How A Doctor and A Reverend On Oahu Became Climate Warriors

From Hawaii-

“It is a true public health emergency,” declares a call for policy action issued this year by the American Medical Association and 73 other medical groups.

Religious leaders are also driving action for climate justice. While many evangelical Christians reject the premise of climate change as a crisis spawned by humans, other Christian congregations are mobilizing to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

The Episcopal church, notably, has called out climate change denial as immoral. Regardless of the official U.S. stance on the Paris climate agreement, the church maintains that it’s still committed to the international solutions deal.

Civil Beat talked to a Honolulu doctor and a Kailua Episcopal reverend who are taking new approaches to their work in the face of a warming climate.

More here-

https://www.civilbeat.org/2019/11/how-a-doctor-and-reverend-in-oahu-joined-a-new-wave-of-climate-warriors/

Vt. Episcopal Bishop Shannon MacVean-Brown On Inclusivity, Community And 'Creation Care'

From Vermont-

Rev. Shannon MacVean-Brown is the first black woman to lead the Vermont Episcopal Church, and just one of three black women to hold the title of bishop in New England. MacVean-Brown says that experiencing this "otherness" can be uncomfortable, but it's also what informs her ministry. 

Listen to Rev. Shannon MacVean-Brown speak with Morning Edition host Mitch Wertlieb above.

Church work called to MacVean-Brown from the beginning. She grew up in a religious household, though she said her parents also allowed her plenty of freedom to explore. 

“Even at one point I thought I wanted to be Buddhist,” she said.”But I just kept having conversations with Jesus, and that doesn’t quite work.”

More here-

https://www.vpr.org/post/vt-episcopal-bishop-shannon-macvean-brown-inclusivity-community-and-creation-care#stream/0

Home World South American Church leaders call for 'zero deforestation' following Amazon fires

From Christian Today-

Anglican bishops from across South America have united in a call to governments around the world to implement zero deforestation policies following the devastating fires that have raged in the Amazon. 

In a joint statement, the bishops said that the fires reflected "human pride and disobedience against God's command to be stewards of His creation". 

They want to see governments implement laws and programmes aimed at protecting and restoring the Amazon rainforest as they warned of destruction to biodiversity and homes.

They said that delaying such action could see an increase in natural disasters.

"We believe that without genuine repentance on the part of all of us, we will continue to pay a huge price with greater disasters than those we have recently seen in our countries," they said. 

More here-

https://www.christiantoday.com/article/south-american-church-leaders-call-for-zero-deforestation-following-amazon-fires/133365.htm

Speaker to explore intersection of religion, climate change

From Western Massachusetts-

The Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas believes religion and climate change are not mutually exclusive subjects, but rather that individuals can prepare themselves spiritually to combat climate change in their own lives.

This belief will be the topic of Bullitt-Jonas’ free talk titled “Earth Care, Soul Care: Reflections from the Front Lines,” Thursday at the First Congregational Church in Ashfield. The event, which starts at 7 p.m., will be preceded by a 6 p.m. potluck.

“I’m deeply concerned about the climate crisis,” Bullitt-Jonas said, adding that “I really feel that at this point, we need a power greater than ourselves” to guide our relationships with the Earth.
Her concern about the planet led her to a unique role. In 2013, she became the minister for creation care for the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts. That role turned into an ecumenical one — she is also the minister of care for the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ.

More here-

https://www.recorder.com/When-the-Spirit-Fights-for-the-Earth-local-talk-on-religion-s-role-to-combat-climate-change-28999998

Progressive seminary students offered a confession to plants. How do we think about sins against nature?

From The Washington Post-

When I was a child, I spoke to trees. I knew my secrets would be safe with these great green friendly things. And I thought the trees spoke back to me. I’d press my ear against their trunks to hear the reverberating, strangely musical sound of branches knocking against one another in the wind, a sound that seems to be traveling to my ear from the decades coded into each tree’s annual growth rings.

I’m comfortable talking to plants, but I’m not sure if I could do so through a microphone in front of a bunch of seminarians, as a student at Union Theological Seminary is doing in a photo tweeted out Tuesday by the seminary’s account:

Today in chapel, we confessed to plants. Together, we held our grief, joy, regret, hope, guilt and sorrow in prayer; offering them to the beings who sustain us but whose gift we too often fail to honor.

What do you confess to the plants in your life?

More here-

https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2019/09/18/progressive-seminary-students-offered-confession-plants-what-are-we-make-it/

Birmingham church houses beehives to better the environment

From Alabama-

Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church is caring for honeybees as it takes steps to be more sustainable and god to the environment.

