Earth Ministry/WAIPL is happy to lead an adult education class for your religious or spiritual community. Our interactive workshops help participants discover and share why they care about creation as a people of faith and conscience, then connect those values to taking action on current actions and campaigns that work towards environmental justice. Call the Earth Ministry/WAIPL office at (206) 632-2426 or email keah@earthministry.org to schedule a visit.
Congregational membership in Earth Ministry/WAIPL at the $250 level or above includes an adult education class. Otherwise, we ask for an honorarium to fund staff time and travel expenses.
Below are examples of the types of classes we commonly teach. Specific workshop content is tailored to meet the needs of each congregation or faith community.
Faith in Action
Faith & Environment
Many spiritual and faith traditions invite people to commit to individual and communal practices that care for the Earth. Before living out this invitation, it is important to understand your own story and how your lived experiences and spiritual traditions call you to care for our world. This introductory workshop helps participants identify and articulate the religious values that underlie our mandate to live more lightly on the Earth.
Greening Congregations
Congregations flourish when members join together in a shared mission. This workshop provides an overview of how to create a congregational Green Team and become a certified Earth Ministry/WAIPL Greening Congregation. With the guidance of Earth Ministry/WAIPL staff, participants explore the “greening” of various aspects of shared life: worship, education, building & grounds, community engagement, and advocacy.
Faithful Advocacy 101
People of faith and conscience have a right and a responsibility to speak up on issues that affect the health of our air, water, land, and communities. Individually and as a community, we have a unique moral voice and are an important constituency for policymakers. While advocacy can seem intimidating and many people don’t know how to begin, this workshop demystifies the process and provides hands-on training for communicating your values to elected officials. Participants emerge as effective faithful advocates for the environment!
Faithful Advocacy in Action
This workshop is designed for faithful advocates looking to engage on an environmental issue of importance in the region. Earth Ministry/WAIPL presents an overview of a current issue, connects it to faith values, and provides an action opportunity for participants to speak up for the common good. Topics offered are determined by relevancy and have included faith community engagement on safe chemical reform, building electrification, salmon/orca/river recovery, and decreasing dependencies on fossil fuels.
Salmon & Orcas
Coming soon!
Fracked Gas
Coming soon!
Parshat Noach
Coming soon!
Tu B’shvat
Coming soon!
Environmental Justice
History of Environmental Justice
Faith communities have had a large role in environmental justice issues and this workshop dives into the history of environmental justice to better highlight the role that people of faith play today. Within the larger framework of equity and justice, we will work together to understand the definition of environmental justice and go over the principles of environmental justice. Understanding how the United Church of Christ helped play an instrumental role in setting the foundation for environmental justice alongside frontline communities, allows participants to see how they can continue to be advocates for an equitable and just society.
Where Is Environmental Justice in Our State?
Want to know more on environmental justice issues in Washington? This workshop focuses on understanding where the state is when it comes to environmental justice. Using the work of our environmental justice task force, disparities map, the work around and through the HEAL act, various legislative accomplishments or losses, and envisioning what comes next, we are able to understand where our state stands on prioritizing the health of impacted communities and the environment. We will also highlight local organizations doing the work.
Spiritual Health
Eco-anxiety
Coming soon!