On December 6, 2021 the MNCJ (an affiliate of Earth Ministry/WAIPL) Leadership Team approved the signing of a letter from the Electrify Bellingham Coalition that encouraged the city council to pass polices requiring new building electrification policies. The leadership Team finds the letter to be consistent with, and supportive of, the MNCJ’s mission, vision and guiding values.
People of faith have been in a prayerful stance of solidarity supporting the Puyallup Tribe and co-litigants' appeal of PSE's immoral project. We are incredibly disappointed that the PCHB failed to make the right decision to uphold the Tribe’s request for further review of this dirty and dangerous fracked gas facility.
After four years of renewing temporary protections every six months, in November the Tacoma City Council passed long-term Non-Interim Regulations that ensure that no new fossil fuel facilities can be built on the Tideflats. Though not as strong as we wanted, it is a win that existing fossil fuel infrastructure cannot expand unless it’s part of a “Cleaner Fuels” blend, and even then expansion is limited. We look forward to continuing to engage on this issue in new ways through the Tacoma Tideflats Subarea Plan. Many thanks to the faith community and activists in Tacoma for advocating for strong protections for multiple years.
"Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut does not belong to any company. She belongs to her family, she belongs to the Salish Sea, she belongs to herself. It is our Xa xalh Xechnging (sacred obligation) to bring her home. Her spirit is strong, as is ours."
We are joining with National Interfaith Power and Light to gather signatures from people of faith around the country on a petition to President Biden, urging him to be a leader in climate crisis response at COP26. Let’s demonstrate that people of faith in the U.S. are watching the negotiations, and urging the U.S. to do its fair share at COP26.
University Congregational UCC’s Sacred Earth Matters Committee has created a traveling climate change display that you can host at your house of worship, school, or community organization. The display is often used in conjunction with an educational climate change program, and is available for use one month at a time. Its purpose is to dramatically raise awareness, educate, encourage, and motivate collective and personal action.
Dear Earth Ministry/WAIPL community, Hello! My name is Nancy Osborn Nicholas and I am the Interim Executive Director for Earth Ministry/Washington Interfaith Power & Light. I am honored to be here in the wake of LeeAnne's leadership and am excited to help guide Earth Ministry/WAIPL in this time of transition and growth. Photo credit: Martin Sojka
In the fall of 2021, The Multifaith Network for Climate Justice (MNCJ), an Earth Ministry/WAIPL affiliate, initiated a community Net of Interconnection project. The inspiration for this project is rooted in the mythic story of Indra’s Net. MNCJ’s Net of Interconnection was created with the intention that it would “travel” throughout Whatcom County faith and wisdom communities as well as houses of worship to display, and additions to the Net would be made along the way.
Click to watch a video of highlights of the NW Tribes' Salmon & Orca Summit on July 6-7, 2021, put together by the Nez Perce Tribe (Nimiipuu).
Dear Earth Ministry/WAIPL community, Well friends, here it is: the last message from LeeAnne at Earth Ministry. Today is my final day as Executive Director, and I wanted to wish you a fond farewell.
On August 25, the Tacoma City Council IPS Committee is holding a meeting for government-to-government feedback from the Puyallup Tribe on the non-interim regulations process. In the lead up to the meeting, Earth Ministry/WAIPL is asking people of faith to send a message to the IPS Committee asking them to listen to the Puyallup Tribe and incorporate their requests. Photo credit: Tender Young Pony of Insomnia
Clean water is a matter of stewardship and justice. The Earth Ministry/WAIPL community has been raising this moral message within Washington State's process to set limits for toxic PFAS chemicals in drinking water. Now, the Department of Health is finalizing their PFAS drinking water standard, and your action is needed for the final rule to set a high bar. Photo credit: Erich Ferdinand
LeeAnne has been an outstanding Executive Director over the last 16 years. Her visionary leadership brought faithful advocacy into Earth Ministry’s mission, and she now leaves us well on our way to living out our 2020-2025 strategic plan. LeeAnne has poured her heart into this organization. Before she departs, let’s celebrate her with a heartfelt send-off!
While we know that any response to the horrible news of unmarked mass graves at Residential Schools in Canada is inadequate, we also know that our lament must lead to action. We recognize that, though these atrocities are making headlines and receiving the attention of the world now, tribal communities have been testifying for years to the truth of forced removal, assimilation, abuse, and death perpetrated through boarding schools.
On August 8, 2021, the 51th anniversary of the forcible taking of Salish Sea orca relations from Penn Cove, Washington, ATNI President Leonard Forsman, Tsleil-Waututh Nation Councillor Charlene Aleck, and other guests joined Lummi matriarchs at the “Netse Mot for Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut” virtual event and called for the return of the last surviving stolen orca.
