This movement needs you.

Today’s story is from Irene Woodard, GreenFaith’s Board Vice Chair, who lives in the Hudson Valley of New York State, USA. Give today to support GreenFaith. My name is Irene Woodard, and I’m a Shambhala Buddhist living on Lenape Lands, also known as New York’s Hudson Valley. Years ago, I was the first Buddhist GreenFaith Fellow, and I helped launch the Touching the Earth Collective, a climate group in my global Buddhist community. Protecting the Earth and all living beings is very important to me. I want to tell you about how GreenFaith is helping people of different religions get out of the pews, off their meditation cushions, and bring their moral power into the public sphere. In August, GreenFaith needed to pilot-test a public targeting of national banks known for funding fossil fuels. One of our original GreenFaith Circles in Boulder, Colorado said yes. With support from GreenFaith, they jumped into action.   First, they prepared for the public action with an art build, where local faith communities gathered together and created large colorful banners and signs to make their demands big and bold. The Circle members targeted two banks that are pouring enormous sums into oil and gas projects: Chase and Wells-Fargo. With the help of a team of artist-activists sent by GreenFaith to help, they organized a traveling, multi-faith vigil, where faith leaders from multiple religious communities would make offerings from their traditions. Their beautiful signs made their message crystal clear. Their community was so energized that they decided to hold a second vigil again in October, as part of GreenFaith’s global Faiths 4 Climate Justice mobilization! The vigil received press coverage, and I’ve seen the Circle become more confident in taking public action. This is why local organizing is so valuable - it helps us accomplish bigger things than we can on our own. [Name], this movement needs you. Will you support GreenFaith with your year-end gift today? With Gratitude and Peace, Irene Woodard GreenFaith Vice Chair