Interfaith Creation Festival News Clippings

Interfaith Creation Festival

Festival will address a 'universal human cirsis,' call people to a response Derek Eisel leads work parties for Heron Habitat Helpers, cares for a stretch of stream-side habitat in Carkeek Park, and writes a blog celebrating the good work volunteers are doing in Seattle. But it's only recently that the St. James Cathedral member has connected his work for creation with his faith. [Derek Eisel is a board member of Earth Ministry, which co-sponsored the Interfaith Creation Festival.]

God’s Good Earth: Seattle's Interfaith Creation Festival connects spirituality and concern for the Earth

Seattle has never been known as the epicenter of faith, religion or spirituality in the U.S., but for four days from May 31 to June 3 faith and spirituality will be at the center of the Emerald City as Seattle-based Earth Ministry will host its first annual Interfaith Creation Festival.

Taking care of the Earth from a religious perspective

"This is the Dave Ross Show on News Radio 710 KIRO....Coming up in this hour we're going to talk about taking care of the Earth from a religious perspective. Religious environmentalism is the new thing. In fact, there is going to be an interfaith creation festival going on here in town. That would sound like something to do with intelligent design, but it actually has to do with the environment and your obligation, especially if you believe in God, to protect it. In fact we have in the study today Rabbi Lawrence Troster and LeeAnne Beres who are both participating in this. Rabbi Troster is the rabbinic scholar in residence for Green Faith in New Jersey and LeeAnne is with Earth Ministry, an ecumenical Christian organization dedicated to stewardship of the Earth...."

Faith and flora come together

From faith groups carrying signs at climate-change rallies to prominent evangelical Christians speaking out on the topic, people of faith appear to be increasingly involved in environmental issues. Now, some local Christians, Jews and Muslims have launched what they say is the largest interfaith environmental event in the area. [Earth Ministry co-sponsored the Interfaith Creation Festival.]

The global agenda: stewardship vs. stalling

In the absence of leadership on climate change from the White House, remarkable movements are under way in statehouses, boardrooms and places of worship. Religious leaders from Islamic, Jewish and Christian traditions around the country explored the role of their faiths in caring for the Earth and all creation. The Faith & Environment Festival was held in four locations: Town Hall, Seattle First Baptist Church, Temple De Hirsch Sinai and St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral. [Earth Ministry co-sponsored the Interfaith Creation Festival.]

A covenant to take care of the Creator's handiwork

Fifteen years after the pioneering Earth Ministry was founded in Seattle to link religion and the environment, the nation's attention will be drawn back to the city toward another, potentially broader spiritual awakening. Next April, the national Episcopal Church will team with Episcopalians in Western Washington to host a conference to launch a multifaith campaign on climate change. [Earth Ministry provided workshops and panel presentations at the HOPE conference.]