Sacred Season for Climate Justice

Holi, Vaisakhi, Ramadan, Passover, Holy Week and Easter, Vesak , Naw Ruz, Ridvan.

These religious holidays – which take place between 17 March and 6 May – attract billions of people.  The Equinox, Earth Day, and World Water Day, which also occur during this time, engage even more people.  The climate crisis means that diverse religious communities must share an urgent message during these sacred days: climate justice now!

You can share what you or your congregation is doing to address the climate crisis online with GreenFaith here at this link – or you can find a project already under way to join here: https://greenfaith.org/sacred-season/

Here are some resources from California Interfaith Power and Light: https://www.interfaithpower.org

Here are some ideas for Sermons: https://www.faithclimateactionweek.org

Here are some ideas for Prayers & Rituals: https://www.interfaithpower.org/prayers/

Climate Fact Sheet and other resources:

https://www.faithclimateactionweek.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Climate-Change-Fact-Sheet-FCAW-22.pdf

UMC Creation Care resources:

https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/articles/earth-day-2021-resources-for-creation-care

From the URI Climate Action Coordinator, Rev. Lauren Van Ham

Hello, URI Friends and Family!

For all of March, we have been celebrating WOMEN!  Thank you, Cooperation Circles, for sharing photos from your gatherings, and updates from your projects that honor women and increase gender equity around the world.

HEALTH, EDUCATING GIRLS & CLIMATE CHANGE

At URI, we understand human rights are integral to a peaceful world and a healthy planet.  One of the ways we are responding to the climate crisis is by promoting “Drawdown Solutions.”  One of these climate solutions that is very important to many of our CCs is “Educating Girls.” Please enjoy the information shared by CAMFED on THIS WEBSITE to find resources and become even more inspired!   CAMFED is a pan-African organization combating poverty, inequality, injustice, and the climate crisis through girls’ education and women’s leadership.

Faith for Earth YOUTH COALITION Forming – Youth for Survey, REQUESTED!

Many of us appreciated hearing, last month, about the Youth Coalition that will play a new and integrated role in the work happening with our partner, Faith for Earth.  CALLING ALL YOUTH: please share this survey link (https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6747383/Faith-and-Environment-Youth-Surv) with the young people in your CCs.  Their input is important and needed right now.  Thank you!

BEES and BATS, BIRDS and BUTTERFLIES – POLLINATORS, Galore!!!

And, remember, THIS Thursday (31^st March, 8am PDT) is Prayers & Praise for Pollinators!  This online gathering will explore the importance pollinators play in food security and keeping our eco-systems healthy and thriving.  Please join us by registering HERE.  And, please join me in celebrating ALL of the URI CC’s already focused on pollinator protection and beekeeping.  I have heard from several of you this month including URI CC Austria (thank you for providing Syrian refugees with beehives) and Albania’s “Udhetim i Lire – Liberi di Viaggiare” CC (thank for providing bees and education for Bulgarian farmers and youth) Thank you!

CLIMATE & POVERTY

Next month, members of Project Drawdown will be co-hosting a panel event that will explore how solutions for poverty are also connected to solutions for our climate.  “Can Solutions to the Climate Crisis Also Address Poverty?,” will happen on Friday, April 8, at 10 am ET. Register HERE for this event.

Do you have a video or Earth story you wish to share?

URI can feel proud that we have so many members who are deeply rooted in earth-based, traditional wisdom and who are willing to share their knowledge while inviting us to learn and grow stronger in our relationship with nature and Earth.  If you have a story to share, please let us hear from you!  Let’s BEE like pollinators and share our love and unity.

May you be well!  I send you joy and peace,

Lauren

—

Rev. Lauren Van Ham • Climate Action Coordinator

Pronouns: she/her

United Religions Initiative

email: lvanham@uri.org
mail: PO Box 29242, San Francisco CA 94129
www.uri.org

URI, the world’s largest grassroots interfaith network, cultivates peace and justice by engaging people to bridge religious and cultural differences and work together for the good of their communities and the world.