From Pennsylvania Interfaith Power and Light (http://www.paipl.org):
The end of August is a time of transition, even for those no longer connected to an academic calendar. Friends with access to farmers markets (or green thumbs and good soil) are enjoying sweet corn, tomatoes, and basil, and fending off extra zucchinis. On good days, we may have peach juice dripping from our chins and elbows, but, as Labor Day approaches, we’re also looking ahead to the more structured schedules that show up as daylight and night hours begin their re-balance. With this newsletter, we bring you three things for a mix of challenge, inspiration, and hope-in-community:
You’ll find a piece of reflection, commitment, and invitation from Board Secretary Barbara Ballenger, specific to the tender and important moment we find ourselves in right now.
You’ll find a toolkit with guidance, links, and prayers to prepare for using your voice in much-needed public witness, supporting the currently-threatened environmental safeguard policies that provide the guardrails and referees that limit the harm we may do to our Common Home, and our most vulnerable neighbors.
And you’ll find links to three big upcoming events, in 3 different regions of Pennsylvania. We’re especially excited about the project leading up to the annual statewide conference — we hope you’ll participate whether or not you can make the trip yourself.
As always: we invite you to share your stories and photos, successes, challenges, and dreams with us. Together we keep weaving this network of active hope.
Where to look when you can’t un-see
The recent march of white nationalists and KKK members upon the city of Charlottesville, and the accompanying terrorist attack upon counter demonstrators, has again placed racism in the public eye.
At the moment, there are some things we cannot un-see: a car driving directly into Black Lives Matter members, killing one and injuring 19. White nationalists armed more heavily than the police. Young polo-shirted men marching with swastikas and shields.
The racism that undergirds our national infrastructure, and the bigotry that keeps it in place, is not a simple thing to dismantle. Just removing the monuments that celebrate its architects and defenders brings out the torches.
But while our eyes are open, it is important that white people engaged in justice work take a hard look at the racist infrastructure itself, not just its staunchest defenders. [continue reading]
Toolkit for town halls (includes prayers to use in preparation)
We are excited to introduce you to a new member of the PA IPL family: Chelsea Jackson. Chelsea is with us for a short three months (August, September, and October) to help make sure our elected officials hear loudly and clearly from communities and people of faith at congressional Town Halls about the importance of policies htat protect public health.
We want our Senators and Representatives to know that protecting communities from the assaults on public health that would result from dismantling environmental safeguards —including the critical “referees and guardrails” safeguards provided by the Environmental Protection Agency— is a moral imperative. Chelsea is working with us as a Project Coordinator to provide messaging guidance and logistical support Chelsea is well suited to her new role: she spent the past four years serving as an assistant pastor in a United Methodist Church, dedicated to service, social activism, and environmental justice.
With Chelsea’s help and commitment, PA IPL has created a Town Hall Toolkit. In addition, keep an eye out for emails from Chelsea that share important information about Town Halls in your neighborhood. Or: don’t wait! Chelsea welcomes your questions and ideas, so feel free to reach out to her.
Mark your calendars and spread the word!
Interfaith Moral Climate Advocacy Workshop—Bryn Mawr
Saturday, October 14th 9:00-4:30
learn more and register
Interfaith Moral Climate Advocacy Workshop—Pittsburgh
Sunday, October 15th 1:00-7:30
learn more and register
2017 Annual Statewide Conference
Gratitude, Lament & Renewal:
Walking Faithfully in a Time of Climate Disruption
Sunday, October 29th, 1:30-5:30
save the date and start now on a project to be part of the conference (whether or not you can make the trip yourself)
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