From a Jewish Jazz Shabbat service in Los Angeles to breakfast-and-a-movie in Minnesota, diverse faith congregations across America will showcase religious efforts to act on climate change.
The 2013 National Preach-In sponsored by Interfaith Power & Light will help millions of people in the pews understand why temperature extremes, drought, wildfires and “superstorms” mean climate change is with us now — and what we can do to address it.
Many events will include the opportunity to send messages to President Barack Obama, who said in his second inaugural address that we have a God-given responsibility to address the issue. Petitions and postcards for the president, along with sermons and other resources, can be downloaded at the Preach-In website and may be used beyond the official Preach-In dates of Feb. 8-10.
A Green Living Expo at Grace Lutheran Church in Tampa, Florida, will feature locally grown food, exhibits by local artisans and crafters, and a workshop on “Caring for God’s Earth” from Sunshine State Interfaith Power & Light.
At Temple Isaiah in Los Angeles, California, climate change and education will be the dual topics at the Reform Jewish congregation’s Jazz Shabbat service.
Spirit of Joy Christian Church in Lakeville, Minnesota, plans a breakfast screening of The Hungry Tide, a documentary film about how rising seas threaten the Pacific Ocean nation of Kiribati. (Discounted copies of the DVD are available at www.preachin.org.) Afterward, “Even Minnesota is Getting Warmer” will be the worship service theme.
The Islamic Environmental Group of Wisconsin plans an informational table before and after congregational prayers at the Islamic Center of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
In Lee, New Hampshire, a Baha’i house party will feature Andrew Ogden of the University of New Hampshire, who will talk about “Innovations in Agriculture: Growing Food in a Climate Uncertain World.”
Parkway United Church of Christ in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, will offer congregants an opportunity to send postcards to President Obama and learn about the growing campaign to divest in fossil fuel companies.
Get more details on these events, explore others, and add your own at preachin.org.
