Connect Churches and Ecology

EARTHKEEPING NEWS
A NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN COALITION FOR CHRISTIANITY AND ECOLOGY

Volume Four, Number Four
March/April 1995

EUROPEAN AND CANADIAN GROUPS CONNECT CHURCHES AND ECOLOGY

CHRISTIAN ECOLOGY LINK

Christian Ecology Link (CEL ) has been linking British Christians of all traditions to the Green Movement in Europe and around the world since 1982. Its journal, Green Christians, is intended as a forum to reflect and contribute to current thinking on faith and ecology issues. The Nov.1994 - Jan. 1995 issue includes reports of 10 local CEL groups, and several international members. Topics of major stories include science and religion, bio-genetics, population, Christian environmental liturgy, and Christians and travelers (the Enclosures process that excludes more and more people from the English countryside). A recent call to action focused on lobbying the House of Lords to sign the Convention on Desertification.

In addition there is a one page report (CEL in Budapest) by Audrey Bryant on the fourth assembly of the Ecumenical Forum of European Christian Women. The European Ecumenical Forum, meeting in Budapest in 1994, brought together 300 women from all over Europe and Russia, including 28 national delegations, ready to vote on specific ways that women may work together for a safer, more peaceful and morally responsible world. Simultaneous translation was provided in English, French and German. Their work is implemented through three Forum Commissions: Ecology and Bio-Ethics; Justice and Peace; Theology and Spirituality.

Established in 1982, the Forum is supported by half a dozen ecumenical European organizations and many national churches.

For information on membership in CEL (£12) which includes subscription to Green Christians (subscription only £8), write Christian Ecology Link, FREEPOST, 204, Beulah Hill, London SE19 3BR.

CANADIAN COALITION FOR ECOLOGY, ETHICS AND RELIGION

The Canadian Coalition for Ecology, Ethics and Religion (CCEER), through conferences and its journal, Sacred Spaces, seeks to strengthen ecological values in the religious communities of Canada. The December 1994 issue reported on its seminar, Greening of Worship Buildings, attended by more than 80 religious leaders from Aboriginal, Anglican, Baptist, Catholic, Ukrainian Catholic, Christian Reformed, United, Hindu, Islamic, Jewish, Lutheran, Mennonite, Presbyterian, Salvation Army, Sikh and Unitarian traditions. Fourteen speakers covered a wide range of issues, such as designing energy efficient buildings, retrofitting and operating old structures to improve efficiency and avoid waste. The same issue included an article on ecological landscaping and a discussion of mid-winter festivals of different traditions.

To receive Sacred Spaces, six issues annually, send $20 to CCEER, Riky de Bakker and Freda Rajotte, Directors, 22 Carriage Bay, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2Y 0M5, 204/832-1882; FAX 204/885-6105.