Your Winter Edition of Earth News

EARTH: Earth Action, Reflection, Theology and Hope Practices for Earth Keeping Refocusing Our Lifestyles to be in Communion with the Earth "Our steps are made firm by the Lord when he delights in our way; though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, for the Lord holds us by the hand." Psalm 37: 23-24 "Think globally, act locally" is a common phrase in the environmental movement. With so much political opposition to countering climate change, acting locally is sometimes the only way I maintain my sanity. It's not always an easy task. I get lazy and drive my car when I could take my bike. I recycle, but I could make a better effort to buy products that come in refillable bottles, or in glass containers instead of plastic. I see an interesting PEC webinar, but decide to watch Netflix instead. There are so many little things I could be doing for the environment but don't. We need to remind ourselves that none of us is a perfect environmentalist, just like none of us is a perfect Christian. (As if one even exists!). We must continue to strive and sometimes fail, and strive again. Mother Earth is counting on us. In this issue of Earth News, we offer inspiration for small and big ways we can refocus our lifestyles to be gentler to the earth, and inspire change in others. In faith and hope, Eric Diekhans Editor Joy, Justice, and Yoga A new faith community gathers in the Heartland to embrace justice and healing for creation. READ MORE Living the Car-Free Lifestyle Lake View Presbyterian Church Choir Director Matt Walker grew up in the car-centric Detroit area. But when he moved to Chicago, he discovered the practical and spiritual benefits of going car-free. READ MORE Words of Wisdom Journalist Carey Gillam has used the power of her writing to be an untiring advocate for environmental justice. READ MORE Breathing the Miraculous Poetry by Nancy Corson Carter In early morning, before sunrise, the local train whistles me awake. I turn over in bed for a few quiet minutes before the alarm. If only the astonishing golden light of a tree I photographed yesterday could be brushed, shimmering, over us—a gentle daylight. We are breathing this season of autumn in and out; it’s a later year of our lives and sometimes we feel mired in slow passages deep with darkening winter. In early prayerfulness, I dare to imagine: Mary breathing with the Christ Child growing in her belly toward birth, a radiance that will not be overshadowed. So I breathe golden leaves, my dear one’s presence, the day opening with the train’s passing, and visions  of tender light—best of all, the Earth itself awakened  by Mary’s Child breathing  miraculous love  into our hearts.   As the human population continues to grow, so does our impact on the environment. In fact, recent research has shown that three-quarters of Earth’s land surface is under pressure from human activity. In this short film, spoken word artist Prince Ea makes a powerful case for protecting the planet and challenges the human race to create a sustainable future.

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