The church has three beehives. Church Rector, John Burruss says it’s about more than just keeping bees for honey. 

“One of the values at Saint Stephens Episcopal Church is recognizing that everything in the creative world is sacred. Bees play such a critical role in our health,” said Burruss. “They’re responsible for about 30 to 45 percent of our food. And 90 percent of wildflowers so caring for bees is a way of helping our congregation recognize the importance of caring for creation, and of caring for our food and where it comes from.”

Burruss says the hive is symbolic of the church and its parishioners.

More here-

https://www.cbs42.com/top-news/birmingham-church-houses-beehives-to-better-the-environment/

Mt. Lebanon Episcopal church looks to the heavens for its electricity

From Pittsburgh-

St. Paul Episcopal Church in Mt. Lebanon is the first church in the area to “go solar.” The church’s array of 51 rooftop solar panels were dedicated and blessed with holy water at a recent “moving off the grid” ceremony.

The Right Rev. Dorsey W. M. McConnell, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh, and the Rev. Noah H. Evans, rector at St. Paul, dedicated the solar panels at the June 8 event.

The panels were activated at the end of March. For the first full month of use, the church saw a 70% reduction in the amount of purchased electricity. The church, which is a three-story building that is in use seven days a week, previously had a monthly electric bill of $1,000 to $1,300.

Some months, the panels could even make more electricity than the church uses, and generating rebates from the church’s electricity provider, Duquesne Light. So far, the church has received about $400 in reimbursements.

More here-

https://www.post-gazette.com/local/south/2019/06/11/St-Paul-Episcopal-Church-Mt-Lebanon-solar-energy/stories/201906130009

Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, church goes solar

From Pittsburgh-

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Mt. Lebanon will celebrate its “moving off the grid” when it formally inaugurates its newly installed solar panels during a blessing ceremony to take place on Saturday, June 8 at 3:30 p.m.

Bishop Dorsey McConnell of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh will officiate the service from the roof of the church.

St. Paul’s is the first church in southwestern Pennsylvania to install its own solar panels on-site, while others have switched to solar power through cooperatives or third-party electric providers, according to Pennsylvania Interfaith Power and Light, a State College-based organization that helps communities of faith respond to climate change.

More here-

https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/pressreleases/mt-lebanon-pennsylvania-church-goes-solar/?fbclid=IwAR02BfH518_JKJhZbpTTUci8YLJ9VLP4_3VYOUFtySY5lQ7E3MbwknNPi_k

Church Pension Invests $40 Million in Clean Energy Projects

From Chief Investment Officer-

The Church Pension Fund (CPF), a financial services organization that serves the Episcopal Church, has invested $40 million in the New Energy Capital Infrastructure Credit Fund II, LP, which will invest across clean energy infrastructure assets in North America, including solar, wind, energy efficiency, storage, and water.

The fund is managed by New Energy Capital Partners, LLC (NEC), an alternative asset management firm that invests across the capital structures of small and mid-sized clean energy infrastructure projects and companies.

“This investment will support the development and operation of clean energy infrastructure assets throughout North America,” Roger Sayler, CIO of the Church Pension Fund, said in a release. “We look forward to building our relationship with NEC as we continue to explore future impact investments that meet our goal of generating attractive returns with positive social impact.”

More here-

https://www.ai-cio.com/news/church-pension-invests-40-million-clean-energy-projects/

Churches partnering with conservation groups to connect better with nature

From Scotland-

Churches in Scotland are being encouraged to turn their grounds into wildlife habitats with the help of conservation groups.

The partnerships are being formed thanks to a new scheme launched last year by RSPB Scotland, Eco Congregation Scotland, the Church of Scotland, and the Scottish Episcopal Church.

Belhelvie Church in Aberdeenshire is one of the first churches to pilot the Faith Action for Nature project encouraging churches to engage with their natural surroundings.

Faith Action for Nature provides resources and advice to help churches establish links with local conservation groups.

As part of the project, members of the Belhelvie congregation have been working with the RSPB on how they can make their church grounds a home for birds and other wildlife. 

More here-

https://www.christiantoday.com/article/churches-partnering-with-conservation-groups-to-connect-better-with-nature/132073.htm

North Dakota officials seek dismissal of road closure suit

From North Dakota-

“The plaintiffs’ peaceful protests were disrupted by a violent criminal faction that required responsible public officials to take necessary and appropriate steps to quell a criminal riot, protect private property from criminal activity and to ensure public safety,” Nicolai said.

