Podcasts about interfaith power

As a lay leader of Traverse City Presbyterian Church, Linda Racine and a team of enthusiastic congregants prompted her church to start on a journey toward effective climate action. You can read about their commitment to creation care and learn about their 3 bright ideas for reducing carbon emissions in this congregation-led video. Traverse City Presbyterian took advantage of tools like the Interfaith Power and Light Carbon Assessment to understand their own energy use.Learn more about how Linda's denomination, the PCUSA, has committed to climate solutions in their Earth Pledge.Linda is also part of the Michigan Citizens Climate Lobby, which has local chapters all over the country.Many thanks to Linda and all the other terrific people who graciously hosted us when we visited Traverse City!Linda RacineTRANSCRIPTLinda Racine In 2022, there were multiple policies or overtures passed focused on creation care, and it really put out an alarm, saying “It's serious, folks, the Earth is really in trouble. So we need to take strong action.” And they were encouraging all churches to reduce their carbon emissions by at least 25% in the next four years and get it down to net zero or net positive by 2030.Debra RienstraWow. That's ambitious.Linda RacineVery ambitious. But a group of interested folks at church looked at that and said, “Let's do it. Let's go for it.”Debra Rienstra Welcome to the Refugia Podcast. I'm your host, Professor Debra Rienstra. Refugia are habitats in nature where life endures in times of crisis. We're exploring the concept of refugia as a metaphor, discovering how people of faith can become people of refugia: nurturing life-giving spaces in the earth, in our human cultural systems, and in our spiritual communities, even in this time of severe disturbance. This season, we're paying special attention to churches and Christian communities who have figured out how to address the climate crisis together as an essential aspect of their discipleship. Today, I'm talking with Linda Racine from the Presbyterian Church in Traverse City, Michigan. Linda happens to be Michigan co-coordinator for Citizen Climate Lobby, a role she adopted after a long career in academia. But I'm talking with Linda today in her role as a lay leader at the church. Traverse City Presbyterian, in many ways, is an ordinary congregation, but they are doing extraordinary work, integrating climate action into every aspect of church life. They have heat pumps, solar panels, native plantings, a pocket forest, educational programs and more. Their story demonstrates the importance of active pastoral and lay leadership, broad community buy-in, and denominational commitments. Linda will tell us their story. Let's get started.Debra RienstraLinda, thank you for talking with me today.Linda RacineOh, glad to be here.Debra RienstraIt's great to be here in your beautiful home, here in Traverse City. Thank you for your hospitality today, and I'm really excited to talk about the work of Traverse City Presbyterian Church. So I know you've been involved in the church for a long time. Maybe tell us a little bit about your personal background and how long you've been involved in the church.Linda Racine Oh, I think I joined about 25 years ago. We used we had been members at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church just down the street here, and it was actually our oldest son who was in high school at the time, going through confirmation class, and a lot of his friends were going to the Presbyterian Church, and he really wanted to go, and for a variety of reasons, we said, “Let's check it out.” And we've been members since. That was 25 years ago.Debra Rienstra Yeah, so you have been around for all of the adventures that your church has had in their creation care work. Yes, so let's start with that spark point. We're really interested in finding how these things begin with a church. So can you think back to the moment when something happened at the church that people began to work in earnest to respond to climate change as a community. What was that spark point for Traverse City Presbyterian?Linda Racine The thing that really kicked it off was Laura Jacobson, who manages/schedules things for our Wednesday night adult education, came to me because she knew I was really involved in Citizens Climate Lobby, which is a non-partisan volunteer organization. And, “Would you do a session on climate?” I wanted to, but I was also a little hesitant, just because, sadly, climate has become so politicized, and our church has had a long history—we're a purple church, check your politics at the door, and I was concerned about how people might receive it. So, I put together a presentation very thoughtfully about “How do I make this as non-political as possible?” But the heading for it was “Caring for God's Creation: a faith based approach to climate change.” I wasn't sure how it would go over. And at that time, we were getting maybe 20 people coming on Wednesday nights. 65 people came. The room was packed. So clearly there was a lot of interest.Debra Rienstra What year was this?Linda Racine It was like January of 2020, right before Covid hit.Debra Rienstra Goodness.Linda Racine So anyway, the evening went really well. Kind of started with a very broad based, here's what Scripture says. Here's what—oh, we did the Katharine Hayhoe video, which—she takes such a broad view of every faith tradition has something important to say about our responsibility to care for creation and for one another. So Katharine Hayhoe, then the Pope, and you know, went through some different traditions and how they're responding. And then did some information about what PCUSA was doing, which was new to me. I didn't really know what all our denomination—because it had never been talked about in our church. So went through that and offered the idea that our denomination has a certification process for creation care teams. And by the end, people were saying, “Let's do this!” There was an impromptu—somebody grabbed a piece of paper and pen, and “Who wants to be a part of the team?” And we got, I don't know, eight or 10 names on that list. Quickly got together and said, “Well, what do we want to do? Let's pitch it to our session.” So February's meeting, we had a proposal, and they all said, “Absolutely, let's go for it.” So that's what started it.Debra Rienstra What do you think prepared people to be that enthusiastic after one session? What was going on in the church? What are the congregation members like that makes you look back on that and say, “Yeah, we were somehow primed or prompted or ready for that moment.”Linda Racine I think that's hard to say. Our church has always—I guess what drew me to the church initially is it was really clear this was a community that really walked the talk. It wasn't coming on Sunday to check a box, but really genuinely living their faith. And people of faith were called to care for creation. And so I think that was a strong ethic that people had anyway. And clearly, by 2020, we're seeing, “Oh my gosh, this earth is in trouble.” That was pretty clear. And so, just to have a topic on—let's gather on Wednesday night and talk about it. I think people were ready.Debra Rienstra Fascinating, yeah. And I wonder if, because up north here in Michigan, this beautiful area of Michigan, people are very aware of the outdoors. So many people care a lot about the natural world around here and enjoy it. Summer up here is so beautiful. So I wonder if it was just a little bit of a more natural leap there.Linda Racine I think you've got a point there. People are drawn to this area because of its natural amazingness. And so there is a strong environmental ethic here. I mean, look at the land conservancy: all the explosion since that launched back in the 90s, I believe. The number of just natural areas that have been preserved, the whole Sleeping Bear sand dunes could have been development, but that has been preserved. There is a strong environmental ethic here. No question.Debra Rienstra Yeah, yeah. So what happened next? How did you go about inviting the whole congregation into a process that—you didn't know what was going to happen next. You have this spark moment. But then what happened?Linda Racine I think the structure of the certification process really drove that. It's so solid. When a church decides to do that, you're committing to really look at how you manage your facilities, how your worship embraces this, how your education programs, and advocacy—that's always been the toughest one. But those four areas. First you assess, where are we now? And then, what are your church's goals? And so that involved, in order to do that and to get all the committees in the church involved: what are you doing currently, and what would you like to do? What would you like to see happen in the next year? So every committee was involved in setting goals. The pastor support was critical. Oh my gosh, without that, this wouldn't have gone anywhere. Pastors have been, right from the beginning, very supportive. One Sunday, the whole church read the pledge.Debra Rienstra The Earth Care Pledge from the Presbyterian Church, okay.Linda Racine Yeah, yeah. So people were aware that that was going on. And then people have different interests. “I'm really excited about this piece of it or that piece of it.” So always open to anyone who wants to jump in and get involved to do that. But I think it's the discipline, the structure and the discipline, of that certification process that keeps us on track.Debra Rienstra Okay, yeah, and it sounds like you were able to get that certification pretty quickly, because you've had it since 2020, so pretty quickly you got the certification.Linda Racine Yeah, I think that first year, we filled out all the forms and sent goals, and then you submit that and get the certification, they review it at the denominational level,Debra Rienstra Yeah. So it seems, from all the conversations I've had with church folks this weekend that the physical plant aspects became a big part of it, first, as well as the landscaping and grounds aspects. So talk a little bit about the processes of those things happening.Linda Racine Well, one of the first projects that first year was converting pieces of ground. We had a bed out front that was dying. Some of the bushes were dying. And a couple of our church members, Gary Richardson and Cheryl Gross, were aware of a National Wildlife Federation grant opportunity. And so Gary was a member of Building and Grounds and took the idea to that committee, and they were all supportive of it. So we submitted the grant. We got $1,500 to get us started. And so work crews showed up. We ripped out the old plants. Then that also connected to the education piece. That's one of one of those other four areas. Our children's education person was absolutely passionate. So the Vacation Bible School that summer focused on pollinators. So we did a whole education piece on the role of pollinators and their importance, and then the kids helped plant the new pollinator garden.Debra Rienstra Yeah, awesome.Linda Racine Yeah. It was fabulous.Debra Rienstra So it sounds like what we need is enthusiasm across the leadership. Yeah. And the leadership working together.Linda Racine Absolutely.Debra Rienstra And I think you folks at this church have so many—not only enthusiastic, but really skilled leaders. You have organization experience. You have Cheryl, who does native plants as a passion. I had a wonderful tour today with Randy, who was excited about boilers and transferring those to heat pumps, which was so delightful to hear about. And at some point, the church made this wonderful video, which we'll link in the show notes, explaining the goals—the three bright ideas, goals. So talk about how that happened.Linda Racine That was triggered by our denomination's policy, where, as a denomination, delegates meet every two years to look at policy for the church. And in 2022, there were multiple policies or overtures passed focused on creation care, and it really put out an alarm, saying, “It's serious, folks. The earth is really in trouble, so we need to take strong action.” And they were encouraging all churches to reduce their carbon emissions by at least 25% in the next four years and get it down to net zero or net positive by 2030.Debra Rienstra Wow, that's ambitious.Linda Racine Very ambitious. But a group of interested folks at church looked at that and said, “Let's do it. Let's go for it.” So you need to start—understand where you are first before you can reduce something. So we use the Interfaith Power and Light carbon assessment. And Chris Wendland, who you met, really drove that train, and she and Randy both worked with staff to gather all the—here's our electric bills and our gas bills and all the stuff needed to submit that. And so then we got this feedback about, “Here's where you are.” And then it was, “Okay, now what do we do?” And so another church member said, “Let's talk with Tim Pulliam,” who was—he's the owner, executive, I don't know what his title, but he runs Keen Technical Solutions who, for I don't know, 25 years have been really focused on clean energy transformation.Debra Rienstra This is also a member of the church?Linda Racine Tim Pulliam is not, but it was a church member who recommended him. So Tim brought a team of folks in and looked at all this stuff, and they said, “Well, the thing you could—that would make the biggest impact the quickest would be changing all your lighting to LED.” So that seemed like a no brainer. We also had this ancient boiler that was ready to die any minute, and people were starting to panic about that. And so, okay, we got to do something there. And then there were a lot of people in the church saying, “Can we put solar panels up?” Because there's so many great things about the solar. Not only is it good for the clean energy, but it's also a public statement. It really is a public witness, and it helps normalize, because there's still so many people out there who think, “Oh, this is Northern Michigan. You can't— solar is worthless here.” Well, actually, it's not.Debra Rienstra Actually, it's not, especially because