April Newsletter
Greetings from FEN, the Faith Ecology Network, an Australian hub for strengthening an interfaith dialogue between science and religion.
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Editorial
Greetings! This is our first E-Newsletter for 2022 and we chose April for it because of several significant events.
We are approaching International Mother Earth Day on April 22nd 2022!
(see the full presentation by DLSA on our web site)
Mother Earth Day prompts me to think about how the recent droughts, bushfires, storms, floods and warming seas, the COVID pandemic and the terrible wars being fought, are all interconnected with the need to care for our biodiversity in the face of the extinction crises. Growing in ways to have the “ears to listen and eyes to see” helps me realise how Earth is speaking to us – crying out actually!
While people justifiably want action on climate change, mainly because of impacts that are now directly affecting them, most people’s eyes and ears are not attuned to the crisis of biodiversity loss. Until it directly affects people, I am afraid that most people will not care. All faith traditions have teachings about respect and care for the whole of the natural world. When we bring together the sciences and faith, we think about things like, “Does it matter if species are threatened with extinction because of land clearing for a coal mine or a highway or housing developments?” Or “When I care for the people who are suffering terribly in war, I also care about the ecosystems that are being destroyed?”
April was to have been the time of the UN COP 15 Biodiversity Convention but now because of COVID in the host country, China, it has yet again been postponed. This gives us more time to read Australia’s Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2019-2030 and contact our Federal MPs to ask them to make this a priority for who ever is elected in May.
April 2022 is a special time for Muslims, Jews, Christians, Sikhs, Baha’is, Hindus and Buddhists as they observe the holy day celebrations of Ramadan, Passover, Easter, Vaisakhi, Mahavir Jayanti and Theravada New Year. www.interfaith.org.uk/resources/religious-festivals The last time this occurred was in 1991 before FEN existed. Can we use this opportunity to explicitly make greater connections between what we are learning from the ecological sciences at this time in Earth history with our faith teachings and practices in the interests of preventing human induced extinctions, especially our unique Australian species?
Now read on and learn about some of the jam-packed list of activities from FEN networks, some local and some global, which will fill you with hope and enthusiasm.
Thanks for your interest and support. Peace and Blessings
Anne Lanyon, FEN Co-ordinator
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TEN WAYS TO CARE
A New FEN Resource
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Through the generosity of David Low, one of our FEN members from the Progressive Jewish Community, the FEN Core Group commissioned artist, Brenna Quinlan to design this new Resource which will be linked to the FEN written Ten Ways that shows some existing faith and ecology practitioners and their actions.
We NEED YOUR HELP so We can HELP YOU!!
1. Support our Fundraising:
We need to develop this fabulous resource further so we can help your faith and ecology communities. Our target is $30,000 so we can roll out this resource over the next 12 months.
a) Approach leaders in your faith community and talk to them about FEN. Suggest that becoming part of this crucial network is important and that financial or in-kind support is much needed. Invite them to contact us via faithecology@gmail.com
b) Use this link www.trybooking.com/au/donate/faithecologynetwork for your or your faith group’s donation. We appreciate and depend on financial support. We are all volunteers giving our time to this vital network.
2. Begin using the existing written Ten Ways Resource
Look at what you can start with and get onto it. www.faithecology.net.au/ten_things_to_do
3. Send us captioned photos of what you do
Ensure you have permission from people to publish your photos and mail them to faithecology@gmail.com so we can include them in our newsletter and on the blog page at www.faithecology.net.au
THANK YOU from the FEN Core Group of Tahereh, Valda, David, Zubeda, Veronica and Anne.
