Climate change and peace seem to be as far as east is from west, but if we face Mother Earth faithfully, peace is exactly what we will have. In the fourth chapter of Philippians, followers of Christ are admonished to respect women and to shepherd their thoughts in a way that produces communal harmony. As I prepare for the People’s Climate Change March in NYC, Sept. 21st, I’m shepherding my thoughts into tomorrow…
I envision that as director of the Joseph Campaign, I share daily devotions with urbanites and suburbanites who are caring for farms, food forests, rain gardens and teaching gardens in schools, parks and convenience stores. During a recent pastor’s summit we completed plans for each congregation to re-engage it’s immediate square mile in abundant, nourishing food and fresh water for everyone. As we tend the earth, we discuss more cooperative ways to care for one another. Congregations are enthusiastic in preparing for climate change because they see abundant living at the end of the tunnel.
Our workshops have developed competence and a sense of calm as people discuss the possibilities of extreme weather events. Gone is the paralyzing fear surrounding potential floods/electrical outages because neighbors know one another AND the trained first responders in their local church, mosque or temple. Each family knows who will care for them if calamity strikes. We are sharing our likes and dislikes of the increasing number of wholistic practitioners operating in each neighborhood and I particularly look forward to the upcoming alternative health session.
My neighborhood association is enthusiastically inviting a city council member to a planning session which ensures that zoning policies protect our sustainability practices. Public resources maintain native plant gardens and rainwater cisterns for all of the public; and teen eco-preneurs interact with elderly residents in mutually beneficial ways. When we gather at the chai bar to discuss the weather, eco-friendly solutions replace the ominous warnings of doom.
…I’d love to hear what your day would include…please share!