we have such very long summer days.Linda Racine Yes, yeah. And so anyway, there was a lot of enthusiasm around that. So kind of gathered after Sunday, after church on Sunday, anybody who wanted to come and talked about, “Well, here's what the report said, and what do we think?” And so there was interest in all three of those ideas. So we created task forces. People said, “Yeah, I'll work on this.” And everybody, the groups, had about three months to do their homework, come back with, “Here's what we think the options are and what it's going to cost.” And that in about April of that year, we heard what people had to say, and people wanted to do all three.Debra Rienstra Yeah, that's just amazing. Was there resistance at all? Were there people who were resistant?Linda Racine I'm not remembering that. Maybe they weren't showing up at the meetings. Are they quiet? I don't know. I don't remember. I mean, there's always questions about, “Well, will solar really work?” There were questions about, “Well, can we afford it?” And that was maybe the biggest concern. But people had done quite a bit of research on that, and between the very low interest loans that our denomination offers—that was huge, the potential for grants. And we did end up getting an $80,000 grant from our local utility. And then at that time there were IRA dollars available. That's a question mark right now, but the combination of that, and then when you look at the energy savings, it's like, “Okay, what we're going to save in electric bills is probably going to be pretty darn close to covering our monthly loan payment.” So when people saw that, it was like, collective, “Okay, sure, this is doable.”Debra Rienstra So at that point was the video made at that point?Linda Racine Yes, because the next step was, “Okay. So we've got maybe 50 people in the room. We've got 600 people in the church. How do we get everybody involved?” So putting together a strategy for really getting everyone enthused about it. And so the idea for the video came up. And Ray Starkenberg and her dad are professional videographers.Debra Rienstra Once again, talent in the congregation.Linda RacineOh my gosh. And so they took that project on. And you've seen the video, it's just amazing. The storytelling is so well done.Debra Rienstra It's playful, it's persuasive, it's full of facts. And I love the theme, you know, “the time is now” is the theme of the video, and the involvement of kids in the video saying their piece, saying, “This is about me and my future. Please help.” It's just—and that combined with the playfulness, it's just brilliant.Linda Racine It's a good balance, isn't it? Yeah. And a couple things about that. One member of the church, after seeing the video, said, “If this was just about buying a new boiler, I wouldn't be that enthused. But this is about the future. There was so much enthusiasm in the church after really hearing the whole story and the possibilities there. I do want to mention, that theme, “the time is now,” that's right out of the overture that was passed by our general assembly.Debra Rienstra Yeah. Once again, that denominational leadership is so important.Linda Racine Yeah, that was in that very first overture in 2022 talking about how serious this moment in time is and the time is now to act.Debra Rienstra Hi, it's me, Debra. If you are enjoying this podcast episode, go ahead and subscribe on your preferred podcast platform. If you have a minute, leave a review. Good reviews help more listeners discover this podcast. To keep up with all the Refugia news, I invite you to subscribe to the Refugia newsletter on Substack. This is my fortnightly newsletter for people of faith who care about the climate crisis and want to go deeper. Every two weeks, I feature climate news, deeper dives, refugia sightings and much more. Join our community at refugianewsletter.substack.com. For even more goodies, including transcripts and show notes for this podcast, check out my website at debrarienstra.com. D-E-B-R-A-R-I-E-N-S-T-R-A dot com. Thanks so much for listening. We're glad you're part of this community. And now back to the interview.Debra RienstraSo how was the video used and disseminated?Linda Racine We started doing some meetings, just in homes, small groups, eight or 10 people. Showing the video, and then having a discussion. And that was the first step, and getting people's questions answered, and then Sunday morning it was in the service. And, wow.Debra Rienstra So it worked, so to speak, yeah.Linda Racine And then it's been on our website ever since. The thing is that video has gone—I wouldn't say viral, but it has been broadly, broadly disseminated.Debra Rienstra Oh, I can see why. I think every church should imitate it as best they can. Yeah, I mean the statistics—the numbers are specific to you folks.Linda Racine Yeah, the storytelling though, the power of that, are things that other churches can use, yes.Debra Rienstra And it stars many people from your church. So the stars of the show are your fellow congregants.Linda Racine And they're all people who have really stepped up and wanted to be and are a key part of this.Debra Rienstra So at this point you have—the heat pump system is well underway. Solar panels are sitting on the roof waiting for installation when the snow melts. You have education programs going. Maybe we'll come back to that. Quite a lot of landscaping work, quite a lot of native planting done, really neat native gardens. You have a pocket forest going. So as far as the four things, the four elements of earth care congregation: it's the building, the landscaping...Linda Racine Well, those are kind of together, so how you manage your facilities.Debra Rienstra Okay, what are the other three again?Linda Racine Worship. And pastors lead that, and they do that beautifully. That first year that we received certification, we had a kickoff celebration in the prayer garden that was just lovely. And so that theme gets worked into the worship by the pastors.Debra Rienstra Yeah, give some examples of how that happens in worship. Are there sermons? Is it in the litanies, in the music?Linda Racine Hmm, probably all of the above.Debra Rienstra Yeah. Okay, and you have two worship services. So this has to be done in two different ways, so it requires a little creativity.Linda Racine Yeah, although often in the spring, especially around earth— there can be combined services. We do a combined service once a month anyway, and so there have been a couple earth care themed services, that way it was one service.Debra Rienstra Yeah. And then do you have anything special for Earth Day or Season of Creation?Linda Racine Usually, yes, on like Wednesday, well, that would be more the education piece, but usually on the Wednesday nights, we've done something big related to earth care. This year, we're telling our story. We've got a thing planned for that Wednesday of Earth Week. We're inviting every church in the region to come and hear the story. Our contractor will be there to answer questions, and resource people, the Light and Power folks will be there. So if they have questions about, “Well, what programs do you have?” And there are other churches in the area also that are doing similar things. So it'll be a good chance to share stories also and learn from one another. So we're doing— that's the plan for this during Earth Care Week.Debra Rienstra So just to make the refugia connection there, as Traverse City Presbyterian is operating as a refugia place, a refugia space, doing their work, modeling that work, with this idea of getting other churches together, you're creating those corridors and creating that whole network to let these life giving capacities spread and grow. That's brilliant. Really great idea.Linda Racine Another thing that we've done, we've got a racial justice task force that has, over the last several years, made a very focused effort to build relationship with the local tribe. And so the last, I think, three Lent seasons that we've had a Lenten series where inviting tribal leadership into talk about the—to educate us about the history of the tribe and practices and beliefs, and whereas much of that is focused on caring for the earth, caring for Mother Earth, it's central, yeah. So we've learned a lot and helped make a connection with that.Debra Rienstra I noticed in your bulletin, there's a land acknowledgement. And also I noticed you have a garden specifically co-cared for with the indigenous folk around.Linda Racine Not yet.Debra Rienstra Okay, that's in the plans.Linda Racine Yes, it's on the plans to—because in one of the sessions where a tribal leader was talking about...it was right after the land acknowledgement had been created. And the talking through that, someone at the end asked, “So, what's next?” You know, we really, our heart is in this land acknowledgement, what's next? And her response was, “When you care for the earth, you care for the Anishinaabek and what we believe in.” So that sparked this thing in my head of, “Oh my, here's a beautiful opportunity.” And we followed up, thinking, if we could learn from tribal leadership on how to create a healing garden, we'd love to do that. And so we have had one of the tribal leaders come and help educate us about a healing garden, what all it involves. And we've created a space. It's all smothered and ready to go. And the first thing that we would like to plant there is a plum tree. Because what we learned from her, I had no idea, but apparently, the plum tree is a has a very special place in the Anishinaabek story, where—my understanding is that plum trees were very prevalent in the Grand Rapids area, and when the Dutch came and settled that area, the plum trees were taken out. And so, in fact, it was hard when she came to meet with us, she had brought a plum tree as a gift, and we didn't have a place to put it. Broke my heart. But we so would love that to be the center of this healing garden. So we've got, you know, ground is all ready. We weren't even sure where it ought to go. And so anyway, so we've got a spot, because she helped us find a place for the healing garden. So as soon as we can reconnect, and they have the time, though, we're going to get that garden launched.Debra Rienstra Wow, that's beautiful. And will it be medicinal plants?Linda Racine That's the thought, yes.Debra Rienstra So healing plants, but also healing a relationship.Linda Racine Both, yes, all three, yeah, all three things.Debra Rienstra Beautiful. So a lot of churches struggle with—I've been sort of calling it the “boutique issue” problem, which is to say, you have, you know, your creation care folk, and they have a green team or something, and they kind of do their little thing off to the side, and other people have other issues that they're dealing with, and it's really hard to get that creation care work to infuse through, to diffuse through the whole congregation's life. And it sounds like that happened fairly organically. So what advice would you have for other churches that struggle with that boutique issue problem?Linda Racine Well, I think the strength of the PCUSA certification process is what allowed that to happen or fostered that. Because when you've got—you're required or expected to set goals in very comprehensive list of how the church functions, it really requires everybody to be involved. And so right from the beginning, pretty much every committee was asked to look at, what are we doing related to creation care, and what do we want to do? And every year that gets repeated. So there's a clear—we've got a pace of it. It's built into the planning structure. Every fall, the committees are looking at their goals around everything but creation care is on the list, and they're looking at their budgets to submit for the final reports and what happens next year. So it's really built into the fabric and structure of how we operate. So if it weren't for that, it would be a committee off to the side doing whatever it does. But really, everyone in all committees are involved.Debra Rienstra So it sounds like that answers my next question too, which has to do with the problem of “fade.” So by that, I mean everybody gets excited. You replace the boiler, you replace the LED lights, or replace lights with LED, and then...yeah, this enthusiasm sort of fades. But it sounds like that annual goal-setting process with an indefinite horizon, like there's no end point to that, right? So that annual goal-setting process also helps with that fade problem.Linda Racine I think it's key.Debra Rienstra One last question, what has been most challenging and most joyful about the transformation that Traverse City Presbyterian has gone through in a mere five years?Linda Racine I don't know that anything has been particularly hard, but oh my gosh, the joy. Ah. Just so many examples. When we decided that there was this huge section of lawn that was totally unusable as lawn, let's turn it into a pocket forest. And we were able to get a local tree trimmer to donate the wood chips to smother it. And we have this huge group of people with two truckloads or three, I don't know how many truckloads of stuff. We're out with the wheelbarrows spreading stuff. We're having so much fun. Jordan is sliding down it like it's a ski slope. We're just having a great time, and I'm looking around and thinking, “I absolutely love this community.” They're so committed to being the best stewards of creation and one another. Yeah, it's not hard, it's just wonderful.Debra Rienstra Linda, it's been such a pleasure to talk to you. There's been joy in this conversation, too. Thank you for your time. Thank you for all that you do and blessings on Traverse City Presbyterian.Debra Rienstra Thanks for joining us for show notes and full transcripts, please visit debrarienstra.com and click on the Refugia Podcast tab. This season of the Refugia Podcast is produced with generous funding from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. Colin Hoogerwerf is our awesome audio producer. Thanks to Ron Rienstra for content consultation as well as technical and travel support. Till next time, be well. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit refugianewsletter.substack.com

