A faith leader colleague recently asked me why, with so much already going on in the faith community, we need to take advantage of this time when Pope Francis is in the US to amplify faith voices speaking out on climate change.
She has been a faithful climate leader for many years, one of many faith leaders across America who have been faithfully responding to the call for climate solutions, so she asked a good question.
When Pope Francis is in the US in September, His Holiness will bring increased attention to social justice, climate and creation care issues. We know from our friends at Faith in Public Life, that the top issues people want to hear the Pope speak on is poverty, racism, workers’ rights and income inequality. What they want to hear about least from Pope Francis is climate -- so faith leaders will play a vital role in bringing climate to the public dialog in a way that resonates with people.
As part of your response, we hope you will join us to celebrate and support Pope Francis’ visit and call for action on climate stewardship. EcoAmerica through the Blessed Tomorrow coalition, along with our partners Washington National Cathedral, Convergence, Faith in Public Life and Auburn Seminary will host Coming Together In Faith On Climate.
Coming Together in Faith on Climate Celebration
September 24, Washington National Cathedral
(3101 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20016)
7:30 – 9:00pm ET - Celebration program
Join national faith and climate leaders for prayer, praise, song and poetry at the National Cathedral to celebrate the Pope’s call for action on climate change. This is a free, but limited event which will be live-streamed and echoed at congregations nationally. RSVP your free tickets here.
Coming Together Religious Leadership Convening + Discussion
September 25, Washington National Cathedral
8:00 – 11:30am ET
Join prominent faith and climate leaders at the National Cathedral on Friday morning, Sept. 25, to watch (via video link) Pope Francis address the United Nations in NYC and discuss plans to build support for climate solutions in our congregations, communities and nation. RSVP here.
Learn more and sign up for all events here.
We will be joined by many faith leaders including:
Rev. Otis Moss III, is Senior Pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, IL.
Sister Simone Campbell, Executive Director of NETWORK, a member of the Sisters of Social Service, and widely known for leading the “Nuns on the Bus” tours.
Ebrahim Rasool is the former ambassador of South Africa to the United States and Georgetown University’s distinguished scholar-in-residence at the Al Waleed bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding.
Rabbi Steve Gutow, President of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs.
Rev. John Dorhauer is the new General Minister and President of the United Churches of Christ.
Rev. Sharon Watkins serves as General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada.
Rev. Dr. Geoff Tunnicliffe, Former Secretary General of the World Evangelical Alliance
Rev. Brian McLaren: author, blogger, speaker, and activist.
In response to and in collaboration with the Pope’s message, we will affirm five initiatives to continue our momentum throughout the fall and into 2016. Learn more here.
As leader, event speaker and Blessed Tomorrow Leadership Circle member Brian McLaren says, this is an opportunity for you to add your ‘amen’ to Pope Francis’ call for climate solutions. We do hope you will join us and share these events with your networks.
