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Earth Care Commission
 
Sedona & Oak Creek Red Mountain & Salt River
Purpose Statement
As delegates of our respective Christian communions who believe that we are called by God to heal, defend, and care for the earth, we pledge ourselves as stakeholders in the quest for eco-justice to:
Pray for the earth and all her creatures
Gather and Disseminate information regarding eco-justice and environmental committees and agencies of all Christ churches and denominations
Educate our respective communions and the community-at-large concerning the gravity of environmental isues and the promise of spiritual, sociaological, and technological solutions to those problems.
Promote action on eco-justice by acting as a catlyst for change through the processes of the Arizona Ecumenical Council and by providing opportunities for our members to experience Christian unity while caring for creation.
The primary events which the Commission presently sponsors are:
Caring for Creation Conferences
Earth Day Celebrations--held in various locations each year
The Feast--an autumn festival of stories and food to celebrate the goodness of the earth. Check back for details.
Sonoran Desert Protection statement
Arizona Ecumenical Council
Earth Care Commission
Special Announcements for September 2009
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 Interfaith Power and Light
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Rev. Sally Bingham,
Founder of Interfaith Power and Light
(More about Rev. Bingham here)
October 15, 2009
1 to 4 PM - tours of houses of worship
that are green and energy efficient
6:30 PM - Dinner
with keynote speech by Rev. Bingham
Temple Emanuel
5801 S Rural Rd
Tempe, AZ 85283-2901
Religious leaders from around the state
are invited to spend the day with us.
(More information will follow regarding this event.)
Prior to her visit, we are asking for houses of worship that are green and energy efficient to please contact us with your information. We will pick places to tour based on this information along with creating a powerpoint presentation with pictures and stories to share at the dinner. Short stories about your green programs, before and after photos, work-in-progress photos, "green" worship services, short film clips and more will be incorporated into the program.
Please send this information to
Doug Bland at doug.bland@tempeccc.com.
If you would like to speak with Rev. Bland about this program, please contact him at 480-967-5266.
The leadership of Arizona IPL is currently working on further meetings, programs and more ways to connect and work on the issues. Watch for announcements at their newly launched website: http://azipl.org!
NEW INFORMATION on how congregants and congregations can measure then reduce their carbon footprint!
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NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES OF CHRIST, ECO-JUSTICE PROGRAMS
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"Justice for God's Plant and God's People"  http://nccecojustice.org
The Eco-Justice Program office of the National Council of Churches works in cooperation with the NCC Eco-Justice Working Group to provide an opportunity for the national bodies of member Protestant and Orthodox denominations to work together to protect and restore God's Creation. Eco-justice includes all ministries designed to heal and defend creation, working to assure justice for all of creation and the human beings who live in it. A major task of the Working Group is to provide program ideas and resources to help congregations as they engage in eco-justice. Please go to their website to learn more about what they do and the great resources they offer.
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WWW.350.ORG NEEDS YOUR CONGREGATION TO SPEAK UP!
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 On October 24, 350 church bells will ring, 350 prayers for the earth will be collected, 350 letters will be sent to the Senate, 350 children will form the number 350 on the playground and be photographed from a 350 foot crane.... As you can tell, the focus is on the number 350---as in parts per million, the level scientists have identified as the safe upper limit for C02 in our atmosphere. But 350 is more than a number---it's a symbol of where we need to head as a planet.
350.org is an international campaign dedicated to building a movement to unite the world around solutions to the climate crisis---the solutions that science and justice demand. The mission of 350.org is to inspire the world to rise to the challenge of the climate crisis---to create a new sense of urgency and of possibility for our planet.
The newly established Arizona Interfaith Power and Light will be baking 350 cookies in solar ovens, collecting 350 prayers for the earth, and sending 350 postcards to McCain and Kyle on climate legislation, and distributing 350 cfl's to low income households in south Phoenix.
If you are involved with a church, school, organization or other group that is going to participate in 350.org, please let us know what you are doing. We want to network to help publicize events in Arizona.
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SONORAN DESERT PROTECTION
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We are seeking signatures from clergy and congregations for "Sonoran Desert Protection: A Call to Action to Protect God's Creation." In part, the letter affirms: "We the undersigned believe that lands, wilderness, and open spaces have always been central to the Judeo-Christian tradition, playing a vital role in the spiritual journeys of Biblical peoples. Lands are also an essential part of God's creation. Through them, God nourishes life; provides the foundation of terrestrial ecosystems and human communities; supplies blessings of sustenance like soil, water, timber and minerals; and offers natural space for prayer and spiritual renewal. ... We who live in the desert know its sacred beauty. But many of these lands are endangered by human negligence and abuse. As fellow followers of Christ, we hope you will be willing to join us in this effort to preserve and protect the Sonoran desert, our home."