Welcome to the first episode of Season 4! I'm so glad to share with you this delightful episode about a group of terrific Lutheran folks who exemplify joyful lay leadership and getting a whole congregation on board on behalf of climate action.Many thanks to Judy Hinck and to the lively group of Mount Olive members who spent an afternoon with me and Ron sharing their climate justice journey (so far!). Special thanks to Art Halbardier, who graciously hosted and offered extremely helpful background before our visit.To learn more about Mount Olive Lutheran's work, check out this article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune about Mount Olive's geothermal project. You might also appreciate this document recounting the history of Mount Olive's climate work, or these links with more about the history of their climate justice initiatives, their 2017 statement, their climate justice page, and an FAQ document about their projects:You can also learn more about the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's statements on climate justice and about the Minnesota chapter of Interfaith Power and Light. To read Pope Francis' encyclical on climate, visit Laudato si'. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit refugianewsletter.substack.com

When we allow our hearts to be broken open by hearing the stories of our fellow human beings, we build community and compassion. That is the passionate message of Sister Simone Campbell, one of the most renowned figures in contemporary faith-based progressive activism. She and the other rebel Nuns on the Bus are touring the country, bridging divides, transforming politics and keeping the faith. Featuring Sister Simone Campbell is a poet, social justice attorney and one of the nation's most influential faith-based progressive activists. She led the famous 2012 “Nuns on the Bus” tour to challenge Congressional budget proposals that radically slashed programs for the poor. She shares her vision of how we can heal our divisions and differences, create a renewed sense of community, and build a far more just, peaceful, verdant and compassionate world. Introduction by Reverend Sally Bingham, Interfaith Power and Light. Resources Sister Simone Campbell speaking at Bioneers 2015 This is an episode of the Bioneers: Revolution from the Heart of Nature series. Visit the radio and podcast homepage to learn more.

