The June 5th 2012 theme for World Environment Day is Green Economy: Does it include you? Brazil a country with one of the fastest growing economies in the world, is hosting World Environment Day 2012 (WED).

The first part of this theme tackles the subject of the Green Economy.   According to the UN Environment Programme, the Green Economy is one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. In its simplest expression, a green economy can be thought of as one which is low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive.

Practically speaking, a Green Economy is one whose growth in income and employment is driven by public and private investments that reduce carbon emissions and pollution, enhance energy and resource efficiency, and prevent the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. These investments need to be catalyzed and supported by targeted public expenditure, policy reforms and regulation changes.  

But what does this mean for you?

The second part of the theme is all about each of us. If the Green Economy is about social equity and inclusiveness then technically it is all about you! The question therefore asks you to find out more about the Green Economy and assess whether, here in the U.S., you are being included in it.

To learn more about the Green Economy visit the World Environment Day website http://www.unep.org/wed/theme/

 Have you ever rested under an ancient tree and felt your spirit renewed? Or walked in the woods or in your backyard and wished you knew more names of the plants growing there? Have you ever wondered what is truly native in our bioregion?

Sign up for "Discovering a Sense of Place" and take off on a journey toward restoring your connection to the place we live - the Ohio River Valley Bioregion. Understanding our place in the universe transforms us!

The next session, on Sunday June 17th, is called "Our Plants and Trees: What's Native to Our Place." All registrants are invited to a simple pre-session lunch, from 12 to 12:30pm (Small donations welcome. Please call and let us know you are coming!)

Promptly at 12:30pm we will carpool to Bernheim Forest to learn in one of the area's most lovely woods where we will begin with a prayer ritual. After that adults will enjoy a walk in the woods with Bernheim's Education Director, Claude Stephens. Participating children aged 9-14 will learn from our youth coordinator, Jimena Bertschi.

At 3:30pm we will gather again for a sharing about the day and a closing ritual before our return drive to Louisville.

The Full Subscription (which can begin in any month and runs for a year) of $240 entitles adults, aged 15 and older, to attend any or all of the twelve sessions of "Discovering a Sense of Place." The Full Subscription for 9 - 14 year old children who are accompanying an adult is $140. The Full Subscription for families of four or more is $600. Registration for individual sessions is $45 per session for adults, and $25 for 9-14 year olds. This program is not suitable for younger children. Payment in installments can be arranged. Partial scholarships may be available by contacting [email protected]  PLEASE REGISTER by June 13th.

Meet Our Speaker on " Our Plants and Trees: What's Native to Our Place "

Claude Stephens, Education Director at Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, has more than 27 years of experience in informal education. Claude served as the Director of Education at both the Tallahassee Museum of History and Natural Science in Tallahassee, Florida and the Hermann-Grima and Gallier Historic Properties in New Orleans, Louisiana before taking his current position at Bernheim.

Claude's academic background is in biology and evolutionary ecology from Centre College and the University of Virginia. He has developed and implemented numerous programs, exhibits and informal educational services that span natural history topics, nature based design, sustainability and building creative communities.

In addition to his professional work Claude is a father, urban homesteader, storyteller, tree house builder, gardener and supporter of organizations and actions that encourage wise environmental and community design concepts. He has served on numerous boards and governing bodies for environmental and arts organizations and has been committed to sustainable design projects for more than 25 years. He currently serves on the boards of the Food Literacy Project, the Urban

Design Studio, and Pecha Kucha Louisville. Claude is a partner in the private sustainability consulting company of Generation14.

Meet our Youth Coordinator

Jimena Bertschi has a certificate in Environmental Education in informal setttings. She has worked extensively with young people through environmental 4-H camps, Youth Build Louisville and the Louisville Science Center. She loves to help kids discover nature, sustainability and the beauty of creation. The 9-14 year old particpants of "Discovering a Sesne of Place" will learn what's native to our place by sharing the adventure with Jimena.

Download a Brochure 

Discovering a Sense of Place is a 12-session course designed to help adults and children restore a connection with the place where they live -- the Ohio River Valley Bioregion. Through inspiring lectures and experiential learning events, participants gain a new appreciation for their local place and recover a sense of belonging.

Watch our camp video!

• Who: grade school children who have completed kindergarten to 6th grade.
• What: Camp Odyssey is an interactive program of fun and learning. It will connect children to nature, gardening, science and sustainability, food justice, responsible eating, hiking, music & movement, yoga and the arts..
• When: June 18-22, 2012 or June 25-June 29 from 9:00-12:00 or extended day 9-4 p.m.
• Where: Earth & Spirit Center
• Cost: $180.00 per child. (or 9-12: $90} Some scholarships available; inquire by emailing [email protected]. Limited space.
• For more information: contact Beth Zangari at the Earth and Spirit Center 502.452.2749 - weekdays between 10:00-2:00 OR email [email protected].

