A total of 140 moderate Baptist leaders signed a June 18 letter urging passage of a comprehensive energy bill that includes caps on emissions linked to global warming.  The letter urges strengthening and support for the "American Clean Energy and Security Act" and calls for increased support for the "marginalized and those most at risk" from climate change.  Read the full letter with signatures here.

Robert Parham, executive director of the Baptist Center for Ethics, endorsed the cuirrent legislation in a May 28 editorial on the BCE website EthicsDaily.com: "Our faith calls us to care for creation and the poor in the concrete, not in the abstract," Parham wrote. "Protecting the environment protects the marginalized. One realistic step toward protecting both is supporting the House climate bill."

Many signed a similar letter last year.

To read the 2009 letter in full, click here.

United Methodist Peace and Justice Educator Bren Hardt was published this morning in the Houston Chronicle.  Her letter, linking national efforts to address climate change to the weather damage seen in her garden, can be found here.

As Congress debates climate change legislation, it is critical that the faith community voice its strong support for renewable energy. You can make the difference between effective legislation and business as usual. Please consider writing a letter to the editor to your local newspaper and don't hesitate to call or email us --Texas Interfaith Power and Light is always available for resources and support!

On Wednesday, May 27th, 2009, almost 100 people gathered in Houston for the inaugural event of Houston Interfaith Power and Light, “Faith Voices for the Earth: A Contemplative Candlelight Service.” Mayor Bill White addressed the gathering, urging people to consider the earth and ecological concerns from a place of humility and respect. Religious leaders included Zen Teacher Gaelyn Godwin, Rabbi Robert Haas, Reverend Lisa Hunt, Reverend David Keyes, Sister Ceil Roeger, and Reverend Jeremy Rutledge. Music was offered by members of the Covenant Church choir and the Houston Civic Symphony.

The service closed with lovely cello music on the outdoor labyrinth under the light of the moon. The event’s organizer and host, Reverend Jeremy Rutledge, submitted the following on the subject of the vigil and on Houston IPL’s beginnings:

"It is fitting that Houston should have the first city chapter of Interfaith Power and Light. As the nation's energy capital, and a city of extraordinary religious diversity, we hope to play a key role in linking the ways we produce and consume energy and the moral and ethical teachings of our faith traditions."  Read the full story here.

On Saturday, May 9th, 40 people from different faith traditions gathered in Cedar Park, TX around a common cause: care for our planet.  In prayer, poetry, pictures and song, religious leaders called for action to heal the earth.

The vigil was held the evening before Mother's Day, the day first envisioned in the U.S. as a "Mother's Day for Peace," a day to work for peace in the world.  In that spirit, the vigil focused on peace and justice for the Earth and all its inhabitants.
Read more here.

Speakers represented the Christian, Buddhist, Jewish, Unitarian Universalist, and Neo-Pagan traditions.  It was the first time that these congregations and religious leaders had worked together and participants felt the vigil was a good beginning, laying the groundwork for future cooperation and coalition.

Cantor Marie Betcher of Congregation Shir Ami said that the service was “beautiful, thought provoking and spiritual.”  Participants lit candles and walked out to the labyrinth for the closing prayer, symbolizing the carrying of light and love out into the world.  As a community, they readied themselves for the important and sometimes difficult work that lies ahead.

This year marks the second year that Texans can save money in two ways: in the short term thanks to a sales tax holiday on purchases of Energy Star products, and in the long term through energy savings from their use. The Texas Legislature established Texas' Energy Star sales tax holiday in 2007 as part of HB3693, a comprehensive energy efficiency bill which Texas religious communities helped to support. Texas is the fourth state to adopt an energy efficiency sales tax holiday.

The Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday is May 23rd - May 25th, 2009. The products qualifying for the exemption are:

• air conditioners priced under $6,000, both room and central units
• clothes washers, but not clothes dryers
• ceiling fans
• dehumidifiers
• dishwashers
• light bulbs (incandescent and fluorescent)
• programmable thermostats
• refrigerators priced under $2,000

Find out more HERE.

All are welcome to attend this free screening of “Fighting Goliath” at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church at 7:00 p.m. Following the film presentation, Ryan Rittenhouse, a member of SEED (Sustainable Energy and Environmental Development), will lead a discussion and question period.

Click here for more information about the film and to find out how you can get a free copy for your congregation!

Narrated by Robert Redford and co-produced by The Redford Center at the Sundance Preserve and Alpheus Media, Fighting Goliath: Texas Coal Wars, follows the story of Texans fighting a high-stakes battle for clean air. The film introduces the unlikely partners—people of faith, mayors, ranchers, CEOs, community groups, legislators, lawyers, and citizens—that came together to oppose the construction of 19 conventional coal-fired power plants that were slated to be built in Eastern and Central Texas and that were being fast-tracked by the Governor.

St. Andrews Presbyterian Church

14311 Wells Port Drive
Austin, Texas 78728
Office: (512) 251-0698

Every day should be a day to give thanks for the blessings of creation, rejoice, and work for earth’s preservation and restoration. But in the rush of life, it is all too easy to get sidetracked by tasks, errands, and to-do’s. It helps that we can agree on at least one day each year to remember, rededicate, and renew our connection and commitment to creation.

Earth Day is April 22nd. What are you doing that day?

Worship: Bring Earth Day into congregational life and worship!

• The National Council of Churches has many downloadable Earth Day resources that you can use in worship and learning.
• Get this great intercultural and interfaith book of Earth prayers: Earth Prayers from around the World: 365 Prayers, Poems, and Invocations for Honoring the Earth, edited by Elizabeth Roberts, and use the prayers in your religious education classes, committee and small group meetings, and at fellowship events.
• Host a candlelight vigil and invite leaders from neighboring congregations to join you in thanks, prayer, and service.

Reconnect: Remember your connection to creation.

• Go for a prayerful walk at sunrise, sundown, or anytime.
• Lead a class of children, youth, or adults on a walk. Being in nature is one of the ways we can connect with God and each other.
• With a group, work in a community garden, plant a tree, or clean up a local park or waterway.

Rededicate: Renew your commitment to caring for and restoring creation.

• Reduce your congregation’s carbon footprint by gifting it with compact fluorescent bulbs or other energy-efficient products.
• Raise awareness by hosting a film screening of “Fighting Goliath,” which tells the story of the unique Texas coalition that fought off new coal plants. The fight isn’t over…
• Measure your congregation’s carbon footprint and then see what you can do to reduce it.  We’d love to hear what you and your faith community are doing for Earth Day. Please let us know!