Rumi Forum, Interfaith Council of Metropolitan Washington, and Washington Theological Consortium presented the 4th Interfaith Leadership Forum: “Interfaith Engagement with the Environmental Crisis” on May 31, 2023. The program featured keynote speaker Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb, an interfaith panel, and an opportunity for small group dialogues. Keynote by: Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb, D.Min. started at Adat Shalom when the synagogue was only eight years old, and meeting at the JCC – he was still in rabbinic school, Founding Rabbi Sid was part-time, Shabbat morning services were every other week, and cell phones hardly existed. Upon ordination from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 1997, he became its first full-time rabbi and has joyfully served here ever since. Rabbi Fred currently serves as Chair of the National Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life and is on the boards of the National Religious Partnership for the Environment and Interfaith Power and Light (The Regeneration Project). Fred has also been deeply engaged in social and racial justice (including Jews United for Justice), multi-faith (a past board member of the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington), and Israeli-progressive (J Street and more) efforts. Panelists: Sevim Kalyoncu: Growing up in Alabama surrounded by woods and creeks, Sevim Kalyoncu discovered early that her most direct connection with God came through nature. To this day, she still finds peace in natural surroundings and holds a deep concern regarding humankind's responsibility as vicegerent of the earth. She is involved with multiple local climate action groups and is dedicated to helping educate youth about the importance of environmental awareness for spiritual, mental, and physical well-being. She holds a B.S. from Georgetown and a master's degree from the University of Chicago and has many years of nonprofit experience in Washington, DC, and the San Francisco Bay Area. She is also a naturalist interpreter and a yoga instructor. Rev. Dr. Gilson Waldkoenig: Rev. Dr. Gilson Waldkoenig teaches methods for understanding ministry in context and applied theology rooted in the resilient grace of Christ. As Director of the Town and Country Church Institute (TCCI), Dr. Waldkoenig teaches courses in rural and Appalachian ministry and is sought out by synods, judicatories, and other seminaries for consultation and teaching. His research has included multiple-church ministries, environmental ministries, and a variety of other topics, all reflecting his practical theology of “means of grace and scenes of grace.” He belongs to St. James Lutheran Church in Gettysburg. His books include Cooperating Congregations and Symbiotic Community, The Lost Land, and his reviews appeared in Agricultural History, Journal of Appalachian Studies, Journal for Study of Religion, Nature & Culture, Christian Century, and others. Dr. Rajwant Singh: Dr. Rajwant Singh is the founder and President of EcoSikh, a global organization working on the climate crisis facing the planet. It has engaged the worldwide Sikh community to take action on environmental issues. He also co-founded the National Sikh Campaign, an initiative to inform Americans about the Sikh identity. Dr. Rajwant Singh is also the Chairman of the Sikh Council on Religion and Education (SCORE), an organization that has worked with the White House and the members of the United States Congress. He organized a large gathering of the Sikhs to interact with political and elected leaders at Capitol Hill. He was instrumental in organizing the first-ever celebration of Guru Nanak's birth anniversary at the White House in 2009. Kristin Barker: Kristin Barker is co-founder and director of One Earth Sangha, whose mission is cultivating a Buddhist response to ecological crises. She graduated from Spirit Rock's Community Dharma Leader program and now teaches with the Insight Meditation Community of Washington. As a co-founder of White Awake, Kristin has been supporting white people since 2011 with a Dharma approach to uprooting racism in ourselves and in our world. With a background in software engineering and environmental management, she has worked at several international environmental organizations. She is a GreenFaith Fellow and serves on the advisory board of Project Inside Out. Kristin was born and raised in northern New Mexico and currently lives in Washington, DC, the traditional lands of the Piscataway people. The Interfaith Leadership Forum (ILF) presented its 4th program during Days of Unity, entitled “Interfaith Engagement with the Environmental Crisis”. Rumi Forum and its partners were glad to collaborate with the Interfaith Council of Metropolitan Washington (IFCMW) for the 4th ILF, which coincides with their 6th Annual Days of Unity during the month of May 2023.

Interfaith Power & Light, plus Ecuadorian indigenous communities convince court to close copper mine, and it's International Beaver Day!

In this episode Forrest talks with Jessica Zimmerle, Advocacy Director at Earth Ministry. Earth Ministry, part of the Interfaith Power & Light network in the US, aims to inspire and mobilize people of faith from diverse traditions, to advocate for strong environmental policies, and offer guidance to faith communities working toward environmental justice. Importantly, they work to create conversation and collaboration that doesn't ignore cultural and ideological differences; instead, they place a high value on diversity that brings new perspective and broadens understanding.Link to Forrest & Kayra's video review of the Carbon Collective site.Discount code for $50 of the Waymarkers course: WILDAUTUMNEARTHKEEPERS. Expires 10/01/22 Guest: Jessica Zimmerle - Program & Outreach director for Earth Ministry/Washington Interfaith Power & Light Interfaith Power & Light Greening Congregations toolkit Mentions: fracked gas facility threatening Puyallup land in Tacoma, Washington salmon &orca are spiritual keystone species for Northwest tribes Madagascar- biodiversity; worst economy in the world Lummi Nation - healing totem pole journeys proposed coal terminal on sacred Lummi Nation land - Cherry Point Doctrine of Discovery; Wikipedia entry; UN preliminary report - 2010 Earthkeepers' interview with Anne Bikle and David MontgomeryEarthkeepers' interviews with Mary DeJong--24 and 44Earthkeepers' interview with Multifaith Network for Climate JusticeJewish Shmita year - year of rest and economic reset Evangelical Environmental Network Green Muslims  Hazon - Jewish Lab for Sustainability  Creation Justice Ministries  US Climate Action Network Climate Action Network  Keywords: Interfaith, multifaith, ecumenical, climate justice, Northwest Native

This episode of Spotlights features Andreas Karelas,  the founder and executive director of RE-volv, a nonprofit organization that empowers people around the country to help nonprofits in their communities go solar and raise awareness about the benefits of clean energy. He is also the author of Climate Courage: How Tackling Climate Change Can Build Community, Transform the Economy, and Bridge the Political Divide in America. Andreas talks about new developments in renewable energy, particularly in light of the Inflation Reduction Act in the USA. Signed into law in August 2022, the IRA includes almost $400 billion in spending on energy and climate change. Along with the IRA, Andreas discusses some new projects he is working on, including a partnership with Green The Church and Interfaith Power & Light, aimed at accelerating the deployment of solar energy in underserved communities by assisting BIPOC houses of worship around the country go solar. 

Carbon Costs: Understanding Offsetting with Brittany Michalski of Carbon Stewards In this episode, Forrest talks with Brittany Michalski of Climate Stewards, USA. The aim of Climate Stewards is to make the world a healthier, fairer place for all creation. They do this by helping individuals and communities to become more aware of the planet-warming carbon emissions that they produce in their day-to-day activities. They also provide opportunities for people to essentially "make up" for their harmful carbon emissions by putting money towards carbon reducing projects around the world--projects that improve the lives of communities in less developed countries around the world. Guest: Brittany Michalski - project coordinator for Climate Stewards USA Climate Stewards 360carbon tool for churches & small businesses  Climate Stewards' US carbon calculator Climate Stewards' annual reports  Mentions:A Rocha USAA Rocha Ghana Common loon songs Earthkeepers' interview with Caroline Pomeroy- Climate Stewards UK  bio sand water filters fireless cookers Master's in International Community Development, Northwest Universitybook - Under the Sky We Make by Kimberly Nicholas, PhD Kyle Mayaard-Schaap - Evangelical Environmental Network book - Saving Us by Katherine Hayhoe, PhD Earthkeepers interview with Katherine HayhoeEarthkeepers interview with The Multifaith Network for Climate Justice (in Bellingham, WA)  Keywords: Carbon offsetting, greenwashing, carbon footprint, carbon emissions, carbon tax, A Rocha, Katharine Hayhoe, Interfaith Power and Light, tomato seeds

On this episode of “Come Pray with Me” I interview Joelle Novey, the director of Interfaith Power and Light. They are dedicated to helping congregations of all faiths go green. To learn more about Interfaith Power and Light and get involved, visit https://ipldmv.org/ This episode was edited by Ashley Trammell.