Our purpose is to build a coalition of churches that affirm an essential, faith-based value for and stewardship of the land. Down the road, when land preservation legislation is pending, we will send this letter to targeted legislators to let them know that people of faith care about the Sonoran Desert. We will also be able to write to churches to say, "You said that you care about the land. Now is your chance to show your care by writing to your legislators, doing a clean-up of the land, taking your folks out for a Lenten retreat to desert places, etc.."
If you want to sign on to this letter, please contact doug.bland@tempeccc.com
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| Opening the Book of Nature |
We have some helpful curriculum to recommend to you on Christian faith, land and wilderness from the National Council of Churches Eco-justice Office. "Opening the Book of Nature" was produced here in Arizona by the Earth Care Commission of the Arizona Ecumenical Council.
Check out:
http://nccecojustice.org/resources/index.php#landandwildernessresources
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SPIRIT IN THE DESERT DISCOUNT RATES AVAILABLE NOW
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Helping Each Other
Like most of you, Spirit in the Desert is feeling the economic pinch and we have decided that we will deal with the challenge in the spirit of God's abundance. Understandably many congregations and other organizations are being very cautious with their resources and in some cases are choosing to hold off on retreats and other gatherings. This of course has an impact on our ministry. As we have all realized by now, the ripple effect of the economy is quite extensive.
It is in the spirit of God's abundance that we have decided to offer some fabulous deals. We are doing this for two reasons - we need more revenue ... plain and simple and you need a break; a respite; a time away. The realities of this economy can be disheartening and Spirit in the Desert is the place you can come to be rejuvenated in God's abundance. Weekdays -15% discounts on lodging & 50% on meeting rooms! Weekends - 10% & 30%
Remember we love to host: Women's, Men's, Choir retreats, Staff retreats, Youth gatherings, Family Reunions, Receptions, Holiday gatherings, Business meetings, Weddings, Confirmation parties, Holiday family overflow and much more!
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H1N1 Flu 2009 - Be Ready
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One of the best ways to get ready is to become knowledgeable of what risks you and your family may face. There are useful ways to manage these potential challenges.
Remember, we can all work to stop the spread of disease!
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Dispose of used tissues. Cover your cough! Stay home if you are ill.
The following website is the Maricopa County Public Health Department. They have a variety of resources, including printable signs, brochures and other documents for home, school, work and other locations. http://www.maricopa.gov/public_health/hottopics/h1n1flu/ |
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS TRAINING ON-LINE
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Church World Service began in response to an emergency.
Americans from different Christian traditions founded Church World Service to feed post-war Europe in 1946. Today, that union has expanded and continues in southeastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Americas. Church World Service provides sustainable self-help and development assistance, disaster relief and refugee assistance around the world with support from 35 U.S.-based, Christian denominations and others interested in helping a hurting world.
In the past 30 years alone, as neighbors have reached out to neighbors around the world, the percentage of people living in absolute poverty in the developing world has been cut in half, and the literacy rate has more than doubled, from 35 percent to 77 percent. Church World Service is part of this worldwide effort with the support and generosity of individuals, families and communities who wish to make a difference.
With more than 60 years of experience, Church World Service provides free, online training to people who care about their communities and want to see everyone recover from disaster. Each Webinar is 2 p.m to 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time on the first Tuesday of each month starting September 1.
Sign up at www.cwserp.org
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Educational Opportunities
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Please check out our website at www.aecunity.net to find a wide range of educational opportunities and events. On the top bar, just click Conferences and Events and scroll through the possibilities. The final category is Other classes, seminars, conferences and more. These are events organized by friends of the AEC that are ecumenical in scope. Check these out on a regular basis to find the opportunities you are looking for.
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Preaching and Teaching
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The Executive Director of the Arizona Ecumenical Council, Rev. Jan Olav Flaaten, is available to preach at your church or to teach a Sunday Adult Forum or weekday class. For Sunday preaching he uses the assigned readings from the Revised Common Lectionary (a wonderfully ecumenical tool) as the basis for his sermons, but will also include the ecumenical task as part of that message. In the context of teaching at an Adult Forum he is knowledgeable in a variety of theological and social justice issues. Call the AEC office for scheduling, 602-468-3818.
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Check out our website!
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Check out our website - www.aecunity.net - for more news, information and opportunities for education, volunteerism and more. In the lefthand column, under "Upcoming Events" you will find current opportunities along with important information on various issues.
Send article and calendar requests to Lita Johnson at aec@aecunity.net.
Our new fax number is 602-314-7950.
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Sincerely,
Rev. Jan Olav Flaaten
Executive Director, Arizona Ecumenical Council
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