Presbyterians for Earth Care - Fossil Fuel Draft Overture, Join us for Winter Solstice Webinar, COP28 Review

WEBINAR COMING UP: Making a Home in the Darkness; Waiting for the Light A Winter Solstice Service The service will be a more quiet worship service blending observance of the winter solstice and Advent, with notes of light and darkness; words, images, music, and contemplative space.  Those who attend might wish to bring a candle, so that their own space and our gathered space might be a space of luminous darkness.  Date: Thursday, December 21, 2023 Time: 7:30 pm EST (6:30 CST, 5:30 MST, 4:30 PST) Presenter: The Rev. Dr. Susan Gilbert Zencka, with music by Danny Mitchell Susan Gilbert Zencka is a PCUSA minister who served congregations in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin before retiring in 2021 and moving to Allentown, PA.  While in active ministry, she was active in interfaith environmental organizations, and had a passion for creation-honoring worship.  While she particularly enjoyed celebrating the Season of Creation each autumn, creation-honoring worship is always in season.   Danny Mitchell, instrumentalist/singer/songwriter/composer, is well-versed in pop, jazz, country, and classical. Danny has made a name for himself within the industry as a go-to solo and collaborative performer and writer. Currently he brings his talents to bear as keyboardist, bandleader, and vocalist with multiplatinum recording artist Miranda Lambert.

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Overture: Removal of investments in and subsidies for fossil fuels. Hello Earth Care Friends: Please take a few minutes to review our draft of an overture instructing MRTI to place the fossil fuel industry on our denomination's "proscription" list alongside nuclear weapons, tobacco, etc. and calling on the U.S. government to cease all fossil fuel subsidies. When we developed our overture two years ago, we discovered that a direct mandate from G.A. to our fiduciaries (BoP and Foundation) was prohibited by the legal agreements we have in place which govern these arrangements and that our MRTI mechanism is the the means through which we are meant to communicate our moral suasion. We have therefore attempted to word this overture to make the case the case for categorical "proscription" (rather than the normal MRTI engagement process), in a way that avoids the same obstacles we previously faced. If you have any suggestions for changes to our current wording, please let us know by December 20th so we may use the holiday break to "perfect" our overture before reaching out to presbyteries. However. be advised that there is a new 1,500 word limit to the entire overture/rationale so that any additions will need to be off-set by deletions. If you have suggestions for additions/re-wording, please also suggest where deletions might be made. As we had many very helpful suggestions to years ago during this process, we are hopeful you will make the time once again to assist us.  A blessed Advent and Christmas to you all, Fred Milligan and Pam McVety Overture Drafters for PEC Advocacy Committee The DRAFT document is available to download from our website home page. Email comments and suggestions to presbyearthcare@gmail.com. CLICK HERE

Presbyterians for Earth Care Steering Committee Election   We are happy to present the nominees for positions on the 2024 PEC Steering Committee.  If you are a member of PEC, or if you have donated to PEC, you are eligible to cast your vote in the Steering Committee Election.  (If you are not a member or donor to PEC, you can find more information about becoming a member HERE.)  Voting takes place online and will end on January 21, 2024. For 2-Year Terms:   Jane Laping (Vice Moderator) Jane Laping started on the PEC Steering Committee in 2010 and then served as Vice Moderator of PEC from 2012-2014. In 2015 she became PEC’s part-time Coordinator and held that position for six years. Jane is also active at the local and state level, leading the Creation Care Team at her church in Asheville, NC, heading the Earth Care Team of the Presbytery of Western North Carolina (WNC), and is on the Steering Team of the Creation Care Alliance of WNC.   Courtenay Willcox (Northeast Regional Rep.) Courtenay’s passion around environmental issues is the third leg of a stool that also includes family and God. She moderated her church’s Environmental Justice Committee, founded a local interfaith green group, and partners with PA IPL to share resources with regional faith institutions. A recent seminary graduate with a certificate in environmental theology, she currently serves Tree of Life Church in Springfield, PA as a transitional pastor. And, for her, there is nothing like a sunrise walk on the beach!   Sam Hamilton-Poore (South Atlantic Regional Rep.)  Sam Hamilton-Poore is pastor of the Montevallo Presbyterian Church in Montevallo, AL. His church is a long-time Earth Care Congregation in the PCUSA. He is also the author of "Earth Gospel: A Guide to Prayer for God's Creation" (Upper Room Books) and a spiritual director.  His wife Terry is also a Presbyterian minister and serves as pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, AL. For 1-Year Term:   Matthias Peterson-Brandt (North Central Rep.) Rev. Matthias Peterson-Brandt (he/him) ministers with the faithful folks of Cherokee Park United Church, a PCUSA/UCC congregation on the west side of St. Paul. TCPUC was awarded the “Restoring Creation Award” in 2021 by Presbyterians for Earth Care for over a decade of dedicated creation care efforts across many fronts—solar panel installation, eco-centric facilities upgrades, advocacy for climate legislation, and creative earth-centered worship services.  For more detailed information about the candidates, CLICK HERE.

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COP28 NOTE FROM BILL SOMPLATSKY-JARMAN Bill has attended 27 of the 28 COP meetings over the years and serves on the Presbyterians for Earth Care Steering Committee: “COP28, like many before it, was a mixed bag with some achievements such as recognizing the importance of committing significant funds to address the Loss and Damage suffered by developing nations due to climate change, and strengthening work to help abate the impact of climate change. On the other hand, the final action affirming beginning to transition away from fossil fuels as sources for producing electricity is being criticized for lack of specificity or immediacy. Critics rightfully pointed out any delay would endanger vulnerable nations. So as before, we must step up the pressure to speed up the transition and actually raise the money, previously committed, to help vulnerable nations to both address increased disasters and develop their economies with renewable energy sources.” The faith-based organizations were strongly supporting the need for enhanced and immediate response to jumpstart this transition to protect island and lower lying nations that risk extinction if we don’t get moving. The Pacific Island nations were quite vocal about what could happen to them." Bill ACT ALLIANCE ARTICLE ON COP 28 Presbyterian News Service Article by Jessica Maudlin: A PC(USA) contingent in Dubai shares some of their thoughts as COP28 draws to a close

No-cost, low-cost, and bigger splurges for climate-conscious gifts: Choosing gifts with the planet — and greenwashing pitfalls — in mind. Read the article, including 25 suggestions for climate-conscious giving intended to work with many budgets, published in the Harvard Health Blog HERE.

How can we help you care for God’s creation?  Drop us an email and let us know at presbyearthcare@gmail.com Help us grow! Please let us know if there is anyone we should add to our list!  Just reply to this email.  Thank you! Please help us to continue to assist individuals and churches in creation care work by donating to PEC through our website by CLICKING HERE.  Thank you!

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