Duke Energy's solar panel rebate program expires this year, and faith groups such as the North Carolina Council of Churches and Interfaith Power and Light are urging churches across the state to take advantage of the program during National Faith Climate Action Week, which begins today. Anne Hodges-Copple, bishop suffragan of the Diocese of North Carolina, said dozens of North Carolina congregations have saved on energy bills using the program. "There's all kinds of partners ready to help make this line up in a way that just has a huge benefit to any worshiping community that needs to save money," Hodges-Copple pointed out. "As well as cares about taking care of the earth." A 2018 survey by the U.S. Energy Information Administration found many commercial buildings, including churches, spend thousands of dollars a year on lighting and space heating and cooling. Elizabeth Bennett, director of stakeholder engagement for Duke Energy, said churches may be able to receive up to $75,000 in rebates. "And what the rebate program does is not only provides a rebate for nonprofits who want to install solar, but really helps them through the process," Bennett explained. She noted church leaders should first look at the program's eligibility requirements and added there are plenty of resources to help congregations start the process. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/carolinaweather/message

"We are commanded to sustain the world."- Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin & Rabbi Avram Resiner “They shall forever inhabit this earth, the result of My planting, the work of My hands in which I glory.” (Isaiah 60:21)Shmita is a set of commandments in the Jewish and Christian Bibles (The Torah) to practice and celebrate the cyclical "release" of agricultural lands, financial debts, slaves, and ancestral lands. "Shmita Live" was a conversation on Zoom, March 1, 2022 exploring the ancient shmita commandments' many meanings today. The event brought together a number of the amazing people who contributed to AllCreation.org's "Shmita Now" collection, created by guest editor Yaira Robinson. Our fun and incisive hour celebrates these fine folks, welcomes some outstanding guests, and gives everyone a chance to share some truly breakthrough ideas on how to integrate the ancient shmita commandments into our lives now. We hope you enjoy listening. Co-hosted by: AllCreation.org, National Wildlife Federation, Shmita Project Northwest, and Hazon. Presented by BioIntegrity Partnerships. Original event page: Shmita Live.Background info:  The shmita verses: Exodus 23: 10-11, Leviticus 25:2–7, Leviticus 25:20–22, and Deuteronomy 15:1–3 "Shmita Live" PDF with panelists' names & links (for download) Shmita explanation on Wikipedia PANELISTS Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin of St. Mary's Seminary, and MDEHR  Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb of Adat Shalom, Interfaith Power & Light, and COEJL Dr. Mirele Goldsmith of Jewish Earth Alliance Simcha Scwhartz of Wilderness Torah Rabbi Laura Bellows of Dayenu Nati Passow of Dayenu, and Jewish Farm School Shmita Project Northwest's Deirdre Gabbay Hazon's Sarah Zell Young National Wildlife Federation's Naomi Edelson AllCreation.org's Chris Searles (moderator) PROGRAMI. WELCOME  0:00 Preroll 0:08 Welcome & Introductions -- by Chris Searles (moderator), AllCreation.org  3:35 "Shmita 101" by Deirdre Gabbay (co-host), Shmita Project Northwest II. PANELIST SELF-INTRODUCTIONS  6:30 Naomi Edelson, senior dir., National Wildlife Federation. references: Deuteronomy 30:19 (the life verse), and -> Sacred Grounds

Originally broadcast July 4, 2021. The post Susannah Tuttle, director of NC Interfaith Power & Light, discusses a hope-filled response to climate change appeared first on NC Policy Watch.

Shmita and the Climate Crisis. In this insightful podcast, Joelle Novey and guest editor Yaira Robinson discuss Shmita, who "owns" the Earth, the rhythms of Jewish sacred time, how to sustain activism, paradoxes, and more. About Joelle Joelle Novey is director of Interfaith Power & Light (DC.MD.NoVA). She graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University where she received a BA in Social Studies and a minor in the Study of Religion. She is also co-author of Green and Just Celebrations, a purchasing guide that Jews United for Justice (JUFJ) distributes to local congregations for assisting families in making greener purchasing decisions around weddings and bar/bat mitzvah celebrations. She is also an active leader in her local Jewish community. About Interfaith Power & Light National office State affifiliates References Joelle's purchasing guide (book): Green and Just Celebrations Jewish communuty Joelle co-founded: Tikkun Leil Shabbat Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb Environmental Torah Dobb's source sheet (to inform a Jewish response to climate change) Rabbi Joseph Karo 5782 is a Shmita year Faith community land acknowledgements  Jewish Brachot (blessings said before eating and at other times) Rabbi Simcha Bunim Rabbi Levy, Talmud scholar  Katharine Hayhoe, Saving Us Joelle Novey and Katharine Hayhoe discuss Saving Us Quotes I come from people who get involved and take action when life is at stake. Certainly, with the climate crisis we are in such a moment right now, and I feel like if I get anything from my tradition in facing this moment it's that I need to take action rather than look for reasons to delay.The older I get the more I feel like we just have to live with irresolvable paradoxes and that if we can navigate through them with some kind of balance, and feeling tension on both sides, that's the wise path, that's the way forward.  I think we have to have weekday consciousness in one pocket and Shmita consciousness in the other pocket. I am grieving for so much that I love. I am grieving for the people I love who will experience a warmer and more dangerous world. I am grieving for the species that will not make it. I am feeling grief that is grounded in tremendous love. And then suddenly, with my heart open and my hands open, that's a tremendously powerful thing. It's like, I'm gonna be a warrior in the world for the things I love. I'm gonna have fierce, mother-bear protective energy for all that  I love. And, I'm in the fight of my life for all that I love. We have to make time to release and restore. There' s a role for everyone that's completely authentic to who they are. . . Everyone already is who they need to be, to respond to the climate crisis, because they all already love someone who will be harmed by the climate crisis. And, we can never invite people to be someone else, but we can always invite them to be more fully who they are. ###############Thanks for listening. This podcast was produced and edited by Chris Searles.Audio processing by Jeffrey Haley. Visit the AllCreation podcast site or AllCreation.org for more. 

Coming 12/21/21, our next collection, Shmita: The Sabbatical Year. The full collection, guest edited by Yaira Robinson, explores the meaning of "Shmita: The Sabbatical Year" today and features articles, artworks, and interviews. This podcast features a few short segments from our upcoming podcasts. We are excited to welcome six new guests. Heard in this collection, in order of appearance:  Deirdre Gabbay (fndr,dir., Shmita Project Northwest) Joelle Novey (exec. dir., Interfaith Power and Light D.C.MA.NoVA.) Yaira Robinson (guest editor, AllCreation.org) Dr. Mirele Goldsmith (co-founder, Jewish Earth Alliance) Dr. Rev. Daryl Horton (senior pastor,  Mt. Zion Baptist Church) Rabbi Neil Blumofe (senior rabbi, Congregation Agudas Achim) Naomi Edelson (snr. dir., National Wildlife Federation). The full collection will be published on the Winter Solstice, 12/21/21. Thanks for listening - Allcreation.org 

On the second day of COP 26, Jakir met up with Reverend Susan Hendershot. Rev. Susan Hendershot has served as president of Interfaith Power & Light since 2018. She was raised in a blue-collar family outside of Cleveland, Ohio. After graduate school, she moved to Iowa, where she was ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and served as a pastor in local congregations, focusing on social justice. Since the year 2000, Interfaith Power & Light has partnered with thousands of congregations to address climate change by stewarding Creation. For more information about Hazon at COP 26, visit hazon.org. For more information about Interfaith Power & Light, visit www.interfaithpowerandlight.org/. Note: These episodes are not published on the same day they are recorded, some of the conversations may not reflect breaking news at COP 26.

Sister Joan Brown talks about the power of interfaith efforts in New Mexico to address climate change. Hear the full In Good Faith episode IGF045 at aNunsLife.org. 

This podcast is a creation of Faith in Place — a multifaith environmental justice non-profit based in Illinois. We are the proud affiliate of Interfaith Power & Light and we are on a mission to empower Illinois people of all faiths to be leaders in caring for the Earth, providing resources to educate, connect, and advocate for healthier communities. This week's episode was produced by Katie Maxwell. Your Hosts are Katie Maxwell and Lauren Paris. Our theme song is “Sweet Talk” by Tyra Chatney. Please rate, review, or share this podcast with someone who might enjoy it. We can be found on all the major platforms including: iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher. If you enjoy this podcast, please support the work of Faith in Place by donating! Please go to https://www.faithinplace.org/donate. Your support means we can empower more youth, engage with more Green Teams, and advocate for better climate policies that put people and the planet first.

