Michigan Interfaith Climate Change Campaign 2002

Interfaith Blessing of Solar Panels in Wyandotte, MI

The Michigan Interfaith Climate Change Campaign 2002
…the work presses on

This initiative had its official beginning in June 1999 at a conference / training event attended by 70 concerned individuals from 19 different faith communities. They formed the beginning of a network of religious activists in Michigan who have been raising awareness of the religious, moral, and justice implications of climate change caused by human-accelerated global warming. Since that time, information on global warming and on energy efficiency has been provided to hundreds of congregations and many synagogues. Letters have been written to the President and to members of Congress. The passion and commitment of those in the religious community active on this issue has grown. Michigan was the second of what are now 21 state interfaith campaigns linked together in a network of "eco-prophets" dedicated to bringing a new focus and imperative to the discussion and action to counter global warming.

Work of the Michigan campaign in 2001

• over 300 congregations provided with information on climate change and energy efficiency steps for individuals and religious institutions
• assistance provided to congregations (15) to facilitate a free energy audit and report on possible energy and cost-saving steps
  
• at least 150 letters were written by individuals in the state network to such policy-makers as President Bush, Senators Levin and Stabenow, the 16 MI U.S. Representatives, EPA Administrator Christy Whitman, Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham, and various State legislators
  
• testimony was provided at the EPA public hearing in Cincinnati in July 2000, in regard to the New Source Review rules
  
• at least 19 different members of the religious community made 24 visits combined to both MI Senators and 10 members of Congress, both on Capitol Hill and in district offices, to present our concerns over global warming and the need for U.S. participation in international negotiations and domestic action on a clean energy policy
  
• at least 10 Letters to the Editor of various state newspapers were published by religious activists on global warming, energy policy, and protection of ANWR
  
• a press conference June 10 highlighted efforts within the Michigan religious community to make our own facilities more energy efficient and marked the release of a statement by 38 senior leaders from diverse faith communities calling for a national policy emphasis on clean and renewable energy
  

Planned efforts in 2002

In 2002, the leaders of the Michigan campaign will coordinate the building of a state network of religious activists and senior religious leaders who will be able to join with others around the country to respond quickly to energy-related legislative issues and national policy. We believe we are following God’s call to care for the Earth, and we plan to passionately communicate the moral urgency of addressing global warming to the President, members of Congress, and the media.

Wyandotte, MI (June 10, 2001)— In perhaps the first such gathering of its kind, about seventy members of various faith traditions joined in a responsive prayer of blessing for the solar panels and a small windmill recently installed on the roof of the rectory of St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church, as parish priest Rev. Charles Morris sprinkled the renewable energy devices with holy water.

Members of the Michigan Interfaith Global Warming Campaign helped organize the special celebration, which also featured a short press conference and the release of a timely statement, "Let There Be Light! Energy Conservation and God’s Creation," signed by 36 religious leaders of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim congregations and communities in Michigan.

"The Judaic teachings are very clear : God’s covenant is with all of creation, from generation to generation. Humans are to carefully steward the Earth and its resources in ways that do not bring harm to our world. Moving towards a cleaner, more efficient energy policy and working to counter global warming is the way of faithful stewardship," said Rabbi Marla Feldman, President of the Jewish Community Council of Metro Detroit, and a signatory to the Michigan leaders’ statement.

During the press conference, Sister Virginia Pfau, President of the Sister Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary community in Monroe, told of steps taken by the Sisters to incorporate the use of geothermal energy in one of their large buildings.

"This event today exemplifies our message and our work," said Kim Winchell, a Lutheran and the state coordinator of Michigan’s interfaith campaign, which began in 1999. "We of various faith traditions are united in our concern about the effects of global warming; we are encouraging actions within our own communities to use energy in the most responsible and faithful way; and we are urging our nation’s leadership to develop a national energy policy which does not increase the problem of global warming by relying too heavily on fossil fuel use and development."

The leaders’ statement describes energy conservation as both a personal and a public virtue, and it stresses the justice aspects of this global problem and points to the "moral responsibility" of the United States "to lead a transition to new and sustainable global energy use." The statement will be sent to President Bush, Energy Secretary Abraham, and other elected officials. Organizers of today’s gathering hoped that Rep. David Bonior, the only member of the Michigan Congressional delegation able to attend, would personally take word of the event and its message back to Washington.

"Today, we the people of faith are dreaming a new dream of the Earth," said Rev. Charles Morris. "In this moment of crisis and opportunity, may we and our government’s leaders have the vision to choose the path to a more sustainable and creation-healing energy future. Today, we recommit ourselves to the legacy we leave our children and our children’s children, to the seventh generation."

Read the Blessing for the solar panels and the wind power

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