REGISTER FOR LYFE 

LYFE III
this summer at
North Van Outdoor School   and Quest University
Squamish 

After two successful years with week-long sessions at Brew Creek Lodge, LYFE is moving down Valley to Squamish for  the August long weekend.

We have space this summer for 50 young adults from all faith and spiritual traditions to explore with us what Faith Communities and People of Spirit teach us about caring for the Earth we all share  - and the practical ways we can take a lead and make a difference.

Go online to www.whistlerLYFE.org to   download the registration form or email info@whistlerLYFE.org   

 

LINKS

Forum on Religion and Ecology . “The Forum on Religion and Ecology is the largest international multireligious project of its kind. With its conferences, publications, and website it is engaged in exploring religious worldviews, texts, and ethics in order to broaden understanding of the complex nature of current environmental concerns.” Founded in 1998 and based in Pennsylvania. Retrieved August 7, 2006, from http://environment.harvard.edu/religion/.

Forum on Religion and Ecology Links to Engaged Projects
"Engaged projects in religion and ecology refers to the activities of community organizations and religious institutions that are inspiring and grounding environmental concerns in practical programs, outreach, and education. These projects generally incorporate religious traditions as part of their environmental philosophy drawing on particular scriptures, symbols, and rituals. Engaged projects range from Learning Centers and Retreat Centers to Organic Farms and Alternative Energy Communities."
Buddhist Engaged Projects
Christian Engaged Projects
Confucianism Engaged Projects
Daoism Engaged Projects
Hinduism Engaged Projects
Indigenous Engaged Projects
Islam Engaged Projects
Jainism Engaged Projects
Judaism Engaged Projects
Shinto Engaged Projects

Interfaith Environmental Organizations

Alliance of Religions and Conservation . “ARC is a secular body that helps the major religions of the world to develop their own environmental programmes, based on their own core teachings, beliefs and practices. We help the religions link with key environmental organisations – creating powerful alliances between faith communities and conservation groups.” Founded in 1995 and based in Bath, England. Retrieved August 2, 2006 from http://www.arcworld.org/.

Center for Respect of Life and the Environment . “The Center for Respect of Life and Environment was founded in 1986 to foster an ethic of compassion toward all sentient beings and respect for the integrity of nature. This ethic urges each of us to expand our moral concern to future generations; to poor, oppressed and disenfranchised human beings; to animals, plants and the earth as a whole. With a particular focus on higher education and religious institutions, the Center promotes a humane and sustainable future for all members of the earth community.” Based in Washington, DC. Retrieved August 7, 2006 from http://www.crle.org/.

The Earth Charter Initiative . "The Earth Charter is a declaration of fundamental principles for building a just, sustainable, and peaceful global society for the 21st century. Created by the largest global consultation process ever associated with an international declaration, endorsed by thousands of organizations representing millions of individuals, the Earth Charter seeks to inspire in all peoples a sense of global interdependence and shared responsibility for the well-being of the human family and the larger living world. The Earth Charter is an expression of hope and a call to help create a global partnership at a critical juncture in history." Founded 2000 and based in Costa Rica and Stockholm, Sweden. Retrieved August 15, 2006 from http://www.earthcharter.org/.

Faith and the Common Good . “As peoples of differing faiths and cultures who call Canada home, we affirm common values of justice, peace, participation, human rights, ecological inter-relationship, and compassion as cornerstones of a healthy society. At the same time, we unite to resist exploitation, violence, greed, and all abuses that hinder personal, social, and ecological well-being.” Based in Toronto, Ontario. Retrieved August 7, 2006 from http://www.faith-commongood.net/.

GreenFaith . "GreenFaith is New Jersey's interfaith coalition for the environment. Founded in 1992 as PEQ, we inspire, educate and mobilize people of diverse spiritual backgrounds to deepen their relationship with the sacred in nature and restore the environment for future generations." Retrieved August 7, 2006 from http://www.greenfaith.org/. Our Center Profile on GreenFaith is available here . Interfaith Climate Change Network . ICCN "is a collaborative effort of the Eco-Justice Working Group of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA and the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life. The ICCN's goal is to pursue justice for the poor around the world and protect all life on Earth by taking action to address global climate change. We hope that you'll become part of the network and make your voice heard in our campaign to protect the Earth's climate.” Based in Washington, DC, with individual state offices. Retrieved August 9, 2006 from http://www.protectingcreation.org/.