TigerSwan asked to be dismissed as a defendant, arguing that it had nothing to do with the decision to close the road. Attorney Lynn Boughey also asked U.S. District Judge Dan Hovland to force the plaintiffs to pay the company’s attorney fees.

The three plaintiffs are reservation businesswoman Cissy Thunderhawk, pipeline opponent Waste’Win Young and the Rev. John Floberg of St. James’ Episcopal Church in Cannon Ball. They’re suing the county, its sheriff, Burgum and Dalrymple, and the heads of the state Transportation Department and Highway Patrol.

In addition to the monetary damages, the lawsuit seeks stricter rules for road closures in such instances and class-action status, meaning it would apply to all affected people, if granted.

More here-

https://www.kfyrtv.com/content/news/North-Dakota-officials-seek-dismissal-of-road-closure-suit-504383701.html

Anglican priest gets seven days’ jail time for Trans Mountain protest

From Vancouver-

An Anglican priest and a member of her church were sentenced to seven days in jail, but avoided paying costly legal fees, for staging a protest on Trans Mountain’s Burnaby property in May.

Priest Laurel Dykstra and parishioner Lini Hutchings, both from the environmentally-focused church Salal and Cedar, appeared calm as they heard the sentencing on Friday, maintaining in their final statements that they were acting to protect Indigenous lands. The pair were arrested after chaining themselves to a tree, which breached an injunction that barred protesters from coming within five metres of Trans Mountain’s property.

More here-

https://www.thestar.com/vancouver/2018/11/23/anglican-priest-gets-seven-days-jail-time-for-trans-mountain-protest.html

Episcopal Diocese Hosts ‘Climate Action’ Multi-Faith Service, Procession With Circus ‘Tree Stilt Walkers’

From California-

The Episcopal Diocese of California recently held a multi-faith service in collaboration with the “Global Climate Action Summit,” beginning with a procession that included circus stilt men adorned with leaves.

According to reports, the event was held at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco on Sept. 12 and featured music, dancing, art, and a performance by the Tree Stilt Walkers of Cirque Berzerk, who also walked down the aisle alongside representatives of the Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist religions, among others.“The service includes … video greetings and words of encouragement from global faith leaders including His Holiness the Dalai Lama; His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople (via a representative); the Most Reverend Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church (via video); and members of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s monastic community,” the event website reads.

More here-

https://christiannews.net/2018/09/21/episcopal-diocese-hosts-climate-action-multi-faith-service-procession-with-circus-tree-stilt-walkers/

Anglican Church Declares War on Climate Change Before It Becomes ‘Unstoppable’

From Breitbart-

The global Anglican Church is uniting in a common crusade against “climate change and biodiversity loss” with its “Letters for Creation” campaign that runs until October 4.

The initiative features a series of letters published Tuesday from different provinces of the Anglican communion around the world describing the alleged negative effects of global warming as well as a common effort to combat it.

The letters are meant to promote “the Season of Creation,” a campaign that runs from 1 September to 4 October, in response to an appeal by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby to his fellow Primates to set out what “the care for God’s creation” means in their Province as well as what they wanted to say to the wider Anglican Communion about “the care for our common home.”

More here-

https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2018/09/19/anglican-church-declares-war-climate-change/

'What We Love, We Will Protect'

From Sojourners-

Churches are typically peaceful. But the silence inside San Francisco’s iconic Grace Cathedral was particularly welcoming last Wednesday.

Hundreds gathered within the gothic building for a Multi-Faith Service of Wondering and Commitment hosted by the Episcopal Diocese of California and nonprofits GreenFaith and Interfaith Power & Light. Participants were invited to reflect on and be inspired by the wonders of creation. But they were also encouraged to make bold new commitments to protect the planet and its inhabitants from the ravages of climate change.

“What we love, we will protect,” the Rt. Rev. Marc Handley Andrus, Episcopal Bishop of California, told the estimated 500 attendees. “That’s the spirit that we’re undertaking with this service.

More here-

https://sojo.net/articles/what-we-love-we-will-protect

‘Green’ service connects people to creation

From Minnesota-

For centuries, people have worshiped in hallowed spaces of brick or wood, with sunlight streaming through colored glass and music swelling to arched ceilings.

But what of the hallowed spaces of glens or rolling hills, with sunlight streaming through foliage and music swelling to heaven itself?

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Elk River attempts to bring people back to the latter space with the annual outdoor “green” worship service. The service was held on Aug. 5 this year.

