The One Earth Film Fest (first weekend of March), in its closing event at Unity Temple, showed a powerful movie, The Wisdom to Survive. The film features thought leaders and activists in the realms of science, economics and spirituality discussing how we can evolve and take action in the face of climate disruption.
The quote that stuck with me was by Joanna Macy: “If you want an adventure, boy, what a time to be alive!” We live in a time of a major change in civilization as we move from a carbon economy to one that is finding a less destructive relationship to nature.
It becomes clear to me that things are changing when I look at awareness and changes taking place in our faith institutions, typically a conserving dynamic in society.
Examples include the much-anticipated encyclical on climate change from Pope Francis. Through this communication, he will provide spiritual guidance to the world’s 1.1 billion Catholics. The Pope is timing the letter to influence this year’s crucial climate treaty talks in Paris. The transformational step may well be a massive mobilization of public opinion by the Vatican and other religions for collective action to safeguard the well-being of both humanity and the environment.
Another example is statements made by Katherine Jefferts Schori, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States, who has stated that to deny climate change based on “political interests” or “willful blindness is sinful.” It’s decidedly wrong to use resources that have been given into our collective care in ways that diminish the ability of others to share in abundant life.
My own Methodist Bishop, Rev. Sally Dycks, has published a book titled, A Hopeful Earth, in which she concludes, “We call on communities of faith to come together in small groups and as congregations to support and encourage one another as they do no harm, do good and stay in love with God in regard to caring for the Earth.”
In order to renew the commitment of area faith communities to be custodians of creation, Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church along with Faith in Place, the Interfaith Green Network, and the Office of Peace and Justice for the Archdiocese of Chicago, are sponsoring a different kind of revival, an Earth Revival, May 1 and 2.
Friday night’s guest speaker, Rev. Otis Moss III, senior pastor at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, and an exceptional prophetic preacher, will be present to launch the revival.
Saturday afternoon a series of workshops will be offered for congregations and individuals to help reduce our carbon footprints.
All events are free and open to the public. More information and registration is available at www.euclidavenueumc.org
Richard Alton is an Oak Park resident and member of Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church.