From ehoffner at orionsociety.org Tue Jul 14 11:47:00 2009 From: ehoffner at orionsociety.org (Erik Hoffner, Orion Grassroots Network) Date: Tue Jul 14 11:47:01 2009 Subject: [Creation Care] PeaceCasters interfaith documentary project References: <1102623336112.1102230243804.4412.9.201055FF@scheduler> Message-ID: <90FEACB9-A337-4BC0-9B00-8AD16FAE1C22@orionsociety.org> This is of interest mainly to folks near KY, but perhaps this PeaceCasters program, below, of the Ctr for Interfaith Relations will inspire other interfaith groups to do something similar: neat program for kids: "PeaceCasters create digital media projects ranging from creative film pieces to journalistic interviews. You'll apply your new skills in the real world. PeaceCasters have the chance to meet and interview famous authors, musicians, faith leaders, and politicians! PeaceCasters are like CIR's news reporters, so you'll have inside access into our big events, like the Festival of Faiths and Faith Leaders Forum. You'll also make new friends from diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds. Never met a Muslim or Hindu before? Now's your chance to find out you're not so different!" Also note below the Festival of Faiths event scheduled for November... Erik -- Erik Hoffner Orion Grassroots Network 888-909-6568 http://www.oriongrassroots.org The Orion Grassroots Network provides services and support to grassroots organizations engaged in ecological, social, and cultural change. > > > We want you! > Sign up now for the > PeaceCasters Fall Session! > > Fall Sessions > 2009 > > Register now for our Fall Session > > Meeting Every Other Sunday from > 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm > > Empowering Youth to Explore Messages of > Peace and Cooperation Through > Digital Media > > > PeaceCasters new and old are welcome! > > > > Dear PeaceCasters, Friends and Supporters, > > Now is the time to sign up for the PeaceCasters Fall Session. > Following are great successes with summer camp we will be ready to > take the fall session to the next level! > > The Fall Session will meet every other Sunday from 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm. > > While there is no fee for participating space is strickly limited, > so register now. > > Whether new to PeaceCasters, a past participant or a Camper from > this summer we'd love to have you with us. > > Participation is limited to those between the ages of 11 and 16. > > Contact Mark Steiner at 502-583-3100 x 24 or > mark@interfaithrelations.org to register and reserve your place now! > > The Fall Meeting Schedule will be: > > August 30 > September 13 > September 27 > October 11 > October 25 > November 8 > November 22 > December 6 > December 20 > > Mark your calendars and sign up today! > > Sincerely, > > Mark Steiner > Barbara West > > > Summer Camp > August 3 -7 Go! > Event Coverage and > Documentary Making Skills > > This week is offered to past participants, students who are > participating in the Summer camps and those who can demonstrate a > working knowledge of basic videography. This session is all about > the basics of creating a documentary and will include instruction > from professional documentarians. > > Our project's focus will be the Peace Education Program's upcoming > annual "Be the Change Community Choir Concert" in October. > Sessions will be spent preparing to document behind the scenes, > rehearsals and the concert itself. > > In addition during this session participants will have the > opportunity to interview key participants in the "Be the Change > Community Choir" process including: > > ? Peace Education staff > ? Choir leaders and musicians > ? Choir members > ? Audience members > > Participants will be invited to continue with this project beyond > their camp experience. > > Register early for Camp as sessions are limited to twelve > participants between the ages of 12 and 15 > > Camp runs daily from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm > > Fee: > Documentary Skills 8/3-8/7 $95.00 > > A $50 deposit is required for each session. The balance is due one > week before the session's start date. > > Some scholarship funds are available > Contact Mark Steiner for details. > (502) 583-3100 or Mark@interfaithrelations.org > > Registration deadline is 14 days before the session begins. > To register contact: > > Center for Interfaith Relations > c/o Mark Steiner > 415 West Muhammad Ali Blvd > Louisville, Ky 40202 > > > For more information on PeaceCasters see > www.interfaithrelations.org > > > > > > > > The Center for Interfaith Relations > is excited to announce our > > Festival of Faiths: > Sacred Water, Sustaining Life > November 5 - 14, 2009 > > Mark your Calendar and Save the Dates! > > More details about this exciting and unique Festival of Faiths will be > forthcoming in the months ahead. > > > Center for Interfaith Relations | 415 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd. | > Louisville | KY | 40202 > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.orionsociety.org/pipermail/faith/attachments/20090714/33fe2cce/attachment.html From ehoffner at orionsociety.org Wed Jul 15 11:59:21 2009 From: ehoffner at orionsociety.org (Erik Hoffner, Orion Grassroots Network) Date: Wed Jul 15 11:59:18 2009 Subject: [Creation Care] Interfaith Power/Light job opening, Nat'l Campaigns Coordinator Message-ID: <58E4903A-81C2-47F6-9587-E0E8A0AF39F2@orionsociety.org> Please pass this along or visit the link below yourself for more info if you're interested! National