Faith in Action: Earth Ministry in the Washington State Legislature
The Earth Ministry community was active and visible in advocating for God’s creation during the 2009 session! In Olympia, Program & Outreach Director Jessie Dye joined with other members of the Religious Coalition for the Common Good to present a state-wide social and environmental justice agenda to elected officials.
The Earth Ministry community was active and visible in advocating for God’s creation during the 2009 session! In Olympia, Program & Outreach Director Jessie Dye joined with other members of the Religious Coalition for the Common Good to present a state-wide social and environmental justice agenda to elected officials. Jessie spoke of our moral responsibility to reverse the effects of climate change in meetings with Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, Speaker of the House Frank Chopp, Senator Kelli Linville, and Governor Christine Gregoire. Earth Ministry members also testified at three legislative committee hearings in support of the Environmental Priorities’ climate change bills. Climate scientist Gary Lagerloef of Grace Episcopal Church addressed the Senate Environment, Water and Energy committee; Father Joseph Kramis spoke on behalf of Transit Oriented Communities legislation in the House Local Government Committee; and Sister Mimi Maloney testified in support of the Cap and Invest bill in the House Ecology & Parks Committee.
Closer to home, five Earth Ministry friends from Emmanuel Episcopal on Mercer Island had an in-district meeting with their state senator to advocate for the Environmental Priorities, and leaders from six churches on the east side of Lake Washington had a similar meeting with elected officials from the 45th Legislative District. Activists from Earth Ministry congregations also collected signatures on over 100 Repower Washington postcards at the Bainbridge Island Environmental Film Series and at St. James Cathedral in Seattle. The message to legislators is that by repowering our state with clean energy, we can stimulate our economy while cleaning up pollution that threatens Earth’s climate. All of these activities mean that the voice of the faith community – your voice – is being heard loud and clear in the state capitol, but there is more work to be done. Be sure to join us for Faith Advocacy Day on March 17 to keep the pressure on for good environmental legislation! (see Calendar)
