Highlights of Earth Stewardship 2008 Adult Forum Series
The Seven Days of Restoration
First Sunday: Let there be Light! Allison Fisher of Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light (GWIPL) gave a very informative talk about the importance of energy conservation and some great energy-saving ideas and practices being implemented by religious organizations. For further information, go to http://www.gwipl.org/.
Second Sunday – Water: An excerpt was shown from the video, The Water of Life, from the 2007 Mollegen Forum, Virginia Theological Seminary, followed by a lively discussion led by Marshall Finch, head of Christian Formation and Education. The forum explored the current water crisis and the theological basis for careful stewardship of this precious gift. Discussion focused mainly on the enormous amount of freshwater required to produce some of our staple food crops as well as manufactured goods, and projections of increasing global shortages. For more information, go to http://www.vts.edu/news/news/detail.asp?newsid=390752.
Third Sunday – Plants: Donna Judkins, Ph.D., biologist and Co-Chair of our Earth Stewardship Commission, gave a presentation on the vital role that plants play in life on Earth – both by converting the sun’s energy to food and, in doing so, producing the oxygen that we breathe. She emphasized the need for us to keep a watchful eye on the ocean phytoplankton (suspended plant-life) and rainforests because the majority of our oxygen is thought to come from those sources. In addition to supporting the conservation of these vital plants, she described local actions we can take to help achieve better balanced plant communities, chiefly through removal of nuisance invasive species and propagation of native species. Gardening with native species was encouraged and some suggestions were given for specialized gardens to help feed wildlife. For more information, go to http://www.mdflora.org/.
Fourth Sunday - Weather, Atmosphere and Outer Space: Excerpts were shown from the History Channel’s, A Global Warning? (http://store.aetv.com/html/product/index.jhtml?id=107940 ), and National Geographic’s, Six Degrees Could Change the World (http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/episode/six-degrees-could-change-the-world-3188/Overview ). The film, A Global Warning? explored the Earth’s atmospheric history in an attempt to distinguish natural from anthropogenic effects. The film concluded that the recent atmospheric changes are largely caused by carbon dioxide from anthropogenic sources. The film, Six Degrees Could Change the World, explored some scientific projections of changes that may be expected as global temperatures increase by one degree increments up to six degrees above recent historic levels. The excerpt viewed was from the later part of the film and addressed some possible solutions, including using alternate forms of energy, such as wind, solar, geothermal and nuclear fission. The films emphasized the need for actions both swift and deliberate. Marshall Finch led a discussion on the actions needed as well as the need to keep the faith that with God’s help we can steward the Earth back to a better state.
Fifth Sunday - Sealife and Flying Creatures (Lower Animals): Barry Thompson, MD, and bee-keeper, highlighted the interconnectedness of all creatures with his presentation on Pollinators. He described the current crash in populations of honeybees and other pollinators in this country and the difficulty this presents for agriculture. He also gave some great ideas for making your yard into a nature refuge for our flying friends, and at the same time adding priceless relaxation and entertainment value by attracting bees, birds and butterflies!
Sixth Sunday – Land Animals and Humans (Higher Animals): Christine Antonsen, student of environmental science at the Poolesville Target Program, Montgomery County, Maryland, gave a wonderfully provocative talk on human impact on the environment. Next, Anne Harris, former Seminarian (now graduated) from the Virginia Theological Seminary, gave a stimulating theological perspective on our responsibility toward creation. She illustrated potential complexities and challenges in going green with a first hand recount of a controversy that ensued when landowners sought to construct windmills, marring the beautiful pastoral scenes that other landowners valued. For further information on the theological perspective, go to http://www.earthcareonline.org/bibleverses.html.
Seventh Sunday – Sustainability: Marta Vogel, our Sierra Club liaison and Co-Chair of our Earth Stewardship Commission, tied together the series with a talk on sustainability. Marta drew attention to the current popularity of dropping words like “sustainability” and “green” and their frequent misuse. She called for unification of our stewardship initiatives through first adjusting our thinking, our environ-“mental” state to one where the goal of a sustainable earth is a major priority. Discussion focused on the large picture of sustainability. Josephine Shepherd expanded our definition of recycling by urging other parishioners to consider recycling valuable organs at death. Marta ended the series with an entertaining original composition, “If I only Had a Bag.”