Paths to Understanding's Challenge 2.0 series recently featured conversations with Native leaders during the Snake River to Salish Sea Spirit of the Waters Totem Pole Journey in a three part series.
Gov. Jay Inslee and Sen. Patty Murray have released a draft report studying the feasibility of replacing the services currently provided by the Lower Snake River dams. As people of faith, we bring a unique moral message to this conversation around the future of the Lower Snake River. We are centering the need of our neighbors, with justice for Native Nations at the forefront, by calling for solutions that will restore salmon facing extinction AND bring everyone forward together. The new draft report shows us the way forward.
Earth Ministry/WAIPL and local faith leaders Rabbi Seth Goldstein and The Rev. John Rosenberg were quoted in this press release about the release of Sen. Patty Murray and Gov. Jay Inslee's report on replacing services provided by the four lower Snake River dams.
The Washington State Department of Ecology is banning toxic PFAS chemicals in more types of food packaging, thanks in part to input from the Earth Ministry/WAIPL community! The report bans PFAS in flat serviceware, open-top containers, closed containers, bags and sleeves, and bowls used for carry-out/take-out food starting in 2024.
The focus of the Spirit of the Waters Totem Pole Journey was to uplift the Indigenous-led movement to honor the spirit of a free-flowing Lower Snake River and restore the health of salmon and orca. Witnessing these events was a beautiful experience in which we heard Native speakers share passionately about their connection to the land, water, air, and of course the salmon.
"The Multi-faith Network for Climate Justice is a group of Bellingham residents from faith and wisdom communities that gather monthly to discuss climate change and justice. Gross said the group fills participants’ unmet craving to explore the intersection between their faith and human-caused climate change, which is bringing more frequent, severe extreme weather and disrupting ecosystems around the world. 'People came because their own faiths weren’t talking about it, and they wanted to,' Gross said."
The faith community has been asked to show up in solidarity with Lummi tribal members, the House of Tears Carvers, intertribal nonprofit Se’Si’Le, and Native communities across the Pacific Northwest to support a Totem Pole Journey uplifting the Indigenous-led movement to remove the Lower Snake River dams and restore the health of salmon and orcas.
Washington celebrated an exciting win this Earth Day when the Washington Building Codes Council passed groundbreaking building codes for new commercial and large multi-family buildings! Starting July 2023, new commercial and multi-family residential buildings will be required to be built with high-efficiency electric heat pumps for water and space heating.
In 2021 Earth Ministry/WAIPL continued to journey toward our shared vision of a just and sustainable future in which people of all spiritual traditions fully embrace their faith’s call to environmental stewardship. Here’s a recap of all we accomplished together last year and an overview of our financial position
Earth Ministry/WAIPL is proud to partner with Sphere Solar Energy to help more congregations and households make the switch to clean solar energy!
On Saturday, April 2, people gathered in Olympia to show their support for a comprehensive solution to breaching the Lower Snake River dams that will restore salmon populations and invest in communities along the river. We were honored to hear Rabbi Seth Goldstein of Temple Beth Hatfiloh speak about the sacred work that is salmon recovery and how it aligns with the Shmita year.
The Earthkeepers Podcast recently interviewed three members of the Multifaith Network for Climate Justice (MNCJ), Earth Ministry/WAIPL's affiliate in Bellingham: Deb Cruz from the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, Steve Hansen, a Buddhist from the Insight Meditation Society, and Andrea Shupack from Congregation Beth Israel.
Hello and welcome to the first issue newsletter by the Shmita Project Northwest! Whether you have partnered with us from the start of the Shmita year or are connected with members of our community through various connections and events, welcome! Shmita Project Northwest is a collaboration of communities, rooted both within and outside of the Jewish faith, working to bring Shmita values to life in the our region.
Join Earth Ministry/WAIPL on May 10, 7-9pm PT, for a fun night of trivia, celebration, and a chance to support our sacred environmental justice work. All funds raised at the event will directly support Earth Ministry/WAIPL's work to create a just and sustainable future.
Earth Ministry/WAIPL is thrilled to share that our new Executive Director is Rev. AC Churchill (they/them). AC shares our values of putting faith into action for justice and liberation throughout the world and is uniquely qualified to lead us into the future. We can't wait to welcome them in May!
