EARTHKEEPING NEWS A NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN COALITION FOR CHRISTIANITY AND ECOLOGY Volume Eleven, Number Six September/October 2002 WORKING? OR JUST WATCHING? A message from Rev. Finley Schaef, NACCE President We humans are struggling to save our souls, and if we lose we may take the whole life-giving planet down with us. As love and avarice contend in our hearts, the world is in peril at our hands. The times in which we live are a formidable challenge, and the task before us can be described in many ways: "Communing with nature" "Restructuring human life to a more integral relationship with the planet" (Thomas Berry); "Shifting from a carbon-based to a hydrogen-based energy economy." (Lester Brown) ; "Moving from the Cenozoic Era (in which we humans were born & raised) into either the Techno-zoic Era, in which we will self-destruct, or the Eco-zoic Era, in which we will live happily" (Thomas Berry). Whatever name we give, it amounts to preserving life on Earth. The task is huge and everyone is needed. When we survey the condition of our planet, as bad as things seem, it appears as though we are approaching a threshold that may break in favor of Mother Nature. Some refer to this moment as a "paradigm shift," meaning a radical change in how we see the world, and consequently how we live in it. We know what to do to halt Earth-destruction and we possess the ever-improving technology to do it. The only doubt in the minds of the wisest is this: Is there time? The answer is Yes, but with one crucial condition — Everybody must participate. This paradigm shift is not a spectator sport. We are all responsible for the future. In response to this mandate that comes from Reality itself, the NACCE, traditionally a sponsor of national conferences, is venturing into a grassroots project. We want to stimulate the formation of local Christian "Earthkeeping Circles" across the continent, for meditation, study, mutual aid, and action. These support groups will endeavor to engage the dangers and the opportunities of the environmental crisis facing the human race. Lester Brown of the Earth Policy Institute (www.earthpolicy.org) expresses the urgency like this: "Do we join together to produce an economy that is sustainable? The choice will be made by our generation, but it will affect life on our planet for all generations to come." Getting started — A person trained in facilitating the NACCE small group model will work with a local leader to recruit members and conduct monthly meetings as an "Earthkeeping Circle." Circle members will meet between the monthly meetings for mutual aid and to explore their bioregion on foot. Each meeting begins with a reading of a section of The Earth Charter. Bible readings from the lectionary will be analyzed to discern their relevance to love for the natural world. Going around the circle to hear the members' stories is top priority. When decisions are being made, consensus is preferable, but traditional parliamentary rules are a necessary backup, with one important exception: two-thirds of those present constitute a majority. An offering is taken for expenses. The Earthkeeping Circle governance will always be democratic. For the proposed curriculum, and more on Earthkeeping Circles, see our website archives, www.nacce.org. As of this printing, we are meeting with the council of a local United Methodist Church in Woodstock NY to get our first circle organized, and we will soon be organizing a second circle in Woodstock for artists (unchurched). For more, contact: Rev Finley Schaef, 845/246-0181, schaef@ulster.net Home     Table of Contents