UWF Speakers
Speakers at United Women In Faith's webinar on environmental justices will be Brenda Gullett, former legislator and Arkansas United Women in Faith Conference social action chair; Gayla Tillman, policy associate, Georgia Interfaith Power and Light; Ilka Vega, executive for Economic and Environmental Justice, United Women in Faith (speaker and moderator). (Images Courtesy of United Women in Faith)
A United Methodist Insight Column
United Women in Faith wants faith-based creation care activists to know how to make environmental justice a top priority for the electoral process.
UWF's September Just Energy for All webinar will feature three speakers with experience in putting climate concerns before local voters and candidates. This month's webinar "Bringing Environmental Justice and People Power into the Electoral Process," will take place Wednesday, Sept. 21, from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. ET. Click to Register for Just Energy for All Webinars
Speakers will be:
- Brenda Gullett, former legislator and Arkansas United Women in Faith Conference social action chair;
- Gayla Tillman, policy associate, Georgia Interfaith Power and Light;
- Ilka Vega, executive for Economic and Environmental Justice, United Women in Faith (speaker and moderator).
Free webinar to offer conflict counseling
From the United Metthodist Association of Retired Clergy:
How do we deal with seemingly irreconcilable divisions within our network of friends and family? Our culture provides enough cleavages and now our church is beset with conflict between long-time friends and cherished family. How do you help others in this predicament?
Register now for free Webinar Tuesday and get the benefit of expert pastoral counselors and caring leaders during 1-1/2 hour session Tuesday, Sept. 20, starting at 8 p.m. (ET). www.umarc.org
Local actions can make big differences
The Washington Post's Climate 202 newsletter reports: "For many Americans, climate change can feel like a vast and insurmountable problem. And individual actions to combat the crisis, such as buying an electric car, can seem like they will barely register on a planetary scale.
"A new book aims to counteract this mind-set and empower all Americans to become climate activists. In “The Big Fix: Seven Practical Steps to Save Our Planet,” energy expert Hal Harvey and journalist Justin Gillis argue that we can all become 'green citizens' and take grass-roots political actions that will make a difference for our climate."
Need a job? Go for a clean energy post
From climate scientists Katharine Hayhoe's newsletter:
Good News: "Worldwide, the number of people working in clean energy jobs surpassed those working in the fossil fuel sector for the first time ever, according to the International Energy Agency. Today, the clean energy sector represents 56 percent of all energy jobs around the world."
Not-so-good news: "Even if we limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, we may still reach four climate tipping points, including the collapse of the west Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets and the complete thawing of Arctic permafrost, a new study in Science found."
Dr. Hayhoe advocates becoming a "guerilla gardener" by planning greenery in the bare patches around your neighborhood. Be sure to ask permission if that bare patch belongs to your neighbors.
Echoes of a racist tactic
National Public Radio (NPR) brought forth a forgotten episode of the United States' history when it likened recent political tactics of sending undocumented migrants to northern cities, supposedly where they have more resources to help them.
The governors of Texas, Florida and now Arizona apparently don't hold with the Bible's many instructions to "welcome the stranger." According to NPR:
"The governor of Florida this past week paid to fly two planeloads of migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard the latest in a series of stunts by Republican governors that have ensnared migrants in a political fight over border security.
"... Something like this has happened before.
"It was 1962, and Southern segregationists were incensed about a group of Black and white activists the Freedom Riders who were crisscrossing the South by Greyhound to integrate the interstate bus system. The segregationists had become convinced the Riders only cared about embarrassing the South and securing Black votes for the Democratic Party."
Politics aside, Jesus was quite clear in Matthew 25 that his followers are to welcome strangers. Read Gabriel Emanuel's story on "reverse Freedom Rides" to get a broader perspective on what's happening with moving migrants to northern communities.
Media Mentions as of Sept. 19, 2022
Pastor strives to keep Methodists as one, set to speak in Fayetteville – The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette*
My heart breaks for Killearn United Methodist Church's congregation | Opinion –tallahassee.com
Willow View Church moves forward after disaffiliation vote | Local News - EnidNews.com
Let's Talk, a New Racial Unity Initiative, Takes Evangelical Leaders on Tour of Black History – ChurchLeaders
Cobb Interfaith Habitat Coalition dedicates 22nd annual home for family in Mableton – Yahoo News
Southern governors sending migrants north face a crisis of faith - Religion News Service
Little churches still matter, says Martha's Vineyard pastor of church that took in migrants – Religion News Service
Community organizations pack meals for ministry | News | indianagazette.com
Mt. Hope Methodist Church headed for auction block | Local News | gettysburgtimes.com
Church's ramp ministry helps those in need with recovery - Yahoo News
'A room full of Jesus': United Church of Tallahassee marks 30 years of LBGTQ affirmation • Tallahassee Democrat
U.S. groups protest Biden invitation to Marcos Jr. - Inquirer USA
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Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011. This column is part of Insight's participation in Covering Climate Now, a worldwide collaboration of some 500 international news outlets committed to enhanced coverage of the global climate crisis. To reproduce this content elsewhere, please email Insight for permission.