The State Department just released its final environmental impact report on Keystone XL http://www.keystonepipeline-xl.state.gov/  -- and despite the spin from the oil industry, it shows our voices have made a difference.  Now, with your help, it's time to defeat Keystone XL once and for all.  President Obama vowed to reject the pipeline if the project would "significantly exacerbate the problem of carbon pollution."  The facts are clear: Keystone XL fails President Obama's climate test.

You can now comment on the report.  It’s easy.  Use this link: https://secure.sierraclub.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=12467  Tell both President Obama and Secretary of State Kerry to reject Keystone XL.  A copy of your message will also be submitted to the State Department as a public comment opposing Keystone XL.

 

LENTEN OPPORTUNITY

Consider making the Carbon Fast your congregation’s Lenten conversation.  For the 4^th year running, individuals and congregations from all over the world will fast from carbon as a Lenten discipline.  Sign up to receive a daily email with the day’s suggested carbon-reducing activity, and on Sundays, gather with others to discuss what you’ve learned and done.  Share this invitation with your congregation through your newsletter and in your bulletin.  Click on this link to sign up: macucc.org/carbonfast .  Join us on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carbonfast.  The Carbon Fast begins on Ash Wednesday, March 5, and continues through Easter Sunday, April 20, 2014.  AN INITIATIVE OF:

N.E.R.E.M. – New England Regional Environmental Ministries.  ENDORSED BY: The Episcopal Bishops of Massachusetts and Massachusetts Interfaith Power & Light.

 

ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE!  Become a Green Congregation

Today's environmental realities call us to examine anew how we live.  As people of faith, we look to the scriptures for guidance for the choices we make in our lives.  Genesis 1 says that when God created the heavens and the earth, God saw that everything was "very good."  We learn in Genesis 2 that as humankind has the freedom to make moral choices, each of us lives with the responsibility for our personal actions or inactions.  With God’s gift of  free will, the prophet Micah guides us towards moral and responsible lifestyle choices: we are to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God [Mic.6:6-8].

               

The Green Congregation Challenge is an initiative by the Massachusetts Conference Environmental Ministries group to certify local churches that want to be more green.  Churches satisfying the requirements at each of the three levels of achievement are recognized at our Annual Meetings, where they are presented with an award commensurate with their achievement. 

 

 

This webinar is being offered by the Center for Progressive Renewal. 

Register for it starting February 11, 2014 at the Center For Progressive Renewal.

Super Saturday March 1, 2014:  Two workshop opportunities for you and others from your congregation.  Bonus: hear Diana Butler Bass!

Click here to register: http://www.macucc.org/events/detail/1458

#22. What the World Wide Church is Doing to Address Climate Change
Delegates from 345 denominations across the earth representing half a billion Christians gather only once every seven years.  Last October the World Council of Churches met in South Korea, and Kelly Forbush was there – helping convince the Assembly to vote NO to the Keystone XL pipeline. Hear the full story and learn more about the work and environmental witness of the World Council of Churches. 

#33. How to Become a Green Congregation - Solutions to Practical & Financial Issues
Caring for creation includes the responsibility of each congregation to lower its use of fossil fuels. Doing so frees up resources critically needed for mission and ministry.  Knowing what actions to take, how to take them and how to pay for them can be daunting. 

 

LISTEN

“On Point” host Tom Ashbrook’s show on the Keystone XL Pipeline on 2/3/14  http://onpoint.wbur.org/2014/02/03/keystone-xl-oil-tar-sands-alberta

READ

Bill McKibben’s newest book: Oil and Honey

Bill McKibben’s newest essay:   Movements Without Leaders  

 

 

Look back at the national UCC’s Synod vote to divest: http://www.macucc.org/pages/detail/2610

 

Check out the national coverage we received: http://www.macucc.org/news/detail/240

 

Join First Church Cambridge and many of our congregations that are considering divesting their congregation’s investments in fossil fuel companies.

 

 

www.MACUCC.org   @JimAntal

To sign up, click the logo above or here: www.macucc.org/carbonfast