Web of Creation

Jan

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February 2007

February 10
Sustainable Choices for Creation Care
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Peace Community Center, 2106 S. Cushman Ave., Tacoma, WA

Please join Earth Ministry and the Olympia Presbytery Peace and Justice Action Group at "Sustainable Choices for Creation Care this rare South Sound opportunity to explore sustainability issues with other people of faith, and walk away with an action plan to make a difference. All clergy, lay leaders, and interested people of faith are encouraged to attend! The workshop focuses on action, equipping and empowering each attendee with the knowledge and tools to get started right away to make a difference in their church community.

The Keynote Speaker will be Dr. Brian Naasz, PLU professor and Earth Ministry board member. Brian will highlight key sustainability issues; address the theological call for environmental sustainability as a justice issue; and review the strategies, actions and resources laid out in Earth Ministry’s “Greening Congregations Handbook” that each attending church will receive. Also, Northwest Earth Institute will present their thoughtful, engaging and provocative series of discussions courses available to groups and churches, and information tables representing a variety of local resources will be available for perusal during lunch.

Cost $20; includes lunch and materials. Scholarships available. For more information and to register, email peaceandjustice@olypres.org or call the Olympia Presbytery Office at 253-588-5204.

February 12
Chicago Promise Launch
11:30 am- 12:45 pm
Free and open to the public
Rockefeller Memorial Chapel, University of Chicago
5850 S. Woodlawn Ave. Chicago, IL
Presenters: Professor Jeffrey Sachs and Jeffrey Klug
A new city-wide grassroots effort to raise money for a village in Kenya and raise awareness about extreme poverty.

February 18
Interfaith Service: How do we as people of faith protect our earth for future generations?
4:00 - 5:30 pm
Nichiren Buddhist Temple of Oregon, 2031 SE Yamhill, Portland, OR

This series of services is being sponsored by Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, The Interfaith Alliance-NW Oregon and the Interfaith Council of Greater Portland. These services will provide participants with the opportunity to worship with people of different faiths in churches, temples, mosques and synagogues. The topics will be moral issues we are facing as people of faith.

February 15
Nirvana Day (Buddhist)

February 16
Maha Shivaratri (Hindu)

February 20
Shrove Tuesday (Christian)

February 21
Ash Wednesday (Christian)

February 24
Turning Values into Political Messages: Finding a Common Vision
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Suquamish United Church of Christ, 18732 Division Ave. NE, Suquamish, WA

Professors David Domke & Crispin Thurlow of the University of Washington, Department of Communication, will lead a workshop to identify common values that unite progressives, create resonant communications to translate these values into powerful, engaging language, demonstrate how personalization and metaphors work in political debate, and examine why “message strategies” are essential in today’s media culture.

We need skills to translate our core values and highest ideals into powerful, engaging language. Articulating a clear vision is especially important in joining diverse interest groups into a cohesive movement for change. The time has come to commit to creating the change we wish to see in the world. We must develop and then promote a compelling message of compassion and respect for one another and for the natural world — and do so together.

Cost: $35/individual, $60/couple. Limited scholarships available for those with financial need. Register Now: http://articulationinaction.eventbrite.com/ or contact: Joanna at joannagarritano@yahoo.com or Tom at 360-990-5649.

February 25
Orthodoxy Sunday (Orthodox Christian)

February 26-March 1
Ayyam-i-Ha (Baha'i)

February 26
Interfaith Advocacy Day on Energy and Climate Stewardship
9:00 am – 4:00 pm (registration at 8:30 am)
First United Methodist Church, 600 State St., Salem, OR

Your congregation or faith-based organization is invited to play an active role in bringing a moral voice to energy and global warming policy issues. The 2007 Oregon Legislature will present outstanding opportunities to move forward on making Oregon a leader in clean energy and in addressing global warming. An excellent program is prepared for you to help you live your values into action for the future of Creation. Throughout the day, there will be reflections and prayer, a Keynote speech from David Van’t Hof, Sustainability Adviser to Governor Ted Kulongoski on “Clean Energy, Climate Change and Oregon’s Future,” a legislative panel, workshops on how to be an effective advocate when visiting with legislators and key energy and climate stewardship bills, opportunities to meet with your elected representatives, and a session on next steps to be taken. The day is sponsored by Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon’s Oregon Interfaith Power and Light and Oregon Interfaith Global Warming Campaign in partnership with congregations and organizations.

Cost: Before February 10: $15.00. After February 10: $20.00. Includes lunch and materials. Make checks payable to EMO/OIPL and send to 0245 SW Bancroft, Suite B, Portland, OR 97239. To register, visit http://www.emoregon.org/pdfs/2007_IECS_Advocacy_Day_registration.pdf. For more information, call (503) 221-1054.

February 27
Faith Advocacy Day
8:30 am – 3:00 pm
Starts at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 1515 Harrison Ave NW,Olympia

Join people of all faiths and their friends at Faith Advocacy Day, hosted by the Lutheran Public Policy Office of Washington State. This is an opportunity to join other people of faith who will be speaking up on a range of social justice issues from homelessness and housing, to tax fairness and living wage, to healthcare, hunger, and the environment. This is an opportunity to exercise your voice in the State Capitol, learn about the legislative process, and how to become effective faith advocates in the political arena. Participants will join others in worship, learn about key bills addressing a variety of social justice issues, hear from Keynote Speaker Bishop Robert D. Hofstad of SW Washington Synod, and receive training on how to lobby legislators. People will then have an opportunity to meet with their elected officials and attend a committee hearing.

A $15 registration fee includes advocacy toolkit and lunch. Checks can be made out to Lutheran Public Policy Office, and the registration fee can be paid the day of Advocacy Day. Contact David Coombs (davidrcooms@gmail.com) or Nick Barootian (nick.barootian@gmail.com) at the Lutheran Public Policy Office for more information: (206) 464-4133.