Creation Care Network E-news
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A special note to members of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts: I am thrilled by the vote that was taken last weekend at our Diocesan Convention to pass the resolution,
“Creation Care in Our Congregations: Living Lightly on God’s Good Earth.”
This is an important step forward as followers of Jesus Christ take hold of our call to protect the web of life that God entrusted to our care.
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As I said in my remarks before the vote, taking action on climate change is part of our spiritual conversion from an old way of life to something new. Using St. Paul’s rhetoric of conversion, which Bishop Doug Fisher spoke about in his marvelous
convention address
, I wondered aloud if we might be ready to proclaim:
“Once I took nature for granted as something to ignore or exploit, BUT NOW I understand that I must live more gently and mindfully on the earth.”
“Once I thought that climate change was someone else’s problem, BUT NOW I see that everyone must get involved.”
“Once I thought that I could keep going with business as usual and live my life as I please, BUT NOW I understand that business as usual is wrecking the planet and that we must change course fast.”
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A glimpse of the Creation Care display at diocesan convention.
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• The resolution calls on every congregation to form a Green Team – that is, to name one or more individuals to serve as liaison with me, our diocese’s Missioner for Creation Care. If you are reading this newsletter, you are probably called to this ministry! Starting a Green Team is very simple – here’s an
article
that will tell you how. Please consider this a personal invitation to consider taking up this role – and let your parish leadership know if you can say yes. We need you!
• The resolution also calls on every congregation to conduct an energy audit, keeping in mind that grants are available from the Diocese to offset half the cost of the audit. Will you help to get that process started in your congregation? Details and resources are included in the resolution.
• The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) released a stark
report
this month on the challenge we face as a species to avert climate catastrophe. As I said in my sermon that weekend at First Parish in Lincoln (UCC),
“Ten years to avert climate catastrophe? What do we do now?”
, it is tempting to respond with apathy, despair, and the hopeless shrug, “It's too late.” But as
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people of faith we know the power of community. We know the power of visceral, expressive prayer. We know the power of silence and contemplative prayer. We know the power of nature to restore our souls. And we know, as Jesus knew, that God’s power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.
Did you experience the Revival in Pittsfield and/or in Worcester? Wasn’t it wonderful? If you would like to be inspired afresh or if you wonder what’s next, do check out the
website and video
!
• The midterm elections are only days away. Many of us are engaged in political discussions with friends and families, colleagues and congregations. What is the best way to approach discussions about voting and climate change? How can we open up this conversation and explain why we’re voting for climate solutions candidates? Take a look at EcoAmerica’s talking points for October, “
Talking About Voting and Climate Change
.” And please vote on November 6 for the candidates that in your view have the strongest, clearest position on how to address climate change.
• In the aftermath of September’s natural gas pipeline explosions in the Merrimack Valley, please
sign a 350 Mass. for a Better Future letter to Governor Baker
, asking for a moratorium on new gas projects until a thorough investigation of what caused the tragedy has been completed and until an investigation of the vulnerabilities in our Commonwealth’s aging gas infrastructure has been carried out.
• Thank you for your prayers, care, and action on behalf of your brother and sister beings, some of whom are human!
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Blessings,
(The Rev. Dr.) Margaret Bullitt-Jonas
Missioner for Creation Care
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Opportunities for engagement
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Massachusetts Interfaith Power & Light
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Sustainable House of Worship (SHOW) Workshop
Amherst, MA. November 3, 2018. Come learn how your House of Worship can lower energy costs and reduce its carbon footprint. Sponsored by the Massachusetts Conference of the U.C.C.
Read more
events.r20.constantcontact.com
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Our Missioner for Creation Care quoted in ECN
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ECN quote of the week: The Rev. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas
The Rev. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas, an Episcopal priest, serves as Missioner for Creation Care in both the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ. From her October 31, 2016, sermon...
Read more
episcopalclimatenews.com
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Creation Justice Ministries
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CREATION JUSTICE MINISTRIES
Creation Justice Ministries (formerly the National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Program) represents the creation care and environmental justice policies of major Christian denominations throughout the United States. We work in cooperation with...
Read more
www.creationjustice.org
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Truth School
The Sojourner Truth School for Social Change Leadership offers classes to individuals and groups with the goal of promoting and facilitating the skills required to build a movement. The School teaches the organizing skills necessary to equip people..
Read more
truthschool.org
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If you've enjoyed this newsletter, please feel free to forward to one or two friends you think may be interested.
Blessings!
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MBJ photo credit: Tipper Gore, 2014
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