In her work at Interfaith Power and Light, Hermina Glass-Hill encourages people of faith to be good stewards of the Earth. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

On episode four of Hot Mamas, I chat with Joelle Novey, mom of two young children and director of Interfaith Power and Light for Maryland, Washington, DC, and Northern Virginia. She shares how she came to work on climate, asking the question of what it would actually mean to truly live out our faith and moral values in all of our practices, and how a stint as a hospital chaplain was the best possible training for her work shepherding people through the climate crisis. We talk about why allowing ourselves to feel the grief of the climate crisis is the way to be fully human in this moment, but how harnessing the fierce warrior protectiveness of motherhood is how we can, at the same time, fight for all that we can save. The problems with Noah's ark imagery, the value of rest, and reflection on "what is mine to do?" are some of the rich topics that come up in our conversation. Joelle shares so much wisdom from her work with many different faith traditions and multi-generational communities and how she tries to model the reality she is seeking to create-even in the darkest times. Recommended resources for this episode:Joelle directs Interfaith Power & Light (DC.MD.NoVA) [www.ipldmv.org], one of a network [www.interfaithpowerandlight.org/about/state/] of Interfaith Power & Light affiliates engaging faith communities in climate work around the country. Joelle also serves on the advisory board of Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action Dayenu.orgA video of Joelle and her son on why they march:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zWcPmIriCoWwRmFBAmfUKbDABt8sY1sA/viewRe-examine the imagery of Noah's ark:Lecture by Rabbi Julia Watts Belser, "Reading Noah's Ark in the Age of Climate Change" https://www.mtso.edu/theologicalcommons/archive-resources/reading-noahs-ark-in-the-age-of-climate-change/ Noah's Archive: A Conversation with Jeffrey Jerome Cohen and Julian Yates https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krGEy4nth30Pope Francis' encyclical teaching on ecology, Laudato Si:https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html

Jonny interviews our Watershed Discipleship Compassion Team. Our friends Kristen and Jeremy share their views on climate change as it is, and unique ways to combat it. But there's more! They talk about decolonizing the land to view it in light of its waterways and other land formations, as opposed to our created boundary lines. Allowing the natural world to inform our perspective gives us a greater appreciation for it, and new insights into dismantling global warming. They also get into intersecting climate and environmentalism with other social justice issues, understanding how climate change deeply affects impoverished and BIPOC communities, and white supremacy and racism's involvement in the climate crisis. A compelling must-listen interview from two great minds helping to lead us into a more sustainable future. Also, pastors consider the question: what did you need or receive in your own faith development early on in your life? They recount the good and the bad in their formation from church experiences. And as always, we end with Spiritual Show and Tell: Bach, Nietzsche, Dear White Peacemakers and Osheta Moore, the recovery community in South Philly. //Notes// -Interview- Color Correction: https://www.colorcorrectionpodcast.com/ How To Save A Planet: https://gimletmedia.com/shows/howtosaveaplanet Green New Deal: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hres109/BILLS-116hres109ih.pdf Randy Woodley: https://www.georgefox.edu/seminary/faculty/randy-woodley.html Watershed Discipleship: https://watersheddiscipleship.org/ Watershed Discipleship Compassion Team: kristenalycesnow@gmail.com Kristen Snow IG: ka.snow Jeremy Avellino IG: brightcommon Philly Thrive: https://www.phillythrive.org/ Philadelphia Climate Action Playbook: https://www.phila.gov/2021-01-15-cap/ Racism is Killing the Planet article by Hop Hopkins: https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/racism-killing-planet Philly Thrive campaign: https://www.phillythrive.org/ Dr. Robert Bullard, Father of Environmental Justice: https://drrobertbullard.com/ Great TED talk/book by John Francis, "Planetwalker": https://www.ted.com/talks/john_francis_walk_the_earth_my_17_year_vow_of_silence Watershed Discipleship books: https://watersheddiscipleship.org/ http://www.rewildingtheway.com/ Interfaith Power and Light: https://www.interfaithpowerandlight.org/ Passive Rowhouse Manual: https://greenbuildingunited.org/newsroom/it-s-here-the-passive-rowhouse-manual The Yale Program on Climate Communication: https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/visualizations-data/ycom-us/ James H. Cone in Sojourners, "Whose Earth is it Anyway?": https://sojo.net/magazine/july-2007/whose-earth-it-anyway -Spiritual Show and Tell- Celebrating Our Transhistorical Body Blog: https://www.circleofhope.net/transhistorical/july-28-johann-sebastian-bach/ Yo-Yo Ma Plays Bach: Cello Suite No. 5 in C Minor, Allemande: https://youtu.be/JksKMu6E2Mk “Are you Not Entertained? Attention and Watching Culture” by Alissa Wilkinson on “For the Life of the World.” Cinema Paradiso original soundtrack (with alto saxophone): https://youtu.be/JlQh4PeB8PE Yo-Yo Ma does it with Cello: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtX_R2W-YK8 //About this Podcast// Resist and Restore is a podcast by Circle of Hope. We're extending the table of our dialogue! Tune in bi-weekly as the Circle of Hope pastors—Rachel, Ben, Julie, and Jonny—sit down to dialogue about faith, God, Jesus, the spiritual life, and everything in between. Available on Spotify, iTunes/Apple Music, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and more. //Contact Us// Website: https://circleofhope.church Email: ResistandRestorePodcast@circleofhope.net IG/TW: @circleofhopenet YouTube: https://youtube.com/circleofhope FB: https://fb.me/CircleofHopePhillyRegion Help keep the show running! Contribute at: https://circleofhope.church/share

I met the Rev. Dr. Ambrose Carroll when we both traveled to northern Minnesota in early June 2021 to support the water protectors who are resisting the building of a pipeline, called Line 3, that will bring even more dirty tar sands oil from Alberta, Canada to the Great Lakes. We were both there as part of an interfaith delegation in support of the Indigenous leaders who are putting their bodies on line to stop the building of this pipeline that will cut right through the treaty lands of the Anishinaabe people. Ambrose is the pastor of The Church by the Side of the Road in Berkeley, CA. He has a long resume of being a pastor and chaplain. He was a green fall fellow with Van Jones in Denver, CO working on green jobs and environmental justice. He met Sally Bingham, the founder of Interfaith Power & Light, and realized there aren't many Black churches who are part of that movement and realized that has to change. 

Learn more about NCIPL here. The post Susannah Tuttle, director of NC Interfaith Power & Light, discusses a hope-filled response to climate change appeared first on NC Policy Watch.

Sister Joan Brown, OSF, is Executive Director of New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light. The organization works from the core belief that care of the natural world is integral to spiritual life and social justice. Sister Joan works with people of many faith traditions for education, action, and policy advocacy around climate change and care of Earth. Previously, she ministered as a journalist, director of Pikes Peace Justice and Peace Commission, and co-director of Tierra Madra, a sustainable strawbale self-help housing project that she co-founded. Sister Joan grew up on a farm near Olpe, Kansas, in the Bluestem Prairie region. She has a bachelor's degree in English and a master's degree in Religion and Cosmology. She is a Sister of St. Francis of Rochester, Minnesota. Subscribe to our newsletter    Check out lots more podcasts  Visit our website

On this week’s Sustainability Now!, your host, Justin Mog, sits down in communion with Unitarian Universalist Rev. Dawn Cooley, Executive Director of Kentucky Interfaith Power & Light (http://kentuckyipl.org). Kentucky IPL is a community of congregations, faith-based organizations, and individuals of faith responding to climate change as an ethical and moral issue, through advocacy, education, energy conservation, energy efficiency, stewardship, and the use and promotion of clean, renewable energy. Tune in and learn how Kentucky IPL has been working to mobilize a religious response to climate change and the social injustices it creates. As always, our feature is followed by your community action calendar for the week, so get your calendars out and get ready to take action for sustainability NOW! Sustainability Now! airs on FORward Radio, 106.5fm, WFMP-LP Louisville, every Monday at 6pm and repeats Tuesdays at 12am and 10am. Find us at http://forwardradio.org The music in this podcast is courtesy of the local band Appalatin and is used by permission. Explore their delightful music at http://appalatin.com

Eijun Linda Ruth Cutts Roshi, Senior Dharma Teacher Eijun Linda Cutts came to San Francisco Zen Center in 1971 and was ordained as a priest in 1975. She has lived at Tassajara and San Francisco City Center, and has resided at Green Gulch Farm since 1993. In 1996 Linda received dharma transmission from Tenshin Reb Anderson. Having served as Abbess of San Francisco Zen Center from 2000 to 2007, she was appointed Abiding Abbess of Green Gulch Farm Zen Center in 2010, and Central Abbess of SFZC in 2014. She continues to teach and lead practice periods and retreats at Tassajara, Green Gulch, Mexico, Italy and elsewhere, and has been leading Yoga-Zen retreats and workshops for many years. Linda sits on the National Board of Interfaith Power and Light (IPL), an interfaith group dedicated to addressing climate change through faith-based education and skillful action. She is also on the Board of the Consciousness, Mindfulness and Compassion (CMandC) International Association.

