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Where the Creator and creation pray, play, and wonder together
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Beatrice the Bumblebee wants you to know there is still time to register for the 3rd Annual Creation Justice Zoom Gathering Series
We had a great discussion about the 2023 Farm Bill in January. Sarah Goldman from the Land Stewardship Project gave us an insight into their work with farmers and legislators around what the bill contains, and how we, in our faith communities, can help support our farmers and sustainable farming practices.
And, we have two more great topics for February and March. Don’t delay, register today!
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February 9, 7:00-8:00 pm CST
Register to receive the zoom link: http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=xj4cltcab&oeidk=a07ejjl22srda3647f6
Microplastics in the Great Lakes is an emerging water quality issue that has a huge potential of impacting human health and the aquatic environment. It has been estimated that microplastics are consumed by the US population at a rate of 5 grams per week; this is the weight of a credit card. Microplastics are found in our food, water, air, and even beer along the Great Lakes. Fish are ingesting microplastic that cause them to starve and allow microplastics to move up the food chain. Humans are ingesting plastics made from endocrine disruptor chemicals. Over 22 million pounds of plastic enter the Great Lakes every year and Lake Michigan is the #1 source. The local, state, and federal agencies and the International Joint Commission are not currently engaged in the microplastic water quality impacts. Microplastics is an emerging water quality problem in the Great Lakes and affects our quality of life.
Presenter Art Hirsch is a former environmental consultant with over 30 years of experience. He lives in Boulder, Colorado, and spends his summers in Pentwater Michigan. He is originally from Michigan where he received his Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University and a Master of Science degree from the University of Colorado. His expertise is in the areas of water quality, storm water management, sustainability, climate change, and environmental impact assessments. He has been an activist with the Climate Reality Project for over 3 years and became a West Michigan Chapter Leader in 2021. He is currently working on the Enbridge Line 5 Shutdown, GHG reductions associated with transportation, oil and gas operations in Colorado, and microplastics pollution in the Great Lakes.
Host Jane Dow, co-chair of Mankato Zero Waste and member of Beyond Plastics Mankato Area and Sierra Club Coalition to Reduce Plastic, has taken courses from Bennington College on plastic pollution and is working to implement legislation to reduce single use plastic on a local and state level.
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March 9, 7:00-8:00 pm CST
Register to receive the zoom link: http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=xj4cltcab&oeidk=a07ejjl22ud27a9899b
Mining pollutants have been on the forefront of Minnesota’s environmental conversations for many years. The effects on our water, habitats, and health are well documented. However, the push for copper-nickel is an urgent concern, especially from the PolyMet mine.
Water Legacy organization is working diligently on the front lines and in the courts to stop these mining practices that will increase toxic runoff into rivers and streams, which flow into tribal lands, farm lands, lakes, and the entirety of the Minnesota watershed.
Advocacy Director and Counsel Paula Maccabee, is an attorney who has worked with non-profits to protect Minnesota’s water resource and the many lives that rely on clean water and healthy soil. She has been diligently working to reverse permits granted to PolyMet Mining and hold them accountable for their mining practices.
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Registration is Now Open for 2023 Outdoor Youth Ministry Events
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Spring Conference Youth Event
April 28-30 | Camp Onomia, Onamia
Ages: 6th-12th grade
Cost: $125/Youth, $100/Adult Leader
Deep listening is one of the most essential and ancient practices within our Christian tradition and other spiritual traditions. This practice is also essential to our individual and collective development, health, and well-being. Join youth and adults from around the Minnesota Conference for a weekend learning and practicing deep listening in its many forms: within ourselves and our bodies, within the wonder of nature, and within spaces of relationship and community.
Lori Alford, a licensed marriage and family therapist and long-time faith formation leader in the Minnesota Conference UCC, will help lead our weekend together. Lori will guide youth through activities and experiences that help youth listen to their bodies, practice stillness and quiet, open up “heart spaces” for connection, and to tap into their innate capacity to know, love, and connect.
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CYE Summer Camp
July 5-7 | Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center, Sandstone
Ages: Youth entering 6th grade through 8th grade.
Cost: $200/Youth, $150/Adult Leader
Register Here
Swim, canoe, hike, and meet some birds of prey. Let’s explore the connection of eco-justice and faith while connecting with new friends and eating some great food!
