There were about 25 of us gathered on a Tuesday night in a synagogue in Austin, Texas: a handful of Baptists and Jews; a few Episcopalians; a couple of Methodists, Presbyterians and members of a Unity church; one Muslim; one Wiccan; one member of a Sufi order and one member of a non-denominational Christian church. Some were clergy, some volunteer and staff leaders in their religious communities, and some concerned laypeople. All were interested in learning more about how we can better work together to care for creation—people and the planet.
It was a good beginning.
As we went around the room and introduced ourselves, a Muslim gentleman shared some of the Prophet Mohammed’s teachings about trees. “He was very protective of trees,” he said. “Even new development sometimes lost out to protecting trees.” Then a Baptist woman turned to the Muslim man and said, “I agree with what Mohammed said about trees.” That was my favorite moment of the evening.
Austin’s Interfaith Environmental Network (IEN) has been building its network over the last few years. In 2009, they hosted an event keynoted by Rabbi Andrea Cohen-Kiener, Director of the Interreligious Eco-Justice Network/Connecticut Interfaith Power & Light and author of “Claiming Earth as Common Ground: The Ecological Crisis Through the Lens of Faith.” For Earth Day, 2010, IEN created a beautiful and well-attended interfaith worship service. And leaders met with all members of the Austin City Council over a series of months to discuss faith communities’ concerns about and hopes for Austin Energy’s new generation plan.
Now IEN is holding monthly open meetings on the first Tuesday of each month, to include a presentation followed by time for questions and conversations, hoping and planning. (Note: the network plans to meet every month except for July, August and December.) The idea is to build community, share ideas and resources, and work together to protect creation. If you’re interested in learning more, please visit IEN’s website. I’d love to see you at the next meeting!