Sam and Derrick talk about Environmental Racism and the work of Interfaith Power and Light with Rev. Michael Malcolm    www.alabamaipl.org/   https://www.thepeoplesjusticecouncil.org/   www.patreon.com/foodandfaithpodcast

Keith Ward is a British philosopher, theologian, priest and scholar. He is a fellow of the British Academy and a priest of the Church of England. He was a canon of Christ Church, Oxford until 2003. Comparative theology and the relationship between science and religion are two of his main topics of interest. He was Regius Professor of Divinity at the University of Oxford from 1991 to 2004. Don't forget to check out some amazing free lectures of Keith. Literally quality, zesty, nerdy, and free lectures. Here's his previous podcast visits: Religion in the Modern World An Oxford Philosopher's Journey from Atheism to Idealism with Keith Ward Keith Ward talks about the Bible  The Christian Idea of God with Keith Ward  Keith Ward's Guide to Thinking God  What do theologians really think? This episode is sponsored by Interfaith Power and Light.  Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Kathy Sipple speaks with Dori Chandler & Blake Gardiner about their work with Hoosier Interfaith Power & Light. Hoosiers of faith working together to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency, as a response to climate change. Visit their website and follow them on social media to learn more about their advocacy work, workshops, and other programs to help faith communities make a difference in Indiana. https://hoosieripl.org/ Facebook Twitter  

Millions of people of faith are making the connection between the way we live and the looming environmental crisis. We know we need to change our dependence on fossil fuels and to use water more wisely, but the scale of the crisis is daunting, and the life habits that got us into this mess are deeply ingrained. Our guests today will show us what happens when we love God and God’s people enough to take a step toward life choices that honor God’s creation. Joelle Novey of Interfaith Power and Light will share how congregations of many faiths are responding constructively to climate change. In taking one faithful step after another, Brian Higgins and his family have created a beautiful, sustainable life. Their stories will inspire us all to more deeply connect our faith and money to the imperative of our time--to be faithful stewards of God’s creation

Are you down with AOC or Laudato Si? Guests Joelle Novey and Avery Davis Lamb of Interfaith Power & Light DMV discuss why we can read both the Pope's encyclical and the Green New Deal as moral documents. Plus, what stirs up "holy envy", who the Bible calls a "dirt person" (spoilers: everybody), and tools for opening a conversation about climate change in your faith community. Learn more about IPLDMV: https://ipldmv.org Read Laudato Si: https://laudatosi.com/

Ramesh Laungani and Sarah Myhre cover the overlap of the climate and extinction crises before inviting on Rev. Susan Hendershot and Rev. Brian Sauder of Interfaith Power and Light for a discussion around climate action across beliefs and worldviews. Finally, in unexpected science Sarah shares new research on how children influence their parents' thoughts on climate. LINKS!! - Interfaith Power and Light: https://www.interfaithpowerandlight.org/ - https://www.interfaithpowerandlight.org/about/staff-and-board-of-directors/ The IPBES "extinction" report - https://www.ipbes.net/news/ipbes-global-assessment-summary-policymakers-pdf The study on parents, their children and climate: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-019-0463-3 Don't forget to subscribe to Warm Regards on Medium - medium.com/@ourwarmregards/ on iTunes - itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/warm-…d1127571287?mt=2 Soundcloud - @warmregardspodcast Stitcher - www.stitcher.com/podcast/stephen-…cey/warm-regards Twitter - twitter.com/ourwarmregards and Facebook - www.facebook.com/WarmRegardsPodcast/ to keep up with all the news that, for now, is still changing faster than the climate.

While the environmental movement is typically associated with upper-class white folk, it is also a civil rights issue. Communities of color often live closest to factories and refineries that spew toxic pollution. That’s one reason why polls show more African Americans and Latinos expressing a serious concern over climate change than whites. So why do environmental movements lack diversity, and why has it been so difficult for nonprofits to reach communities of color? We talk to hip hop artist and activist, Mystic, civil rights hero Rev. Gerald Durley and civil rights lawyer, Ingrid Brostrom to learn more. Guests Ingrid Brostrom, Assistant Director, Center on Race, Poverty & the Environment Rev. Dr. Gerald Durley, Board Member, Interfaith Power and Light Mystic, Musician, Bay Area Coordinator, Hip Hop Caucus

In this weeks podcast, we sit down with Briana Baker, Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light's Southern MN Coordinator! We discuss her group's mission to create a just and sustainable world. She explains the possible job prospects, money saving and other benefits of going solar. For more information on MNIPL follow the link below. https://mnipl.org/ Listen to this episode on your favorite media player or our website by following the link below. smarturl.it/brianabaker

Weekly Witness with Susan Stephenson, Executive Director of Interfaith Power and Light talking about the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Report. 

Tim Darst is the Executive Director at Kentucky Interfaith Power and Light, an organization that’s mobilizing a religious response to climate change. They offer Creation Care Consulting to help churches choose the best options for getting started with conservation, efficiency and renewable energy. Tim had a comfortable career in accounting when he had a “lightbulb” moment that took him down a different path. I had a big epiphany when my youngest daughter and I were out playing golf, we were actually practicing golf one day, it was in the summer at a city park in Louisville and she made a really long putt, got really excited about it, started jumping up and down but then had trouble breathing. She couldn’t catch her breath and it went on and on where she was just gasping for air so I took her to the local emergency room and they put her on oxygen and I asked the nurse, “what’s going on” and she says, “well, it’s an ozone alert day” and you’re not supposed to be out in this. And it turns out that there are segments of our population that are more vulnerable to this and in the summer when we’re using a lot more air conditioning, we’re burning a lot more coal and natural gas than any other time of the year and when that combines with all the exhaust from our vehicles it creates ground level ozone. And that’s when I started realizing, okay this is a really serious issue and a lot of people are being impacted by this. So that really motivated me to make some changes. In this episode of Clean Power Planet we talk to Tim about how Kentucky Interfaith Power and Light helps churches get on board with the growing Creation Care movement.

The Awareness of Glory "Big Music" Sunday at UUSF! The Poulenc Gloria is one of the great choral works of the 20th century. It was commissioned for and first performed by the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in 1961. Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Kat Liu, Worship Associate Margaret Pearce, The Interfaith Power and Light Dr. Mark Sumner, choir director Mark Bruce, organist Wm. García Ganz, pianist Kate Offer, soprano Kathleen Quenneville, Moderator Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound & Worship Archives/Podcast

The Awareness of Glory "Big Music" Sunday at UUSF! The Poulenc Gloria is one of the great choral works of the 20th century. It was commissioned for and first performed by the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in 1961. Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Kat Liu, Worship Associate Margaret Pearce, The Interfaith Power and Light Dr. Mark Sumner, choir director Mark Bruce, organist Wm. García Ganz, pianist Kate Offer, soprano Kathleen Quenneville, Moderator Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound & Worship Archives/Podcast

Minnesota's community solar garden program may be the envy of the nation — once the utility's stall tactics have been stopped — but it needs a little help to fulfill the vision of bringing solar to all. That's where Julia Nerbonne, executive director of Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light, comes in. In June 2015, John Farrell talked to Nerbonne about opening up community solar for everyone -- not just for people with high credit scores -- and what people of faith can do about it. Community Solar Comes to Minnesota Community solar can mean a variety of things. In its pure form, it would be a solar array owned by a collection of people who share its economic benefits. In practice, it's usually a form of shared energy. “Subscribers” pay an upfront fee (often around $1,000), and receive a share of electricity production from the solar project every month over the next 20-25 years. That solar share produces power that is then credited on the subscriber's electric bill, saving the customer money each month. After about ten years (it varies by project), the subscription fee is paid off, and what remains on the subscription is pure energy savings to the subscriber. In Minnesota, the community solar garden market exploded after the first rules were released in 2014, with more than one gigawatt of power entered into the queue. If every project were built, it could triple the utility's expected solar power development by 2020. However, the incumbent electric utility, Xcel Energy, has stalled the program with several disputes over the rules and Minnesotans are still awaiting the first project installations. A Tool for All to Cut Their Electric Bill Community solar is more than just clean electric power. For faith communities, in particular, community solar symbolizes a nexus of economic justice and carbon mitigation. It's an enormous opportunity to get everyone involved in clean energy. “Low income, high income, doesn't matter,” says Nerbonne. “Everybody should have access to be able to start saving money on their electric bill.” Traditionally, community solar developers only targeted populations with good credit scores (above 700), cherry-picking those who are expected to make their payments. Nerbonne wants to challenge solar developers to use a pay-as-you-go process where anyone can participate, not where you have to be “accepted” or “declined.” Interfaith Power and Light and others have a couple ideas for how to make community solar accessible without significantly increasing financial risk for solar developers and their financiers. One is to pool subscribers, high and low income. Another option is to have a community backstop; for example, a church could guarantee the subscriptions of its members, agreeing to temporarily or permanently cover payments if a member fell on hard times.  Another model involves a loan loss reserve fund, tapped when a person defaults on their pay-as-you-go payments. The fund could come from community anchor institutions, places of worship, or philanthropic organizations. The key difference in Nerbonne's approach is to distinguish between charity and creating an economic system for people. This is not giving away solar; it's creating opportunity. Community Solar in Progress Already, Interfaith Power and Light is making progress. At the Shiloh Temple in Minneapolis, people from the community will be trained in to install the proposed community solar array. They plan to expand significantly. Nerbonne notes it's all part of a wider battle to fight climate change. With community solar gardens in mind, she describes her “three-legged stool” theory. One leg is practical change that people see and feel on the ground; another leg is the political process,