“We have made a conscious effort to focus on the environment and on the Earth and creation,” the Rev. Rob Cavanna said. “It’s really quite poignant and inspirational, we think.”

More here-

https://www.hometownsource.com/elk_river_star_news/community/elk_river/green-service-connects-people-to-creation/article_d94c287e-9ccf-11e8-b1df-b3572862a096.html

More than 5,500 UK churches put faith in clean energy

From Business Green-

More than 5,500 churches and cathedrals across the UK have put their faith in 100 per cent renewable power, helping divert over £5m each year from fossil fuels towards green energy providers, Christian Aid revealed today.

Thanks to a raft of group buying schemes, thousands of Church of England, Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Quaker, and Salvation Army places of worship now run on renewable energy, according to the charity.

The news follows the CofE's recent decision to sell its shares in fossil fuel companies which it deems are not on track to meet the aims of the Paris Agreement.

As well as small parish churches, the cohort of sites running on green power includes fifteen Anglican cathedrals such as Salisbury, Bristol, Sheffield and York Minster, which are all now on 100 per cent renewable electricity tariffs through the CofE's Parish Buying procurement group.

More here-

https://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/3037019/praise-be-more-than-5-500-uk-churches-put-faith-in-clean-energy

Stop politicising Mau issue, Archbishop Sapit urges politicians

From Kenya-

Anglican Archbishop Jackson ole Sapit has urged politicians to stop meddling in the Mau Forest evictions.

He said the water tower is the source of several rivers, and its protection should not be politicised.

“The preservation of Mau Forest should not be politicised. We are seeing politicians from certain communities politicising the issue for their own gain. They should remember that at the top of Mau is the main swamp that distributes water to other rivers,” he said.

“The environment is groaning because people have destroyed it. We urge the President not to relent in the preservation of Mau Forest and other water catchment areas across the country,” he added.

Archbishop Sapit, who hails from Narok, where some rivers whose source is the Mau Forest Complex, said they were beginning to dry up due to uncontrolled human activity.

More here-

https://mobile.nation.co.ke/counties/Stop-politicising-Mau-issue--ole-Sapit-urges-politicians-/1950480-4687704-otecj/index.html 

and here-

https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2018/07/30/dont-politicise-mau-forest-eviction-sapit-tells-leaders_c1794586

Clergy robes made entirely from recycled plastic bottles go on sale

From The Church Times-

CASSOCKS and tippets (scarves) made entirely from recycled plastic bottles have gone on sale for the first time, in response to the growing movement away from single-use plastics.

The clerical-wear company Butler & Butler has sourced a fabric made from melted-down plastic bottles, which is formed into threads and then woven into cassocks and scarves.

The end result is a “really soft fabric which is much nicer than reg­ular polyester”, its director, the Revd Simon Butler, said.

Forty recycled bottles are used to make each cassock. The plastic cassocks cost £189, and scarves, £45.

The company began looking for a recycled plastic fabric when stories of pollution caused by plastics began hitting the headlines.

Their range of clerical wear previously included Fairtrade pure-cotton shirts, as well as poly-cotton, which is partially derived from plastics.

“We began asking: is there some­­where that recycles plastics, which we can use? We eventually found a company in India which provides us with a recycled plastic fabric. It is more expensive for us to buy because of the extra process, but it produces a really nice fabric.

More here-

 https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2018/18-may/news/uk/clergy-robes-made-entirely-from-recycled-plastic-bottles-go-on-sale

Protesting pastors arrested at Kinder Morgan facility in Burnaby

From British Columbia-

An Anglican priest and a Mennonite pastor were among those arrested after protesting with some 20 religious leaders outside Trans Mountain’s Westridge Marine terminal Friday.

Religious and faith leaders set up blockades at both entrances to the terminal, turning away workers and vehicles from 5:30 a.m. Friday morning, and stayed into the afternoon, protesting, singing and praying. The group responded to an invitation from Tsleil-Waututh Nation member Will George to religious leaders and “all people of faith and spirit” to oppose the project.

Burnaby RCMP informed the group they could face criminal charges for protesting. Justice Kenneth Affleck, who issued the injunction order, previously recommended that, due to the public nature of the breaches, demonstrators should face criminal sanctions.

Rev. Emelie Smith, the parish priest at St. Barnabus Anglican Church in New Westminster, was the first person arrested. She said she was protesting because she felt compelled by her faith to support local Indigenous peoples’ opposition to the pipeline.

More here-

https://www.kamloopsmatters.com/bc-news/protesting-pastors-arrested-at-kinder-morgan-facility-in-burnaby-900828