodist Church (Salamanca, NY) produced a sigx week study on "Reconciliation: Repairing our relationships with God, each other and our planet." For an outline of the program, contact Rev. Bob Thomas at bobuc2@juno.com or 716-945-2120.

Read the spring Green Sanctuary newsletter from the Unitarian Universalist Association.

Eco-Justice Working Group

Church of the Brethren

Environmental Justice Office of Presbyterian Church (USA)

Presbyterian Washington Office

Episcopal Ecological Network

Greek Orthodox Church in America

Luthern Earthkeeping Network of the Synods

Reformed Church in America

United Church of Christ

United Methodist Board of Church and Society

Call for Clergy on Climate Justice
Clergy and religious leaders are supporting the Climate Stewardship Act (tentively scheduled to be voted on in the Senate in early June) by signing the Clergy Climate Justice letter. The historic Climate Stewardship Act calls for domestic, mandeatory, and economywide reductions in the emissions of heat-trapping gases to 2000 levels by the year 2010. This act will help us work towards justice for all of God's creation including future generations. We are looking for clergy support in states such as Nebraska, Tennessee, Louisiana, Indiana, Arkansas, Montana, Illinois, Ohio, West Virginia, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Maine. For more information, visit www.nccecojustice.org. To sign the letter, contact Cassandra at cassandra@toad.net.

Maryland Hosts H2oly Water Event
MidAtlantic lay leaders and clergy will gather in Annapolis, Maryland, to focus on water issues from a faith perspective during H2oly Water: Source of Life, Friday evening, June 25, and Saturday, June 26 at Calvary United Methodist Church on College Creek. Sponsored by Maryland's Interfaith Coalition on the Environment and the National Council of Churches, this green gathering features inspirational services, "green" building tours, water stewardship training for congregations, and hands on workshops. A special Clergy Training event will be held Monday, June 28, aboard a historic Chesapeake Bay skipjack (pictured above). Click here for more information.

Religious Leaders Make Earth Day News
On Earth Day, almost 100 national and state leaders of the National Council of Churches made news by sending President Bush expressing grave moral concern over the President's stewarship of the environment--particularly on the Administration's "clean air" policies and its implications on public health. The story was picked up by the Associated Press and featured on CNN.com. Click here to view the letter to President Bush and the news release.

Episcopal Bishop Makes Inroads at BP
For the first time publicly, BP, third largest oil company and fifth largest corporation in the world, announced April 15 that it has no future plans to drill in the Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). The announcement came immediately following comments made by Episcopal Bishop Mark MacDonald of Alaska, who was present at the 2004 BP Annual General Meeting in London to co-present a shareholder’s resolution directing BP to report on the risks associated with operating in sensitive and protected areas, including ANWR. Click here for the news story.

Congregational Update:
All Saints Parish receives Energy Star award
All Saint Parish (Brookline, Massachusetts) won the 2003 Energy Star for Congregations award for saving nearly $4,900 a year on utility bills despite an increase in operating hours. After conducting an energy audit, the church installed energy efficient lights and heating and hot water systems. In addition, the congregation is purchasing green power generated from 100 percent renewable resources. Their efforts have resulted in gas savings of 6,800 therms and is preventing nearly 78,000 pounds of carbon dioxide pollution per year. Click here for the entire story. For information on Energy Star for Congregations, click here.

Advocacy Alerts and Legislative Update
Climate Stewardship Act. The Climate Stewardship Act, which was narrowly defeated earlier this Congressional session, is tentively scheduled to come back up for a vote later this month. This historic act would . Click here to learn more about the Climate Stewardship Act. If you are a clergy member or religious leader and want to sign the Climate Justitice Letter, contact Cassandra Carmichael, eco-justice director.

Faith Leaders Meet with Senators and staff. The National Religious Partnership for Environment helped organize a Senate Breakfast April 20. The breakfast, sponsored by Senators Brownback and Lieberman, was attended by Senators and staff as well as religious leaders. The event featured theological reflections and an introduction to faith and environmental issues.

From the Desk of . . .
by: Cassandra Carmichael, NCC eco-justice program director
When a good friend of mine bought a hybrid car I was struck by how enthusiastic he was. I got almost daily updates on his gas mileage and sat patiently at social events as he gave envious friends hybrid vehicle demostrations. It has served as a reminder to me that voicing our passion and sharing the "light" of creation stewardship is not only necessary, but joyful. When 95 national and state religious leaders signed a President Bush criticizing his Clear Skies initiative, I was pleasantly surprised to receive hundreds of letters, emails and phone calls from people who were deeply grateful for the letter and encouraged by the fact that we as a faith community are making our voices heard.

"No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a vessel, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, that those who enter may see the light." --Luke 11:33 (RSV)