CAPSULES - News and Opportunities for Christians Doing Creation Justice
Spring 2016

NEWS
Protecting the Refuge - Protecting the Future 
Princess Daazhraii Johnson, Gwich'in leader, REDOIL, Episcopal Church Delegate to COP 21
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Episcopal Alaskan writer Bonnie Demerjian shares importance of  Arctic Refuge.

121 Faith Organizations Urge Congress to Invest $750 Million in Green Climate Fund. Read religious leaders' comments.

What the Indian Ocean's Most Powerful Storm Reveals about God's Creation
The Rt. Rev. Jim Gonia, Bishop, Rocky Mountain Synod of the ELCA

Follow Jesus into the Wild California Desert
Bishop Mary Ann Swenson, Ecumenical Officer, United Methodist Church 

Sacred Duty to Curb Methane Waste
 Adrian Miller, Executive Director, Colorado Council of Churches

When We Dare to Listen: Climate in the Arctic
 Rev. Dr. Curtis Karns, Executive Presbyter, Presbytery of the Yukon 

​Prayers, paper lanterns at United Methodist climate vigil 
Linda Bloom, United Methodist Church

Creation Care and Flourishing Ecosystems 
Editor of Red Letter Christians, interview with Creation Justice Ministries Director 

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GET INVOLVED
Right now, members of Congress are making climate justice funding decisions. Take action to support the Green Climate Fund.

Creation Justice Ministries is seeking people of faith willing to offer peaceful presence and testimony at upcoming hearings on the federal coal program in: Knoxville, TN (5/24); Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (6/16); Seattle, Washington (TBA); and Grand Junction, Colorado (6/23). Find more info.

The Arctic Refuge is being threatened by a combination of climate change and development pressures. Alaska Natives depend on the Arctic Refuge for their spiritual and physical well being, and have called for its protection for generations. Stand with Alaska Natives to protect the Arctic Refuge by signing and sharing this petition.

The Bears Ears national monument proposal in southeast Utah is an unprecedented, historic proposal being led by five Native American tribes. The proposal would honor historical and current cultural and spiritual riches of surrounding Native American communities, as well as allow tribes to co-manage land with the Department of Interior. Creation Justice Ministries commissioned a poll that showed 71% of Utah voters support the proposal. Creation Justice Ministries is seeking letters of support for the Bears Ears national monument proposal from Native American ministry leaders across the United States. Email Shantha at shantha [at] creationjustice.org to get involved. Learn more about the campaign. 

EVENTS
Protecting God’s Creatures free teleconference, June 5 @ 4pm, featuring guest speaker Shantha Ready Alonso, Executive Director of Creation Justice Ministries. ​

Creating a Climate for Change Conference at the Florence Civic Center in
South Carolina on June 9, 2016. Register here. 
Don’t miss out on this event and the keynote speaker Mustafa Santiago Ali, the head of EPA Office of Environmental Justice and the Federal Interagency Working Group. 
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The Powerful Faith-Based Organizing for Climate Justice Conference at Pendle Hill, June 16th-19th. They will offer interfaith worship as well as three skills tracks; lobbying and advocacy, community resilience, and loving nonviolent direct action. To register and for more information check out their website.

Faith Network Gathering for an Inclusive Economy, July 8th in Buffalo, NY.  Register here. 
 
Endangered Species round table in: Denver, CO (July 17th) and St. Louis, MO (July 31st). Save the date.

RESOURCES
Creation Justice Ministries has created an automated weekly Twitter roundup of news clips posted by member communions and their leaders, as well as state and local councils of churches. Take a look and subscribe.

Food and Climate crisis info graphic from the Presbyterian Hunger Program, find it here.

Video series: “In the Beginning”. The videos feature ordained scientist in the Episcopal Church discussing creation, evolution, the relationship of science and religion, and care for the environment.
The videos can be found here.
The facilitator's guide can be accessed at the Forward Movement site.
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​Solar webinar by Presbyterian churches can be found here.

Presbyterian Hunger Program newsletter; perspectives on trade, ecowomanism and more!