Sister Joan Brown: Will we allow the spiritual wisdom of the young to lead us?

/in , , , , /by

Following is an excerpt of an opinion piece that Sister Joan Brown, executive director of New Mexico and El Paso Region Interfaith Power & Light wrote in the Gallup Independent.

“..while sometimes we feel despair heavy in the air from many fronts we also see around us signs of hope and spiritual wisdom to guide us. I believe our young people are great partners in our great spiritual work we are given in this time – to address climate justice and care Our Common Home.”

The young, who in recent years have strongly urged us to act, will only inherit the planet we choose to leave to them, based on the concrete choices we make today. – Pope Francis’ written message to world leaders at COP26, Nov. 2, 2021 The UN Glasgow climate meetings that just ended hold only a few bright spots of action forward to limit carbon reductions to address harm already happening. One of those lights that cannot be missed is the engagement of young people from around the world.

But, the question remains, will the world listen to the spiritual wisdom of the younger generations to care for Our Common Home and all living beings whose lives are at stake? 

Young people of many faith traditions were present the last two weeks in Glasgow and their pleas to reduce carbon by phasing out fossil fuels were heard in the streets and halls of the conference. Their words and banners focused on “loss and damage,” care for the forests, and hearing the voices of the most vulnerable countries and peoples.

Listening to their presentations to world leaders and the many videos they created and prayer services they spoke at, I was reminded of Jesus and the children. He commanded the disciples, the leaders around him, to “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kindom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Read full article

COP 26: The Earth is the Lord’s

/in , , , , /by

 Rev. Vy Nguyen,  Executive Director for Week of Compassion (the relief, development, and refugee ministry for the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ) offers today’s reflection from the COP-26 summit in Scotland.  He is a member of IPL Board of Directors.

Here is an excerpt

The mission of Week of Compassion is to alleviate suffering, and it is becoming more and more apparent that a growing climate crisis causes significant suffering for God’s children around the world. That is why, along with our ecumenical and interfaith partners around the world, we are committed to supporting climate resilience programs. Where some of the world’s most vulnerable communities already struggle to survive under the burdens of a shifting environment, our combined efforts help provide hope and stability.

“The earth is the Lord’s, and all that is in it,” the Psalmist proclaims. As global leaders and voices of faith continue to remind us, that is good news. In this moment, it is also a call to prayer, to care, and to action. We hold in prayer all those world leaders gathered in Glasgow for this timely and critical conversation on climate action, and we pray for all people of faith, around the world, who will work together in the season ahead to ensure the continued thriving of the earth.

Read full reflection

COP 26: A Path Forward in the Global Climate Crisis

/in , , , /by

Interfaith Power & Light is showing up in a big way at the Glasgow Climate Talks! The organization has  faith leaders “on the ground” and working remotely. IPL executive director, Rev. Susan Susan Hendershot, will be writing regular blog posts from the COP 26 gathering. Here is an excerpt of her initial post.

“As I reflect on the idea of hope, I think about the very clear way that I felt it earlier today. I attended an Interfaith Prayer Vigil with IPL Board member Vy Nguyen and United Methodist representative John Hill in Glasgow’s George Square, where speakers from multiple spiritual traditions, including Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist, Hindu, Pagan, and many others, led us in prayer and reflection from their tradition on care for Earth, our common home. Our traditions are different, and some would use this as a way to divide us. But it is in our solidarity, our common humanity, that we can make a path forward in this crisis. That is cause for hope.”

Read Full Post