by Rev. John Helmiere, Seattle, WA Winner of the Franciscan Philanthropist Award
I Worship the Author of the Horrendous Space Kablooie
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Spiritual community gets environmentally involved
By Tom Watson The Seattle Times September 11, 2010 Q: How are religion and the environment becoming more connected, and why is this significant? A: National movements such as "Creation Care" and "evangelical environmentalism" have focused attention on environmental concerns in a religious context, and some churches have made green projects a pillar of their community activities.
Top 10 Religious Environmental Saints
By Mallory McDuff The Huffington Post September 02, 2010 "I Sing a Song of the Saints of God" was one of my grandmother's favorite hymns: "And one was a doctor and one was a queen, and one was a shepherdess on the green. They were all of them saints of God and I mean, God helping, to be one too."
Autumn 2010 Earth Letter
This Fall issue of Earth Letter has a three-article focus on sin and grace as revealed in our human interaction with the rest of creation. Earth Ministry staff member Clare Brauer-Rieke utilizes biblical and theological foundations to explore sin as human separation from creation and suggests opportunities for grace. Rev. Pamela Dolan uses the recent BP oil spill as an example of a human-made, disastrous sin. Finally, the United Methodist Women provide thoughtful points for consideration for avoiding environmental and racial sin in the planning of their national conferences. Their inspirational focus is a beacon for ways we too can move forward as empowered people of faith.
Faith-based pro-environment trend growing in Washington, nation
By Mallory McDuff
The Bellingham Herald
August 11, 2010
Here in Washington state, everybody's doing it: Evangelicals, Episcopalians, Roman Catholics, Jews, Buddhists, and Muslims. Prayer in response to the environment and the oil spill has become a form of social action for creation.
Eat, pray, love: A new green gospel
By Mallory McDuff
USA Today
August 09, 2010
This summer I've been waiting for the opening of the movie Eat, Pray, Love with an anticipation that is a bit different from my hope that Congress would find effective strategies to address climate change. The difference? I don't think I'll be disappointed with the movie's ending.
Let us pray for a clean environment
By Mallory McDuff
Charlotte Observer
August 05, 2010
Everybody's doing it: Evangelicals, Episcopalians, Southern Baptists, Roman Catholics, Jews, Buddhists and Muslims. Prayer in response to the oil spill has become a form of social action for creation.
Senate Stalls on Climate and Clean Energy Solutions
Jul 28, 2010
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid released a narrow oil spill response bill yesterday that incorporates some modest energy provisions. But the Senate will fail to tackle comprehensive climate and energy legislation before the August recess, missing an historic opportunity to launch America’s transition to a new and brighter energy future.
Business, Faith & Public Health Leaders Voice Support for Western Climate Initiative Design Document & Economic Analysis
Jul 27, 2010
Today the Western Climate Initiative (WCI) released its "Design for the WCI Regional Program" that outlines the guiding principles which states and provinces can use to develop the programs that will increase clean energy production and reduce climate change pollution. The WCI is a coalition of seven U.S. states and four Canadian provinces that have been working together since 2007 to identify, evaluate and implement policies to address climate change.
Summer 2010 Earth Letter
This issue features the role of youth and young adults (up to 25 years old) involved in environmental activism in a variety of settings. Some are from other countries, some are from other parts of the USA, and some are from Seattle. One is a poet whose poetry is included in a recent book by poet and author Naomi Shihab Nye: Time You Let Me In, containing the works of 25 poets under 25 years of age. In addition, there is an article by Kaitlin Torgerson, a former Lutheran Volunteer Corps staff member at Earth Ministry. Each year Earth Ministry is aided by having an LVC recent college graduate join our staff for a year of service – Kaitlin worked with us from 2007-2008. We hope that you are inspired by learning about the work of all of these inspirational young adults.
Wash., TransAlta reach deal on mercury, haze
The Associated Press
June 21, 2010
OLYMPIA, Wash.
The Washington Department of Ecology has reached a deal to reduce mercury and smog-causing pollution at a major coal-fired power plant though environmentalists say it doesn't go far enough.
Ecology's agreement with TransAlta Corp. released Monday would allow the Canada-based company to control smog-causing nitrogen oxides primarily through measures already in place.
Supporting local economies and pushing national change
By Rev. Robert L. Jeffrey Sr
The Seattle Times
June 16, 2010
OUR nation watches with grief and horror at the BP oil disaster unfolding in the Gulf of Mexico. The result of our abuse of nature convulses whole communities, ecosystems, industries and species. We were given a garden by our Creator, and God in the Bible tells us to till and keep the Earth, to be good stewards of His Creation.
Yakima church takes the green way and wins state honor
By Jane Gargas
The Yakima Herald
June 13, 2010
YAKIMA, Wash. -- Step by step, they're leaving a smaller footprint. They recycle. They walk, bike and carpool. They eschew Styrofoam. Light bulbs are CFL (energy savers known as compact fluorescent light bulbs). The garden is chemical-free. In short, members of Wesley United Methodist Church are looking after the Earth.
Senate Gets Cracking on Clean Energy and Climate
May 12, 2010
Seattle and statewide: After months of tough deliberations, today Senator John Kerry (D-MA), Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) released a discussion draft of their major climate and clean-energy legislation. Along with the CLEAR Act introduced by Senators Cantwell (D-WA) and Collins (R-ME), this proposal sets the stage for comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation this year.
Spring 2010 Earth Letter
This issue begins with an enchanting article by Scott Russell Sanders. In Goings-On we highlight some of the many ways Earth Ministry has been active in the last few months. It is always good to know what the organization is doing with your support. Former Outreach Coordinator Chris Olson shares a small epiphany, one of those wonderful moments when God's creation is revealed in a particularly powerful way. This issue also shares an article by Peter Sawtell, who gives us strength for our journey of recognizing and supporting God's creation.