When Candler was founded a century ago, the world still seemed vast. New technologies seemed to offer a future of unlimited progress. Now we understand how the unintended consequences of our actions threaten the very systems that support life on this planet. Reflecting on the threats to the environment in biblical and theological terms offers insights into who we are, what our covenantal responsibilities are, and how we can ground hope even as we face an uncertain future. Speaker: Carol A. Newsom, Candler School of Theology, "Understanding and Hope in a Time of Climate Change: A Conversation with the Bible" Panelist: Sally G. Bingham, Interfaith Power and Light and the Regeneration Project, "Love God, Heal Earth" Panelist: Norman Wirzba, Duke Divinity School, "Why Theological Education Needs Ecological Wisdom" Moderator: Jonathan Strom, Candler School of Theology

Donate to The Permaculture Podcast Online: via PayPal Venmo: @permaculturepodcast My guest today is Bryce Ruddock, a permaculture practitioner and co-author, along with Wayne Weiseman and Daniel Halsey, of Integrated Forest Gardening. After speaking with Bryce and reading the book I find him to be a guru on creating functional plant guilds. We talk about that topic as well as how to discover ecological niches and system mimics so that we can adapt our designs to ever changing conditions, whether they arise from climate change, disease, or simply because a chipmunk or raccoon does not like a particular plant. In this interview I mention natural heritage programs. What I was refer to is a specific program that collects and provides information about important natural resources. These are in cooperation with the Nature Serve network covering Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. The Pennsylvania Heritage site was a go to reference I used repeatedly in my resources management program and is a useful resource for permaculture practitioners. The state specific site for me includes material on local plant communities, inventories at the county level of various plants and animals, species lists for the state, as well as ongoing projects and publications. It is worth looking for this kind of program in your area as the wealth of information is a great for your ongoing research when creating a design. A link to the PA site and NatureServe are in the show notes. That ongoing research and education is important because we can't take a Permaculture Design Course and think that is enough. Something one of my teachers imparted on me was that the PDC is just a beginning, our first step. From there we need to develop a niche based on our interests and passions, something David Holmgren recommended, to really know what it is we are doing, to have relevant experience, and be the experts in our areas of interest. In turn we can find people of like mind and take permaculture further. To be able to show examples that work anywhere in the world, and at the same time have the flexibility in our thoughts and a depth of understanding that we can answer questions truthfully. Be willing to say, “I don't know,” or, “I haven't done that before,” and a willingness to find a real solution. Something else Bryce mentioned was building resilience groups. Resilience groups, as presented at Resilience.org, are a way to build connections that coincide nicely with the transition movement. Resilience groups are a broad umbrella under which we can connect with other people on various topics including the transition movement, farm to school initiatives, and the efforts of Interfaith Power and Light. If you are in an area and considering starting a transition group or other organization to create a more bountiful world, definitely look to see if there are any resilience efforts underway in your area. Resources Integrated Forest Gardening Plant Guilds eBook Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program Nature Serve PermieKids I want to thank Jen Mendez at PermieKids.com for support of this podcast and her work on teaching permaculture to children. Two ways she does this are through her Education Design Course and EDGE Alliances. The Education Design Course (EDC) is a way that you can learn to map a learning landscape to reinvent and redesign what it means to learn, educate, and be educated with children. The next EDC begins on January 9th, 2015. The next EDGE Alliance is on Saturday January 10th from 12-1pm EST when Kelly Hogan of the Institute of Permaculture Education for Children (IPEC) returns to share how to integrate traditional permaculture learning into the lives of young children and adolescents. After that, on Sunday January 25th, from 8-9pm EST, Jen focuses on New Year's Resolutions, specifically the goals and actions we are taking to better care for ourselves, our families, our communities, and the earth. Find out more about the EDGE Alliances and Education Design Course at PermieKids.com. The Library Project A copy of Bryce's book is being included in the library project. If you haven't participated already, but would like to be a part of that sign up by sending an email to: librarian@thepermaculturepodcast.com Support the Podcast This show is listener supported and over ninety-percent of the income used to keep this show going comes from you, the listener. That includes all the normal basic costs you might expect like equipment and electricity, but also helps with postage for the Traveling Permaculture Library project. This show needs your help to continue growing and expanding. Find out how to make a one time or ongoing monthly contribution at: www.thepermaculturepodcast.com/support. Get In Touch E-mail: The Permaculture Podcast The Permaculture Podcast with Scott Mann The Permaculture Podcast Facebook: Facebook.com/ThePermaculturePodcast Twitter: @permaculturecst YouTube

Karin Page of After The Harvest talks about their efforts to avoid food waste and provide healthy food for those who struggle among us. Former EcoRadio KC host, Rabbi Moti […] The post After The Harvest and Kansas Interfaith Power and Light appeared first on KKFI.

Karin Page of After The Harvest talks about their efforts to avoid food waste and provide healthy food for those who struggle among us. Former EcoRadio KC host, Rabbi Moti […] The post After The Harvest and Kansas Interfaith Power and Light appeared first on KKFI.

Global Warming and its effects, in obscure collaboration with Interfaith Power & Light.

Global Warming and its effects, in obscure collaboration with Interfaith Power & Light.

Congregation Power Rabbi Yonatan Neril, Founder and Executive Director, Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development, Jerusalem Reverend Sally Bingham, Founder, Interfaith Power and Light Reverend Ng, First Chinese Baptist Church, San Francisco “As a priest, if I’m going to start talking about what humans are doing to the planet...I need scientific backing. I need to be in close communication with the scientific community or I have no business making those remarks,” said Rev. Canon Sally Bingham. Leaders from many religious traditions are acting as stewards of creation by powering their congregations with clean energy and encouraging smart policies in their communities. Leaders of this movement contend that all major religions have a mandate to care for creation. “Being at the top of creation we have a particular responsibility to treat it with respect,” Rabbi Yonatan Neril says. Religious leaders come together at Climate One to discuss how their faith impacts their approach to climate change and what they are doing about it. “Solar panels and solar energy is achievable,” Rev. Don Ng told us. Listen in to hear how communities of faith around the world are getting involved to build a more sustainable future. This program was recorded in front of a live audience at The Commonwealth Club of California in San Francisco on December 12, 2012

Is Your God Green? Reverend Sally Bingham, Interfaith Power and Light Senior Rabbi Stephen Pearce, Temple Emanu-El What would Jesus say about climate change? What does the Torah say about stewardship of God's creation? Leaders from different religious traditions discuss how their respective philosophies and scriptures guide their approach to today's energy challenges. They'll also address how congregations around the country are getting involved in the movement to build a cleaner energy future. This program was recorded in front of a live audience at the Commonwealth Club of California on March 23, 2010.

  Judy Hintz from Educational Resources  brings her expertise to help distressed kids.  Inspirational.   Andrew Snow  and Iowa global warming activist,   and  Tim Fink, director of  Interfaith Power and Light...support Obama's global warming policies.   Then,  for no particular reason.   Plus,   take the civics test.

From the Interfaith Power and Light Blog***************************************************There's plenty of news out there about growing divisions among evangelicals over the science and the action required to address global warming. Although this video is a bit light on information, the young Christians here actually give a good sense of the debate and reveal some emerging generational, authority, and messaging issues.Here's head of governmental affairs head for the National Association of Evangelicals Richard Cizik bringing his faith down to earth. Note: Interfaith Power and Light on that Sen. Boxer poster.Interfaith Power and Light is beginning to work more closely with committed evangelicals who care deeply for creation and understand the science. Have you had any conversations with global warming skeptics? What have you said that's helped create common moral ground or explain the science? Share your experience and ideas below for all our IPL folks.