Ecominds-a Mailing List: EcoMinds-A List, 3/19/05

[Joe Lazur & Madalyn Cioci (joemadalyn]

Metro UU ECOMINDS-A List 

March 18, 2005

UU EcoMinds promotes lifestyles, policies and technologies that respect 

and sustain all life on earth and is a working group of 

the Metro UU Social Justice Alliance (MUUSJA)

 

E-mail your announcement suggestions to ecominds-editor [at] muusja.org

To subscribe or be removed from this list, visit the the EcoMinds-A Info Page  or send e-mail to fholson "at" cohousing.org 

UU EcoMinds is on the web at www.muusja.org/ecominds. Site is under construction.

If you have questions and want to talk to a real person, call Madalyn at 612-926-5249.


Important Upcoming Events!

A. "Greening Your Congregation" Workshop - Sunday, April 3, First Univeralist Church

B. EcoMinds Compact Fluorescent Bulb Sales 

C. Earth Day Events at Metro Area UU Congregations

D. Next EcoMinds Meeting- May 5, 7-9pm, First Unitarian Society

 

Query: YOUR RESPONSE NEEDED! 

Q1.  Would EcoMinds like to create a summer assembly for FUS?

 

Related Opportunities:

1. UUA Links to the NEW Seventh Principle Project Global Warming on-line discussion group and the Green Sanctuary Program

2. From ME3: March 27th CNN special on Global Warming, with a Minnesota connection.

 

***************************        

A. "Greening Your Congregation" Workshop - Sunday, April 3, 2005

1:00 - 4:30 pm, First Universalist Church

 UU EcoMinds urges its members and other interested UUs to attend Greening Your Congregation workshop in support of UUA's current study action issue on global warming.  The workshop, on Sunday, April 3 from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at First Universalist Church, is organized by Congregations Caring for Creation (C3) whose mission is to  "promote the active care of creation as integral to spiritual life and social justice in Minnesota communities of faith."  Chris Burda (First Universalist) and Lisa Herschberger (MN Valley UU Fellowship) sit on key C3 leadership teams. 

 

The purpose of the workshop is to empower congregations to protect the integrity of creation as our eco-systems are threatened by global climate change.  Mini-workshops will focus on buildings and grounds, social action, adult and youth education, and worship and ritual, much like the UU's Seventh Principle Project.  The keynote presenters include Calvin B. DeWitt, from the Ausable Institute, a scientist, writer, and conservationist who enjoys sharing his interest and enthusiasm for the environment and for earthkeeping  and Bill Bradley of Interfaith Power and Light who will share success stories from congregations nation wide. Register early at 612-331-1099 #3 or www.allianceforsustainability.net (click on C3). 

 

B. EcoMinds Compact Fluorescent Bulb Sales-- Update

 

·          The EcoMinds CF bulb task force secured $1,000 loan from the FUS Social Action Program to make initial purchase of the bulbs for sale at FUS, and potentially at other congregations. 

·          At this writing, FUS is the only congregation that has confirmed they will be selling the bulbs at their earth day service.  If your congregation is planning to sell bulbs, let us know! 

·          If your congregation would like more information about how to get in on the action, please contact either Bob Friedman, at rmarcf [at] usfamily.net  or 612-722-4705 or Marcy Leussler at wildrhub [at] hotmail.com

 

C. Earth Day, April 24 Events at MVUUF, 1st Universalist, and FUS 

(Does your congregation have events planned? Let us know!)

 

MVUUF:          Saving Money, Time, Your Health and the Earth:  
                        What's Possible With Sustainability? by Terry Gips

 

Sunday, April 24th 10:30 a.m. Service at Minnesota Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 10715 Zenith Avenue South, Bloomington

Following the service, Terry will lead a follow-up discussion in the Fireside Room.

 

Can we create a sustainable future for us and our children? Does environmental responsibility have to cost more or mean a lesser lifestyle? If we all recycle will we achieve sustainability? Can McDonald's really go organic, serve veggie burgers and use only renewable energy? In the face of seemingly overwhelming challenges, can we really make a difference and turn things around?
 

Terry will introduce us to sustainability principles and the Natural Step Framework, and how it can benefit you at home, work and in the community, and several simple, practical steps you can take to save money, time and the environment while protecting the health and well-being of you, your children and future generations. Participants will gain a positive, new perspective and see how we can create a sustainable future.  

 

Terry Gips is an ecologist, economist, author (Breaking the Pesticide Habit and The Humane Consumer and Producer Guide), President of the nonprofit Alliance for Sustainability, and head of the Minneapolis environmental consulting firm Sustainability Associates.