Campaigns Coordinator The Regeneration Project is the national office of the Interfaith Power and Light (IPL) campaign. There are currently 29 IPL state affiliates. IPL is mobilizing the religious community to become leaders in the fight against global warming. Over 10,000 congregations of all faiths are involved, in all 50 states. IPLs engage congregations through energy conservation and renewable energy programs, education and outreach, and public policy advocacy. The National Campaigns Coordinator will support state IPL affiliates in implementing national IPL advocacy campaigns. This is a historic opportunity to help pass meaningful climate and clean energy policies by leveraging faith community support. Full job description and application info: http:// jobs.oriongrassroots.org/ Erik -- Erik Hoffner Orion Grassroots Network 888-909-6568 http://www.oriongrassroots.org The Orion Grassroots Network provides services and support to grassroots organizations engaged in ecological, social, and cultural change. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.orionsociety.org/pipermail/faith/attachments/20090715/5e16d0a4/attachment.html From ehoffner at orionsociety.org Mon Jul 20 15:24:51 2009 From: ehoffner at orionsociety.org (Erik Hoffner, Orion Grassroots Network) Date: Mon Jul 20 15:25:02 2009 Subject: [Creation Care] Thomas Berry's Cathedral event, 9/26 References: <3BDB88D7-3B3D-4D9D-97BF-1E99A5FEE7ED@orionsociety.org> Message-ID: <42EF76F1-FCD7-42BE-B858-474D5047C619@orionsociety.org> There will be one more large public event for Thomas Berry, in NYC, in September, below. Erik -- Erik Hoffner Orion Grassroots Network 888-909-6568 http://www.oriongrassroots.org The Orion Grassroots Network provides services and support to grassroots organizations engaged in ecological, social, and cultural change. >> >> From: Margare946@bellsouth.net >> To: newnativepress@hotmail.com >> Subject: Cathedral event >> Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:40:33 +0000 >> >> Dear friends and associates of Thomas Berry, >> >> My three surviving brothers (of eight) join me in >> thanking you for your many manifestations of esteem for our elder >> brother whom you know as Thomas and we as just Brother. Following >> funeral and memorial services in Grensboro, NC; Jamica, LI; and >> Green Mountain Monastery, Greensboro VT, the New York event will >> be the fourth of major public memorials to the revered and >> beloved author of The Great Work. Despite my status as senior >> member of Thomas's family, age and infirmity prevent my attending, >> but niece Ann Berry Somers, a University of North Carolina biology >> teacher and Thomas Berry Foundation trustee, has been named the >> official family representative. We hope you will meet and >> converse with Ann. >> >> The Thomas-Berry Foundation invitation to the St. John >> the Divine Cathedral event is here attached in case of need for >> schedule and/or directions. We hope the turnout will reflect the >> influence of Thomas's thought, not only on individuals, but as >> well on the four major institutions of our global society: >> political, commercial, religious, and academic. >> >> Love to all, >> Margaret (Berry) >> >> Thomas Berry Award and Memorial Service - Sat. Sept. 26, 2009 >> >> Dear Colleagues, >> >> Thomas Berry who passed away on June 1st is being remembered in >> many places across North America and around the world. So many >> messages are coming in with words of deep appreciation for this >> remarkable teacher, writer, and sage. >> >> Thus we are pleased to invite you to join us for the Thomas Berry >> Award and Memorial Service on Saturday, September 26th, 2009 at >> the Cathedral of St John the Divine in New York City. For many >> years the Cathedral has held a special place in the religious and >> cultural life of New York. Thomas Berry was a canon there and he >> was a major inspiration for the Cathedral's long standing concern >> for the environment. We are delighted that Dean James Kowalski is >> welcoming this event with great enthusiasm. >> >> The Thomas Berry Award was initiated in 1999 at the same time as >> the Thomas Berry Foundation was established. This year the award >> will be given to Martin Kaplan who helped to set up the Thomas >> Berry Foundation and has been an extraordinary supporter of >> Thomas' vision. He is a leader in the field of environmental grant >> making and has assisted environmental programs at Harvard, >> Columbia, MIT, and Yale. He has been instrumental in the work of >> the Forum on Religion and Ecology. >> >> This event will take place in the Cathedral, which is located at >> Amsterdam and 112th Street near Columbia University. The schedule >> is as follows: >> >> 2:00 Thomas Berry Award ceremony honoring Martin Kaplan >> 3:30 Break >> 4:00 Thomas Berry Memorial Service with Paul Winter >> 6:00 Reception in the Cathedral >> >> This event is sponsored by the Thomas Berry Foundation, which was >> established in 1999 to foster his work. Donations to continue his >> legacy may be sent to: >> >> The Thomas Berry Foundation >> c/o Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim >> 29 Spoke Drive >> Woodbridge, CT 06525 >> >> We look forward to you joining us for this special time to honor >> Thomas' legacy and to recommit ourselves to the great work ahead. >> >> Warmest wishes, >> Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim >> >> >> > > > > > > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.orionsociety.org/pipermail/faith/attachments/20090720/fa5bc68b/attachment.html