 Camp Brochure 

The New Cosmology & the Universe Story

The recent discovery of the birth and evolution of the universe represents a dramatic change in human self-understanding. We humans are just waking up and beginning to consider what it means to be part of a universe that is alive. In down-to-earth terms, this workshop will examine the shift that is taking place in our understanding of the world, the opportunities it presents to the human community, and the implication it has for people of faith. How do we develop a new intimacy with the world in which we live? Can we once again get caught up in the grandeur of existence and mysterious Divine power from which all this has emerged?

Monday through Friday, July 9-13, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  $75 fee.

For More Information 

 

Become Engaged in the Great Work of Our Time

How can we find our way into a viable and hopeful future?

Many people now recognize that caring for the Earth is of vital importance for ourselves and our children. This workshop will explore how we can make a transition from a period of hu�man devastation of the Earth to a period when humans would celebrate the sacredness of all creation. It is a transformative educational experience that empowers participants to respond to humanity's current situation with action and informed, grounded optimism about our future.

Monday through Friday, July 16-20, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. $75 fee.

For More Information  

 

If you are a teacher in the archdiocese, cathechist credits are given for these classes. 

Invite the young people in your life to delve into discovering the Spirit within! Invite them into the process of seeing their experiences more clearly, to participating in life with less fear and clinging, to increasing balance and self-acceptance, and to experiencing greater freedom and compassion.

 

This class is designed especially for youth and young adults (ages 18-25) who want to learn the basic skills and method of meditation. It will draw upon the research of modern psychology and the guidance of great spiritual teachers.

 

This introduction will be taught by Joe Mitchell from 4 - 5:30pm the five Sundays of July (July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29). $35 suggested donation.

 

For More Information 

If you are a student of the Enneagram, or would like to be, this community may be for you. This study group meets monthly with the purpose of creating a place where individuals can delve more deeply into the rich teachings of the Enneagram and utilize this roadmap for their personal and spiritual growth.

The Enneagram is a dynamic and insightful personality system that combines ancient wisdom with contemporary psychology. It describes nine distinct and fundamentally different patterns of thinking, feeling and acting. Knowing your Enneagram type helps you understand how your type influences your view of the world, what motivates you, your coping strategy and keys to personal development.

This study group is for those who want to be challenged, enlightened, enriched and have some fun along the way. Each month we explore a different aspect of the Enneagram. The session includes lecture, discussion and sharing of personal discoveries. We are an open community and invite you to join us in our exploration. It is helpful if group members know their Ennea-type, but not required.   Facilitated by Deborra Clark Oser, a certified Teacher of the Enneagram in the Narrative Tradition.

• Meeting Date: Monday, June 11, 2012
• Time: 7:00-9:00 p.m.
• Location: The Barn behind the Passionist Monastery at 1924 Newburg Road in Louisville, KY
• This Month's Topic: Beauty in the Present Moment: Exploring the Themes of Type Four (The Romantic)
• Fee: $10 / person
• R.S.V.P. [email protected] or 502.767.1422

All committed meditation students are invited to the Monthly Saturday Silent Sitting on the first Saturday of each month from 9:30am to 12:30pm. July 7 will be our next session. Each session includes brief meditation instruc�tion and longer periods of sitting interspersed with opportunities for walking meditation, offering sup�port and ongoing teaching for meditation students from all religious traditions. Through these sessions we can deepen our individual prac�tice, strengthen a sense of community support, and help bring about world healing through personal transformation.

 

All sincere spiritual seekers are respected and welcome to participate in this monthly interfaith experience. Silent Sittings take place on the first Saturday of each month, are offered on a donation basis, and require no reservations. Chairs provided. For sitting on floor, please bring your own cushion, zafu or zabuton.  

 

For More Information 

Great place, great mission, great people.

Hours required: 9 - 12 hrs./wk., for three days per week (preferably Mon., Wed., Fri.).

We would also like to thank Susan Stopher for all her dedication and hard work to help everyone at the Earth & Spirit Center! We will miss you Susan!  

We are very excited to have our new website up and going! Hopefully, it will make it easier to see class information, register and get our news. We would also like to thank John Fitzgerald, whose talent helped to make this possible! 

Check it Out! 

"End Polluter Welfare" Act
 
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) have launched a new piece of legislation that would repeal $113 billion of tax-breaks, handouts, and subsidies for the fossil fuel industry over the next 10 years. According to 350.org website: "We'll never get to renewable energy if we keep handing gobs of money to oil and coal and gas."
 
The Sanders-Ellison bill would strip away outrageous subsidies to fossil fuel companies. Needless to say, the fossil fuel industry is going to fight back hard, so we need to express support for the "End Polluter Welfare" Act as strong as possible. Visit here for more information and to add your name to this push. (here is the link address: http://act.350.org/sign/subsidies/)    

Cleaner air for all of us?

The Environmental Protection Agency recently proposed a new rule that would limit the amount of carbon pollution new power plants could release into the atmosphere.

This proposed rule could be a game-changer in the fight for God's creation. That's why we're asking you to send the EPA a quick email of support.

Submit your comment of support to the EPA today