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

Volume Ten, Number Three
March/April 2001

Do not quench the Spirit.
Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything;
hold fast to what is good;
abstain from every form of evil.

I Thessalonians 5: 19 - 22

IF YOU SHOULD WISH TO START AN EARTHKEEPING CIRCLE --

An Introductory Note from Rev. Finley Schaef, NACCE President

In the Earthkeeping Circle, NACCE offers a model that calls Christians to look at the world through the eyes of God's creation. As part of a continent-wide movement, it is our hope that Earthkeeping Circles, in monthly meetings, will develop a common language and understanding through a common body of songs and prayers, and a year-long lectionary of scripture readings.

In addition to prayer, singing, readings, reflection, food and fellowship, the Circle engages in study and planning. The following is NACCE's one-year Study and Action curriculum. There are four sections: The Bible, The Bioregion, Lifestyle and Earth action.

Please send your comments and critique of this curriculum to Rev. Finley Schaef, 87 Stoll Rd., Saugerties NY 12477; or <schaef@ulster.net>.

THE BIBLE AND NATURE

  1. The Creation Story
  2. The Law
  3. The Prophets
  4. The Wisdom Literature (incl. Job, Proverbs)
  5. The Cosmic Christ

Texts: [i] The Earth Bible, vol. 1, Readings from the Perspective of Earth, and vol. 2, Earth Stories in Genesis, Norman Habel, ed.; The Pilgrim Press, 2000
[ii] Reinhabiting the Earth by Mary Lou Van Rossum, Triumph Books 1994
[iii] The Coming of The Cosmic Christ by Matthew Fox, part iv, "Who Is The Cosmic Christ?", Harper & Row 1988

OUR BIOREGION

  1. Define and map our bioregion
  2. Walk our bioregion

Text: Boundaries of Home, Doug Aberley ed., with a section by Gene Marshall called "Mapping the Biosphere," and chapter 5 by Doug Aberley, 60 pages called "How to Map Your Bioregion, a Primer for Community Activists", New Society Publishers

OUR LIFESTYLES

Text: Simpler Living, Compassionate Life (A Christian Perspective) with Henri Nouwen and others, edited and compiled by Michael Schut, Living the Good News Press, Denver CO

AN EARTH RESTORATION OR EARTH DEFENSE PROJECT

  1. Research local hot spots and decide what to focus on
  2. Investigate local resources and activists
  3. Decide course of action
  4. Enlist allies

WHEN CHILDREN ARE INVOLVED

Text: Earth Child 2000, earth science for young children, games, stories, activities and experiments, by Sheehan & Waidner, Council Oak Books

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