EARTHKEEPING NEWS A NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN COALITION FOR CHRISTIANITY AND ECOLOGY Volume Four, Number Two November/December 1994 YOUTH PLAN EARTHDAY ACTIVITIES FOR THEIR CONGREGATIONS Report by Board members Susan Bower and Elizabeth Dyson on the NACCE Youth Ecology Conference, Oceanside CA. Over 100 youth and adult leaders from 18 congregations (Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist, Catholic, Congregational) gathered at the Oceanside Presbyterian Church on a beautiful Saturday in September to make plans for celebrating Earth Day in their own churches. Among the projects: a celebrity surfing contest; pre-Earthday games — aluminum can towering, and trash bag relay; creating a giant Earth ball; seeding and planting on new church property; a nature hike; an energy fast; a music fest; initiating recycling in the church; a youth led worship service. In addition to ten workshops, the program featured as opening speaker, high school sophomore Tara Church, founder and president of Tree Musketeers, an award winning environmental activist group, run entirely by kids. The group is sponsoring the Second By-Kids National Partners for the Planet Youth Summit in Snowbird, Utah, July 5-9, 1995. Adults are welcome if accompanied by at least one kid. In her workshop on eco-justice, Robin Cannon told how she and her neighbors have brought about positive changes in one of the most polluted and poorest areas in America, South Central Los Angeles. Fifty-two groups have formed there, each one encompassing 50 city blocks, each working on its own goals, but as a part of a Coalition of Concerned Citizens. Earth Sunday is April 23, the Sunday after Easter, a unique opportunity for youth to offer the pastor the day off, and to conduct a worship service on Care of Creation and the Future For our Grandchildren. According to workshop leader Peter Moore-Kochlacs, Sunday worship services reach more people than all other congregational events. If youth lead the service, people will listen more than if the pastor were to lead it. This first NACCE sponsored Youth Ecology Conference was organized by a regional ecumenical committee, led by Pamela Marino. Plans are under way to repeat the conference next year, and replicate it elsewhere. For more information, write Pam Marino, 5162 Maple, Irvine CA 92715, 714/786-0969. For more information on the By-Kids Youth Summit, write Tree Musketeers, 136 Main St., El Segundo CA 90245, 310/322-0263. Home     Table of Contents