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Saint James Cathedral
Social Outreach
& Advocacy
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Welcome to this Earth Day edition of the St. James Social Outreach and Advocacy Newsletter!
Today, April 22, 2020, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.
Denis Hayes, found
er of Earth Day and current resident of Seattle, said that,
"I wanted to devote my life to advancing principles of ecology as they apply to human beings and to human communities, to human processes."
As we continue mark 50 years of Earth Day, let each of us ask ourselves how we devote our own lives to advancing principles of ecology for the sake of our sisters and brothers, and the sake of this planet which we all claim as our common home.
I hope that the following events provide compelling options so you may show mercy by caring for Creation.
peace,
Patrick Barredo, director of social outreach and advocacy
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Earth Day 2020:
A Multifaith Perspective
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50 years ago, the first Earth Day became the largest demonstration in United States history. Now, Earth Day is the largest secular observance in the world - over one billion people will participate in celebration and action for Earth today!
For those of us in the faith community, Earth Day has gone beyond its secular roots to become a truly multifaith event. All major faith traditions have a statement on caring for creation. Today and every day, spiritual communities across the globe are bringing those statements to life.
View a video message from Fr. Ryan, Earth Ministry and our partners!
(Fr. Ryan's segment begins at the 9 minute mark.)
In addition to being the 50th anniversary, this year's Earth Day is a milestone given its context. We are taking time to celebrate and act within a backdrop of a global health crisis. While mindful not to minimize the severity of COVID-19, we are becoming more aware of the many parallels it shares with the climate crisis. We are experiencing a new level of solidarity as we face this unifying challenge, which will be important to carry forward.
Since we cannot gather in person, St. James Cathedral has partnered with Earth Ministry/WAIPL and other faith leaders from local Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and Unitarian Universalist communities to gather our messages of faith in action this Earth Day.
The poor and the earth are crying out. O Lord, seize us with your power and light, help us to protect all life, to prepare for a better future, for the coming of your Kingdom of justice, peace, love and beauty. Praise be to you! Amen.
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Pope Francis, from
Laudato Si'
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St. James Cathedral's commitment to caring for Creation
Over the past year, the St. James Care for Creation committee has been developing a sacred covenant to enhance the Cathedral's commitment to our role as stewards of Creation. In partnership with Earth Day Northwest 2020, the committee, working with Fr. Ryan, seeks to take action towards sustainability by bringing about 5 achievable goals for the sake of our common home.
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Now, more than ever, we as a local and global community need to come together and to be the change we wish to see. For the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, 50 influential voices have been asked to share their visions for positive change in the world over the next 5 years.
Share your your vision of positive change in the next 5 years using the hashtag
#
voicescarry2020
And go to the Earth Day Northwest 2020 website to see how voices carry!
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Catholic Climate Covenant
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This year marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and the 5th anniversary of Laudato Si'. Even though all of us are following the stay-at-home order, our need to care for creation continues. Consider a resource from the Catholic Climate Covenant that you and your family might want to use.
This is a free, downloadable one-hour program. This is an ideal resource, both to connect with each other and to share around care for creation.
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Earth Day Gatherings
Wednesday, April 22
Coffee Hour: 9:30-10:30am PST
Happy Hour: 5:30-6:30pm PST
Since we can't gather in person as we normally would, Earth Ministry invites you and others in the faith community to come together for a Zoom coffee hour or afternoon happy hour. Join virtually for a casual conversation to check in, share what's happening with your congregation, and reflect on how we can carry the message of Earth Day moving forward. Staff will also briefly share about the release of our new action toolkit. BYOB and see you online!
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Earth Talks at Seattle University
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Earth Day, April 22, 2020
11:00AM-12:00PM (session 1) and 2:00PM-3:15PM (session 2)
Join us for Seattle U's virtual Earth Day event: EARTH TALKS
. Students, faculty, and community partners will present short 5-min talks about environmental justice and sustainability research, service and activism.
The event will kick-off with a special interview with Denis Hayes who organized the first Earth Day in 1970
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Catholic-Buddhist Dialogue: Solidarity and Engagement on Climate Change
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April 23, 2020 7:00am-8:30am PDT
Join four prominent Catholic and Buddhist scholars as they explore what it means to be Catholic and Buddhist
in a special webinar observance of Earth Day's 50th anniversary.
What aspects of these traditions contribute to factors that imperil life on the planet?
Just as important, how might these traditions enable us to realize our highest human potential, the deep expression of compassion and love for each other, especially the most vulnerable among us - human and non-human - who bear the brunt of the suffering?
Sponsored by the Parliament of World Religions, Catholic Climate Covenant, the Catholic Association of Diocesan Ecumenical and Interreligious Officers (CADEIO), the Earth Day Network, and the Society for Buddhist-Christian Studies (SBCS).
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