EARTHKEEPING NEWS A NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN COALITION FOR CHRISTIANITY AND ECOLOGY Volume Eight, Number One November/December 1998 NEW JERSEY PEQ INITIATES 'LEAD AWARENESS DAYS' In 1992, representatives of several faith groups formed the New Jersey Partnership for Environmental Quality (PEQ) as a response to the United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janerio. Member congregations have formed coalitions to address eco-justice problems. One example is the "Lead Awareness Days" conducted by two congregations in Newark whose members hosted a festival of games, crafts and a barbecue for residents of public housing, during which the City Department of Health tested the children, aged 6 months to 6 years, for lead poisoning. This model is being replicated by other PEQ members. It conducts educational activities in local congregations and events such as the conference on Sustainable Community at Drew University in1995, and most recently, the Environmental Sabbath in Trenton in October 1998. The PEQ Board is currently composed of persons from 14 faith traditions (including Jewish, Baptist, Quaker, Hindu, Islamic, Catholic, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Evangelical). A board of consultants includes twelve environmental experts concerned with the role of the faith community in developing an environmental ethic. PEQ is now incorporated as a tax-exempt charitable organization. From Pamela Frank, Executive Director, PEQ, Inc., 901 Route 10, Whippany NJ 07981-1156. For more information or a copy of the PEQ Views, call 973/ 884-4800 ext. 177; e-mail: peq@worldnet.att.net. Home     Table of Contents