 

1st UNIVERSALIST:   APRIL 24 EVENT:   GLOBAL WARMING? LET'S COOL IT! 
                                                Returning keynote speaker J Drake Hamilton, Science Policy
 
First Universalist EcoMinds, formerly known as Environmental Concerns, invites you to our 2005 Earth Day celebration on April 24, after each service, 10:00am and 12:00am.  It¹s the 35th anniversary of the original Earth Day, a great time to celebrate.   3400 Dupont Ave. S., Minneapolis

Returning keynote speaker J Drake Hamilton, Science Policy Director for Minnesotans for an Energy-Efficient Economy will remind us of successes since the first Earth Day in 1970, including First Universalist¹s Wind Source program on Earth Day 2004   We¹ll have displays and action opportunities for addressing Global Climate Change, the UUA Study/Action/Issue for the next two years.

Be Cool, Be informed, Join us on April 24 at 10 or 12.

 

FUS:               Rep. Keith Ellison on Environmental Justice, 

                        John Saeger on Population Control, CF Bulb Sales, and MORE

                        April 24, 9:30 - 1:30

                        900 Mt. Curve, Minneapolis 

 

FORUM:  9:30 - 10:30  

Rep. Keith Ellison, state Rep. from north Minneapolis & founder of Environmental Justice Advocates of Minnesota (EJAM)  on Environmental Justice Issues in MN and in the 2004-05 Legislative Session 

Rep. Ellison and EJAM worked tirelessly to get the coal-burning energy plant in north Minneapolis converted to natural gas last year.  Recently, EJAM hosted Dr. Tyrone Hayes, in the news for his research tying the herbicide atrazine to frog deformities and endocrine/reproductive system dysfunction.  Come hear Rep. Ellison's perspective on pressing environmental justice issues in the city and state, and learn about important environmental bills.  Mr. Ellison is an effective leader, inspiring person, and dynamic speaker not to be missed.

 

ASSEMBLY - 10:30 - 11:30 

Sermon "What Makes Us Whole?" FUS student minister, Cary Eustis 

Second collection today will benefit EJAM.

 

SOCIAL HOUR - 11:30 - 1:30 Action, Lunch, & Learning

Stop by Action Tables where you can 
- sample & purchase compact fluorescent bulbs, (each prevents between 300,000 and 500,000 lbs of CO2 over its life span)

    - sign up for Xcel's Windsource program (electricity from clean windpower), and 
- write letters to legislators to support crucial environmental legislation.

12:00 Soup & Salad luncheon, with music and poetry $6.00 per person, $4.00 under 14, reservations not required, but are helpful, 612-377-6608

12:45 Lecture and Q&A with John Saeger, president of Population Connection (formerly Zero Population Growth). Topic: " Women's Empowerment and Population Stabilization" 

 

Call Jay Shahidi at 612-328-1913 or Madalyn Cioci at 612-926-5249 for more information.

 

D. Next EcoMinds Meeting- May 5, 7-9pm, First Unitarian Society

·  First Unitarian Society, 900 Mt. Curve, Minneapolis

·  Need childcare? Have agenda suggestions? Send requests to ecominds-contact [at] muusja.org

·  Pot-luck snacks, beverages served

 

Q1: Query: Should EcoMinds Plan a Summer Assembly at FUS? 

EcoMinds has been invited to plan and conduct a summer assembly in July or August at FUS on global warming or another environmental topic. The theme for the summer assembly series is Intentional Living. 

 

Your fearless leaders think this is a good opportunity for EcoMinds, and that a program put together for FUS, could then "travel" to other congregations as well.  If more EcoMinds vote for it than against it and 

4-5 people express interest in working on the assembly, we could do it.

 

WHAT DO YOU THINK? 

·  Do you think EcoMinds should undertake planning and conducting a summer assembly?

·  Would you be interested in working on it?

 

RESPOND BY MARCH 31:  Send response to Madalyn, joemadalyn [at] earthlink.net or call her, 612-926-5249. 

 

 

RELATED OPPORTUNITIES:

 

1. UUA Links to the NEW Seventh Principle Project Global Warming on-line discussion group and the Green Sanctuary Program

In response to the SAI "The Threat of Global Warming", the Seventh Principle Project (SPP) has established a new email discussion list.  Its purpose is to help UUs share information and the latest news about the causes and implications of global warming and appropriate strategies for individuals and congregations to combat its dangers. To join the news list go to: http://lists.uua.org/mailman/listinfo/globalwarming

To find out more about the Seventh Principle Project's Green Sanctuary Program, visit http://www.uuaspp.org/gspoverview.html

 

2. March 27th CNN special on Global Warming, with a Minnesota connection. 

(from J. Drake Hamilton of ME3)

 

CNN will be broadcasting an hour-long special about global warming called "Melting Point," which will air on Sunday, March 27 at 7PM CST and replay on Saturday, April 2nd at 7PM and 10PM CST.   This special will highlight the global warming impacts that are being felt right now by populations around the globe.

 

CNN worked with ME3's friend Barbara Freese to obtain documents related to Minnesota's 1993 environmental externalities case.  Barbara (the author of Coal: A Human History ) was with the MN Attorney General's office at that time.  The case involved a well-known climate skeptic who was forced to admit that he was receiving funds from fossil fuel industries.