From ehoffner at yahoo.com Tue Jul 21 14:32:47 2009 From: ehoffner at yahoo.com (Erik Hoffner) Date: Tue Jul 21 14:32:51 2009 Subject: [Creation Care] Fw: A CALL FOR PEACEFUL DIALOGUE IN THE COAL FIELDS Message-ID: <260954.6722.qm@web52109.mail.re2.yahoo.com> ? ? Contact: ?Rev. Dennis Sparks: 304-344-3141 ? A CALL FOR PEACEFUL DIALOGUE IN THE COAL FIELDS ? We have all viewed with growing consternation the level of tension, confrontation, threats, and harbingers of violence in our West Virginia coalfields around the issue of mountaintop removal mining. We call upon the civic leaders of our state, the coal industry, and environmental groups to desist in using inflammatory rhetoric, and to avoid activities that could create confrontation. We ask leaders to encourage an attitude of understanding toward those with whom one disagrees. ? Let us take the opportunity during these challenging times to return to the basic tenets of our society. ?You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,? said Jesus of Nazareth, ?and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.? (Luke 10:27) To his Christians followers, Jesus expands this command even further. ?Love you enemies. Pray for those who persecute you. For in doing so you will show yourselves children of your heavenly father who sends rain on the just and the unjust.? (Matthew 5:44-45) ? As Christians, we are obligated to treat others in the manner in which we want to be treated. This requires us to respect the God-given dignity of all people, and their right to express their views in a reasonable manner.? When we disagree, we must respect the other parties? right of lawful assembly, and? freedom of speech, as guaranteed by the US Constitution. ? The recent cancellation in South Charleston , because of unnamed security concerns, of a film premiere featuring a West Virginia filmmaker indicates the level of fear and uncertainty being experienced. Violence of any kind in this situation would be a terrible result, but violence against our neighbors is particularly tragic. ? It is understandable that people on both sides of the issue feel threatened and fearful. Miners worry that their jobs will disappear, and with them their income and means of supporting their families. They are concerned that other good jobs will not be available to them. Other coalfield residents feel endangered by blasting, slurry impoundments, and toxic substances that affect their health. They fear the loss of heritage and culture when they are forced to leave communities that have been their homes for many years or generations. ? Leaders of our state government have a special responsibility to represent all West Virginians equally. We call upon them in this tense situation to be measured in their words and actions. They should avoid any appearance of partisanship. Whatever their personal opinions may be, their public duty must take precedence. ? ?Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called God?s children.? (Matthew 5:9) With our Lord Jesus Christ, we call upon all citizens to be people of peace, to maintain calm, and to act and speak non-violently. We encourage all who find themselves directly involved in the issue to study non-violence and peacemaking tactics. When anyone is faced with hostile actions and language, we ask that they remember we are part of one human family. ? ? West Virginia Council of Churches Program Units on Governmental Concerns and Peace with Justice -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.orionsociety.org/pipermail/faith/attachments/20090721/30b86ffa/attachment.htm From ehoffner at orionsociety.org Wed Jul 29 12:59:34 2009 From: ehoffner at orionsociety.org (Erik Hoffner, Orion Grassroots Network) Date: Wed Jul 29 12:59:37 2009 Subject: [Creation Care] racial/digital divide in faith-based nonprofit world Message-ID: <78F5A137-E2C7-495C-B717-887B6380A7E8@orionsociety.org> Interesting article below from the website Urban Ministry, http:// www.urbanministry.org/ - a site with sermons, podcasts, and more on Christian Social Justice issues. This snippet from the article "How Google and Social Entrepreneurs Perpetuate the Digital Divide Among Nonprofits" caught my eye: "1. Be intentional about reaching out to faith-based organizations doing social services. Why? Our research indicates that about two-thirds of Black and Latino- led nonprofits are in churches or other faith-based organizations. Comparitively, about two-thirds of White-led nonprofits are secular. This means that on average, faith-based organizations are about twice as likely to be Black or Latino-led. This has important implications for funders, because if they will not fund faith-based organizations, then they are cutting their chances of funding a Black or Latino-led nonprofit by 50%." Not sure about the math on faith based orgs being twice as likely to be Black or Latino-led, but it sounds like a significant number overall. Anyone on this listserv care to share your observations on this topic with me (ehoffner@orionsociety.org) or the rest of the group (faith@lists.orionsociety.org) on that, though? Erik -- Erik Hoffner Orion Grassroots Network 888-909-6568 http://www.oriongrassroots.org The Orion Grassroots Network provides services and support to grassroots organizations engaged in ecological, social, and cultural change. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.orionsociety.org/pipermail/faith/attachments/20090729/7cc35fa6/attachment.htm