Take a journey into the wild spaces in our mind, heart, and soul as we learn about the Sacredness of land, water, and air. Through our discussions and activities, youth and adults will learn how connected we are to the natural world and how we are being asked to be in community with that natural world.
Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center staff will assist us on our journey throughout our time together, through times of play and discussion.
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Fall Conference Youth Event
October 6-8 |Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center
Ages: 6th –12th Grade
Cost: $125/Youth, $100/Adult Leader
Registration Opening Soon
So often we have people in our lives who ask, “What do you plan to do?”, as if we must have a perfect answer. Through this time together, youth and adults will practice shifting our language that is more about curiosity and wonder rather than having the “right” answers. Through playful discussions, activities, and music, we will reimagine our “wild and precious life” that speaks to who we are, what we value, and how our faith can guide us in the world.
Musician and Faith Leader, Hans Peterson, will help shape the weekend and offer space to wonder together.
Born and raised in Alaska, Hans Peterson moved to the Midwest to attend Luther College. He spent the past 25 years recording, playing guitar and piano and getting people singing with Dakota Road Music, a grassroots performance/publishing company. Hans currently serves as pastor at River of Hope Lutheran Church in Hutchinson.
Look forward to these events opening soon!
- August 4-6 | Family Camp Sponsored by the MN Conference (intergenerational)
- September 8-10 | Women’s Retreat (adults 19+)
- September 22-24 | Women’s Wilderness Retreat (adults 19+)
- September 29-October 1 | Queer Walk Retreat (adults 19+)
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An Opportunity to Participate in the Film Screening of "Oyate"
Saturday, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. at Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis
Sunday, Feb. 19 at 2 p.m. at Nativity Lutheran Church in St. Anthony.
This is a free event.
OYATE elevates the voices of Indigenous activists, organizers, and politicians as they offer their perspective on that complicated history, contextualize the #NoDAPL movement, illuminate the interconnectivity between the issues facing Indian Country today, and look towards a more sovereign and sustainable future for their people.
Featuring perspectives from Chase Iron Eyes, Phyllis Young, Secretary Deb Haaland, Tokata Iron Eyes, Stuart James and more.
Sponsored by the Center for Sustainable Justice at Lyndale UCC in partnership with: Intermill Land History Consulting | Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light | The Unitarian Universalist Association | Westminster Presbyterian Church | Minnesota Council of Churches | First Christian Church (DOC) | First Congregational of Minnesota | First Nations Kitchen | St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church | Plymouth Congregational | Calvary Lutheran Church | The Creation Justice Team of the Minnesota Conference of the UCC | Spirit of St. Stephen’s Catholic Community | Leadership Center for Social Justice at United Theological Seminary | Nativity Lutheran Church"
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Resources
Book: "Saving Us" by Katherine Hayhoe
Free Resource from Rev. Micahel Mulberry (UCC): Ash Wednesday to Earth Day Source Book available HERE.
Hi Folks,
I put together a more extensive Source Book for Ash Wednesday to Earth Day. One of the most prolific parts of it are three actions:
1) Ash Wednesday Action (February 22) where we call a fast from credit cards held by the four major banks funding fossil fuels/climate disaster. I have all the links to the materials Stop the Money Pipeline uses for talking to branch managers. There is a Jewish synagogue in Florida that has spoken to about 13 bank managers! Sarah Lasoff has just been outstanding with the things she has offered. She provides material for you to receive training and even be trainers yourself. We ask people to fast from these credit cards until Tuesday, March 21st, hoping the bank managers will choose transformation.
2) Dis-credit Bad Banks Day of Action put forward by Third Act Day on March 21st. Again, an invitation to talk to bank managers seeking transformation. We model persistence and relationships.
3) Finally, with the possibility of no action, there is a Foot-Washing Liturgy and Jericho Walk that can be done on Maundy Thursday (April 6th) or on Earth Day, (April 22nd).
Within the pages are also creation centered Lectio Divina and examen and creation music playlists. I also included within the folder creation-centered baptism and communion liturgy.
It is an attempt to get something going and collaborate with others in advocacy, action, and spiritual practice. I'm sure there are tons of mistakes as this always goes much slower than I'd hoped but I hope it is something you can use so we can work deeper together. Please let me know if you do use it.
Grace and peace,
Mike ([email protected] )
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