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FEN PARTNER News
(FEN partners with these organisations)
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News from FEN Members and Networks
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St Columbans Mission Society: Advocating for Biodiversity at the UN
On March 14-29, representatives to the COP15 gathered in Geneva in order to lay the foundations for this historic plan. Alongside the global NGO community, the Columbans had representatives there so that the perspective of faith communities and the experience of marginalized communities were heard during this process. In this video, the Columbans explain what the CBD is and why it's important. www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFJuih-PDb4&t=1s
Centre for Contemplative Studies, University of Melbourne
FEN is included in an application for funding for a project by the Centre for Contemplative Studies to research ‘Integrating nature experience and contemplative practices to address eco-anxiety’. We should hear about the success or otherwise of this application by the end of April
Miriam Pepper, Uniting Church: Forest Advocate Ministry, NSW North Coast
 The trees and creatures of the forests in NSW are in crisis following the 2019/20 bushfires, logging and the escalation of climate change. There is a calling and opportunity to develop a Christian voice and presence in the struggle for forest protection. This proposal, initially led by the Mid North Coast Presbytery of the Uniting Church but with a vision to work in partnership with others, is for the establishment of a Forest Advocate ministry role, starting on the Mid North Coast and expanding to the Queensland border in the north and the Hunter River in the south. Contact Miriam through FEN if interested in this project. (image: JIMMY MALECKI/NEFA)
Sue Martin, Eco Jesuits
The RAOEN and EcoJesuit Network invites people to an international 2day virtual event to share and amplify local and indigenous experiences in caring for biodiversity ahead of COP 15. Day 1: 20 April, 3:00 pm Manila (8am London, 10am Nairobi, 12pm Mumbai, 3pm Singapore, 5pm Sydney, 7pm Fiji). Day 2: 21 April, 8:00 pm Manila (7am Lima, 8am New York, 9am Rio de Janeiro, 1pm London, 3pm Nairobi, 5pm Mumbai, 8pm Singapore, 10pm Sydney).
Indigenous communities have a vital role in protecting biodiversity and ecosystems through their cultural values, practices, and spiritual relationships with the land and territories. However, Indigenous Peoples’ rights continue to be threatened by commercial pressures. It is critical that the concerns of indigenous communities and their vital role in caring for biodiversity are heard in global discussions. KINDLY REGISTER at https://bit.ly/culture_based_solutions
Lisa Wriley, Quaker and Environmental Educator
Earthcare Game I have been busy assembling, packing and sending more than 300 EARTHCARE box and cloth games out, thanks to help from family (especially my mum!) and friends. "The EARTHCARE game is a fun way to explore the many ways we can care for the earth, connect with nature and help conserve the planet's resources. Take small steps to save the planet and earn points. Make a mess, waste energy or water and lose points. I CARE cards help you do good things. Suitable for 6 - 106 year olds."
Wholly Australian made, the box games are made of recycled cardboard, clay player pieces, smooth upcycled glass and aluminium. The cloth (Australian made canvas) game packs into a pouch so it can be taken to places like picnics or camping. The EARTHCARE game is a re-invention of a beautiful 1976 NZ board game called CONSERVATION.
I hope the game will spark good conversations and actions in families and schools to help us all take small (and BIG) steps to save the planet, our common home. Find out more and pre-order games for June 2022: https://www.earthcaregame.org/
Rabbi Yonatan Neril, Interfaith Centre for Sustainable Development, Israel
In an effort to encourage clergy to preach and teach on Christian ecology at least once a month, the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development and the Rev. Dr. Leah Schade have partnered to develop a new free resource called EcoPreacher 1-2-3. Drawing from Eco Bible, a Jewish ecological commentary on the Hebrew Scriptures, Dr. Schade, author of Creation-Crisis Preaching: Ecology, Theology and the Pulpit (Chalice Press, 2015), provides sermon preparation for preaching about caring for God’s Creation that is short, accessible, and based on a solid biblical foundation.
EcoPreacher 1-2-3 offers a brief “eco-exegesis” for interpreting a Hebrew text from the Revised Common Lectionary for that Sunday. This is followed by one “eco idea” for the basis of the sermon, two “eco questions” to go deeper, and three “eco actions” to choose from to help a congregation put their faith into action. With this resource, preachers can use the sermon ideas in their own context and make it relevant for their congregation.
Past EcoPreacher resources are available at this link: https://www.interfaithsustain.com/ecopreacher-123/
Sign up to receive future EcoPreacher 1-2-3 resources at this link: https://www.interfaithsustain.com/ecopreacher-123/ |
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Strengthening an interfaith dialogue between science and religion in the interests of advancing ecological consciousness and care for the Earth
The Faith Ecology network aims:
- To share mutual appreciation of religious traditions regarding ecological insights
- To discern and foster religious reasons for advocacy
Through the network we share the experience of religious and cultural diversity which enhances the depths of one’s own religious tradition. We grow in understanding of the connections between faith and ecology. We build up networks within and between faith traditions and environmentalists.
We would love your support to employ a P/T facilitator to help grow FEN.
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Learn more about FEN
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