Earth Day – April 22, 2012
Spirituality of caring for Earth
Books: The Green Bible and the Holy Bible, especially Genesis 1&2, Psalms, Job 38-42, Rev. 22.
Love God Heal Earth by Sally G. Bingham; Creation Spirituality by Matthew Fox; Silent Spring by Rachel Carson, Sallie McFague, A New Climate for Theology.
Worship resources: www.seasonsofcreation.com; www.webofcreation.org;
Looking for facts: education
Courses: several courses from the Northwest Earth Institute, www.nwei.org; “Fishes and Loaves” from the Maine Council of Churches, www.mainecouncilofchurches.org
Films: “Carbon Nation, ” “Fresh,” “Food Inc.,” and “Dirt!” available from Netflix
“Meet Your Farmer,” about 6 Maine farmers, “ A Chemical Reaction, “about lawn care, and “Living Downstream,” about breast cancer, www.youtube.com
VBS curriculum, “Hildegard’s Farm”, available from Steve Hastings, shastings@fairpoint.net, and the Maine Conference Resource Center , www.maineucc.org
Websites: www.meipl.org, Maine Interfaith Power and Light website tab, “Climate Science,” a comprehensive bibliography
Needing solidarity, building community: organizations
Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine www.cleanandhealthyme.org, EarthMinistry www.earthministry.org, Maine Interfaith Power and Light www.meipl.org; Greenfaith, www.greenfaith.org;, Maine Council of Churches www.mainecouncilofchurches.org ; Justice and Witness Commission, Maine Conference of the UCC www.maineucc.org ; Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology www.fore.research.yale.edu; Maine Audubon Society Osprey Group, Falmouth; .
What can I do? Stewardship, practical steps, and advocacy
Consider a storm window insert outreach effort, starting at home. Window Dressers at Maine Interfaith Power & Light will get you started. Call Sam Saltonstall (899-0922) or Frank Mundo (236-22242).
Go for a U.C.C. Green Globe award: www.maineucc.org/commissions/cwl/Green%20Congregations.htm.
Join Maine Interfaith Power and Light and respond to legislative alerts, www.meipl.org.
Get an energy audit for your home or church through www.efficiencymaine.org.
Shop at a local farmers’ market.
Attend an event at your local environmental organization.
Reduce pesticides in your yard according to The Organic Lawn Care Manual by Paul Tukey of Yarmouth.
