by Elizabeth Freese, Austin Texas Winner of the Franciscan Philanthropist Award Text: Psalm 118 and Palm Sunday Gospel Compares the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly to today's economic and social changes and the certainty and hope of God's Kindom coming through Jesus' death and resurrection.
This issue of Earth Letter focuses on children and nature.There was a time in America’s past when most children played outside. There were nearby fields, streams, and forests to be explored. There were birds and wild animals to be seen, "forts" to be built, adventures to be had! Now with increasing urbanization and mushrooming of crowded suburbs, children’s exposure to natural habitats is much more limited. There are also increasing distractions from playing outside – television, electronic games, mountains of toys, structured children’s activity groups and daycare centers. In addition we seem to be building more crowded subdivisions, with small lots, few trees, and no open spaces. This leads to what Richard Louv has called "nature deficit disorder" – a lack of un-programmed exposure to a fuller spectrum of God’s Creation (see his article on page one.)
Birth of John the Baptist by Paul A Magnano Pastor, St. Therese Parish, Seattle I want to focus my homily on John the Baptist and on baptism. First, John the Baptist. The prophecy of his father is particularly pertinent: "You,…
The financial problems begun on Wall Street have now impacted the world economy, from the Fortune 500 giants to small non-profits. Earth Ministry is one of those non-profits. This issue of Earth Letter presents several perspectives on our situation. Beyond Earth Ministry related articles, Desmond Tutu and James Leape present the current state of action to address global climate change, and the Union of Concerned Scientists discuss the economic and environmental impacts of factory farms. In our final article Bill McKibben comments on former Earth Ministry staff member Mike Schut’s latest book. All of these articles help focus our individual efforts as we each seek to build a just and sustainable future in these trying times.
By Jenny Phillips and Chloe Schwabe
Mindful Living: Human Health, Pollution, and Toxics
July 08, 2009
They weren’t the results Rev. Jim Antal expected when he participated in the Is It In Us study, which tested the levels of dangerous toxics in the blood of typical north Americans. The fifty-eight year old minister and president of the United Church of Christ, Massachusetts Conference, is a vegetarian and an avid cyclist. He learned that he has been exposed to a variety of toxic chemicals, including phthalates, brominated flame retardants, and Bisphenol-A.
By Nick Mackenzie
Religious Intelligence
May 22, 2009
Members of the faith community in the USA are stepping up and speaking out today at an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) public hearing to determine if greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide that contribute to global climate change, are a threat to public health and welfare.
By Gary Chittim
King 5 News
May 21, 2009
SEATTLE - With a large waterfront rally providing a colorful and supportive backdrop, the state of Washington and a congressional committee took big steps today on the climate change front.
Gov. Christine Gregoire signed an executive order today she says prepares the state for new laws she expects to emerge soon from Congress.
By Michelle Esteban
KOMO News
May 21, 2009
SEATTLE - It's not every day that the Environmental Protection Agency comes to town and asks people about climate change and what should be done about it. But it happened Thursday in Seattle - one of only two hearings held nationwide on greenhouse gases, global warming and pollution.
By Jonathan Hiskes
Grist
May 21, 2009
Climate organizer K.C. Golden stood with his back to a sparkling Elliot Bay in Seattle today, hushed the elementary-school students crowding a stage with him, and pointed to the glass wall of the convention center next door.
By Jessie Dye
Seattle Times
May 06, 2009
WHY are so many faith leaders from all around the world weighing in on climate change?
Not a Catholic feast day goes by that Pope Benedict does not call for the faithful to reduce overconsumption and protect Earth's poorest people from drought and despair.
Sacred Heart Radio
April 16, 2009
Jessie Dye, Program and Outreach Director at Earth Ministry, was interviewed by Father Bob Camuso on Sacred Heart Radio during April. Jessie discussed "Why do Catholics care about the environment?"
This issue of Earth Letter has a focus on environmental responsibility, especially in our own backyard with articles from Earth Ministry's Chris Olson reviewing Rev. Nancy Roth's book, Organic Prayer: A Spiritual Gardening Companion, Earth Ministry's Beth Anderson on Pesticide Free Zones, and Marie Iannotti on Organic Gardening. On a totally different note Auden Schendler tells his engaging story of meaningfully addressing climate change – at, of all places, a world famous ski resort. He’s become an expert on addressing this central issue of our time. Those of us who care about God’s Earth need to take heed.
By Dan Ritzman and LeeAnne Beres
The Seattle Times
April 09, 2009
In the fight against global warming, all eyes are currently on Gov. Chris Gregoire and the proposed deal with TransAlta, the multinational corporation that operates the Centralia coal-fired power plant. We applaud Gov. Gregoire's leadership on curbing climate change, pushing for a strong renewable energy standard and putting a cap on carbon emissions.
By Sara Cate
Yakima Herald
March 11, 2009
To the editor -- I believe the Feb. 15 editorial, "It's best to leave this to the feds," really missed the mark. It is precisely because of our state's uniquely clean electricity from hydropower that we must lead the way on cap and trade, to make sure our interests at the national level are protected and Washington's innovation is properly rewarded.
By The Rt. Rev. Greg Rickel and The Rt. Rev. James E. Waggoner Jr.
The Spokesman-Review
March 07, 2009
As Episcopal bishops in Washington state and as faithful stewards of God’s creation, we understand the devastating impacts that global climate change will have and is already having on human communities around the world.
