What is a Colleague?
Earth Ministry/WAIPL’s programs are powered by the strength and vibrancy of our community – the many individuals and congregations committed to our shared mission. Typically one or two people in every faith community lead the move toward environmental stewardship and advocacy on behalf of their whole congregation. Earth Ministry/WAIPL calls these committed leaders Colleagues. If you are the one who brings an environmental sensibility to your faith community and want to be part of a larger group that shares your values, you are a Colleague.
What is a Colleague Connection?
Earth Ministry/WAIPL is working to grow our community support by identifying and connecting Colleagues throughout the state. It is not uncommon for Colleagues to feel alone in their deep-seeded call to stewardship. That’s why you have Earth Ministry/WAIPL to help support you with our Colleague Connections program that offers space for you to share projects, ask questions, and be in community. Earth Ministry/WAIPL hosts a monthly Zoom call for Colleagues, manages a Google Group listserve for easy communication in between those meetings, and organizes resources from colleagues in a Google drive folder. We encourage Colleagues to take their learnings back to their Green Team and congregation, spreading inspiration and tools to enact meaningful greening activities.
Join Earth Ministry/WAIPL’s Colleague Connections!
Colleagues step into this space from a variety of different entry points. Some participants are just starting out with forming a Green Team, others have been active within their community for years, and many fall in-between. We value collaboration and know that the faith-based environmental justice movement is strongest when all people can bring their unique strengths and diverse experiences to the table.
Most importantly, Colleague Connections are life-giving. It is not just another meeting on your full calendar, rather it’s support for the good work you are already doing and a reminder that you are not alone on the journey.
We invite you or another representative from your Green Team to join Earth Ministry/WAIPL’s Colleague Connections on the first Thursday of every month from 5:30-6:30pm Pacific. If you have questions or want to join, simply email keah@earthministry.org.