New Beginnings

Written by Jessica Zimmerle

Outreach Coordinator for Earth Ministry 

Dear friends,


Change is an inevitable reality of life.  Although it is embedded in every second of our existence, acceptance of this reality is a challenge that many of us struggle with.  Whether it be letting go of the past, adjusting to a new routine, or working towards positive change in our world; dealing with change is no small task.

Does change have to be a monster breathing down our back? Or can we reconstrue it as a blessing in itself?  Let's take a minute to imagine life without change.  We would go through the movements of a monotonous daily routine, work and socialize with the same people, and stay in familiar places.  Our communities would lack any environmental, social, political, or technological progress.  Life would be stagnant. 

If this was the case we would all be craving change like chocolate.  The truth is that, no matter how daunting it may be, we need change.  It fuels our lives by introducing a spark of adventure into all that we do.  A helpful reminder is that "every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end" (as so gracefully stated in the classic 90's song "Closing Time").  A refreshing oppurtunity for new beginnings is only possible through change and letting go of what once was the norm. 

Earth Ministry does a fantastic job of embodying the cyclical nature of change.  As you many know, our Outreach Coordinator position is staffed by a yearlong member of the Lutheran Volunteer Corps.  I am thrilled to step into this role and join the Earth Ministry team to work for faith-based environmental change in our region.  Our current campaigns to halt coal exportation, regulate toxins in children's products, and protect public lands are the types of change that our planet and communities desperately need.  This type of large-scale change is daunting, yet it is an important component of our calling to work for justice and responsible stewardship of the natural world.

Viewing change as a gift is something that I am working to embrace in this time of transition in my own life.  I am a recent graduate of Pacific Lutheran University where I received a degree in environmental studies.  My time at PLU really helped me develop a sense of vocation and foster my passion for environmental activism.  I must admit it is difficult to come to terms with the fact that I actually graduated and am not returning, but this is a prime example of the essence of change.  It is time to move on to my own new beginning.

So let's take a moment to praise the Lord for all of the beautiful changes that color our lives.  No matter how challenging change may be, life would be pretty dull without it!

Here's to new beginnings!

~ Jessica

Connecting Kids with God's Creation

Your kids are out of school for the summer. What to do? What to do?

Get them outside and teach them about God's beautiful creation - Nature! 

Don't let this time of beautiful weather and lack of homework go to waste indoors. There's no better time than now. 

For ideas on how to make the most of this season with your kids and keep it environmentally-friendly, check out some of our past blog posts:
Summer Fun!
Ask Deanna: Field Games for Kids
Choose Reusable...or at least Compostable

Or get your hands on one of the resources below. Many of these are suggested books and curricula for children and youth on Earth Ministry's website, but some are new.

Connect with your kids and God in nature this year and have a blessed summer!

Sabbath-Keeping and Creation Care

In a couple of weeks, Earth Ministry will be releasing the summer issue of Earth Letter, our quarterly mini-journal and newsletter. The theme for this summer is Sabbath -- how our Sabbath-keeping behaviors can care for God's creation.

Earth Letter is a benefit of membership in Earth Ministry. Join today to receive the summer issue on Sabbath and three more issues featuring faith-based writing on environmental issues and to keep up with the Goings-On of Earth Ministry.

The summer issue on Sabbath features the following articles:

• "Finding your 24/6 Rhythm in a 24/7 World" by Matthew Sleeth, MD,

• "Give the Earth a Sabbath Day" by Christopher D. Ringwald

• "The Sabbath Effect" by Rebekah Simon-Peter

• "Connecting the Jewish Sabbath to the Environment" by Baruch Sienna

Did you like what you read in Earth Letter? Check out these books written by our featured authors:
The Natural Bible by Baruch Sienna

Passing 400

By Rachel Haxtema, Guest Blogger

Many of us heard the news in the past few weeks that the concentration of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere is now over 400 ppm, an unprecedented level that will mean rising temperatures and other climate disruption.

Before we started burning fossil fuels in the 18th century, our atmosphere had a concentration of about 275 ppm. The concentration climbed steeply, hitting 350 ppm just before the year 2000. Scientists have suggested that 350 ppm is the most carbon dioxide that our atmosphere could handle before causing serious climate change. As Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org said, We’ve known for a long time that we’d pass the 400ppm mark; the trouble is, we’re passing it without any real national or international effort to slow down the production of CO2. So it’s an entirely grim landmark... Before we can get back to 350 we actually have to stop increasing carbon concentrations. That’s a political task; it’s why we’re trying to build a movement strong enough to stand up to the fossil fuel industry.”

I was able to hear Bill McKibben speak recently in Seattle at Queen Anne United Methodist Church – he's been a hero of mine over the last several years as he has fought tirelessly against climate change. Each time I hear him speak about the 350.org movement and story, I'm reminded of the global impact of climate change. The most heart-wrenching image he showed was of children in a flooded street in Haiti holding signs that read, “Your actions affect me.” Children in low-lying nations around the world are going to be affected most by the burning of fossil fuels, driving of cars, and excessive waste in wealthy nations – they will bear the brunt of rising temperatures, flooding, pollution of water sources and reduced food security. We know that Haiti is already a struggling nation and climate will only deepen the poverty and cause additional sickness and suffering. This is truly devastating.

We must see ourselves part of the interconnected web of all life and see how our actions are affecting others. Unfortunately, it is just too easy to ignore the climate warnings and the news of increasing concentrations of CO2. 

Photograph by Jonathan Kingston, National Geographic

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/energy/2013/05/130510-earth-co2-milestone-400-ppm/

Another speaker in the Food, Faith and Climate series at Queen Anne UMC, Dr. John Wallace, an atmospheric scientist and person of faith, spoke about the science of climate change. He reminded us about how many scientists agree about human caused climate change and described how ice core samples have been used to confirm the concentrations in the atmosphere for the past several thousand years. He also talked about the extreme difficulty of the moral dilemmas we face: limits to individual freedom, national autonomy, obligations to the poor and future generations. The biggest climate changes are far off and current impacts are subtle but the stakes are so high. Dr. Wallace believes that because these changes seem distant and don't seem to impact us, it will be important to look at all aspects of earth care; food and water issues may be more tangible and inspire more participation.

Barbara Kingsolver's recent book, Flight Behavior, a novel about a community affected by a mysterious event, realistically imagines how climate might affect us. Kingsolver is a great writer who tells a present day parable that links the science of climate change with real people - from farmers in Appalachia to tour guides in Mexico and everyone in between. Kingsolver is an amazing writer and imaginatively captures the potential for our communities to see real changes and disruptions and understand the ways that their community is part of a global phenomenon.

The only good news is that the movement is growing and more and more people are recognizing the connections between our burning of fossil fuels and intensified storms, ocean acidification and decreasing crop yields. From Earth Ministry fighting coal exports in Washington to ranchers and indigenous activists fighting tar sands and the Keystone XL, people are taking action in one of the wealthiest and most polluting nations.

And there is so much more work to do: political, social, educational, building movements, writing and creating art that broadens our understanding and inspires action. We need everyone’s gifts, stories, skills and work! I'm personally excited that scientists, writers and so many others are finding new ways to share about climate and its effects. What authors, scientists, climate news or stories have you heard recently that helped you further understand the reality of 400 ppm? 

--
Rachel Haxtema has recently returned home to the beautiful green Pacific Northwest from Oakland, California where she worked for The Sierra Club and California Interfaith Power & Light and studied at the Graduate Theological Union and San Francisco Theological Seminary.