Interfaith Coalition for the Environment . “The Interfaith Coalition for the Environment is a charitable, grassroots organization of men and women, lay and ordained, from various religious and spiritual traditions who believe that care for Creation and environmental justice are important matters common to us all. We promote projects, programs and activities to help our members and others of faith recognize and act on these beliefs.” Founded in 1998 and based in Maryland. Retrieved August 9, 2006 from http://www.interfaith-coalition-for-the-environment.org/.

Interfaith Power and Light and The Regeneration Project . “We are an interfaith ministry devoted to deepening the connection between ecology and faith. Our goal is to help people of faith recognize and fulfill their responsibility for the stewardship of creation. Specifically, the IPL campaign is mobilizing a national religious response to global warming while promoting renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation. People of faith have an opportunity to put their faith into action and help reduce the devastating effects of global warming.” Founded in 1998 and based in California. The IPL Project is a nationwide initiative of the Regeneration Project to make houses of worship energy-efficient. Over 20 states have IPL organizations, which are listed at http://www.theregenerationproject.org/State.htm . Retrieved August 9, 2006 from http://www.theregenerationproject.org/.

National Religious Partnership for the Environment . “Guided by biblical teaching, the Partnership seeks to encourage people of faith to weave values and programs of care for God's creation throughout the entire fabric of religious life.” Founded in 1993 and based in Massachusetts. Retrieved August 8, 2006 from http://www.nrpe.org/.

Religious Witness for the Earth . RWE "is a national interfaith network dedicated to public witness in defense of Creation. Seeing climate change and environmental devastation as issues of justice, RWE invokes the loving spirit, selfless courage, and moral authority of the civil rights movement. Through prayer, education, and nonviolent action, we join hands to protect the Earth, our beloved home.” Founded in 2001 and based in Massachusetts. Retrieved August 9, 2006 from http://www.religiouswitness.org.

Web of Creation . “The Web of Creation was established to foster the movement for personal and social transformation to a just and sustainable world from religious perspectives. The Web of Creation has also been developed to provide information and connections for Theological Students interested in environmental ministry.” Based in Illinois. Retrieved August 9, 2006 from http://www.webofcreation.org.

Faith-Related Publications by Environmental Groups

Building Faith in the Environment . Nancy Ann Dawe. Article from American Forests magazine that gives an overview of the religious-environmental movement. “Religious groups, like those with MassReleaf Ministry bring a unique perspective, and a history of hands-on successes, to the movement to care for the Earth.” 2005. Retrieved August 9, 2006 from http://www.americanforests.org/productsandpubs/magazine/
archives/2005summer/feature1_1.php.

Press release for "Ethics for a Small Planet" . The Biodiversity Project. “The Biodiversity Project is part of a growing movement in both the environmental and faith communities that hopes to bring about lasting reform in how people view the natural environment. Ethics for a Small Planet contributes to that effort by explaining how religious and moral values of the world's many cultures play a fundamental role in responding to environmental concerns.” Portions of the book are available online. 2006. Retrieved August 9, 2006 from http://www.biodiversityproject.org/pressreleaseethics.htm.

EarthDay In A Box . EarthDay 2006 featured outreach to religious communities. Many downloads are available on this site, including the PDF of Religious EarthDay In A Box . Retrieved August 8, 2006 from http://www.earthday.org/resources/2006materials/EarthDay-in-a-Box.aspx.

Other Resources

Daedalus , the Journal of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences: "Religion and Ecology: Can the Climate Change?" . This issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences features 15 articles on the topic of Religion and Ecology. Fall 2001. Retrieved November 7, 2006 from http://www.amacad.org/publications/fall2001/fall2001.aspx.

ReligionandNature.com . “ReligionandNature.com was established by Bron Taylor, editor of the Encyclopedia of Religion and Nature, to facilitate its development. With its publication in 2005, the site is becoming a gateway for further scholarly initiatives, inquiry, and debate.” Founded in 2005 and based in Florida. Retrieved August 8, 2006 from http://www.religionandnature.com/.

Religion and the Environment: Syllabi and Teaching Resources . Collection of syllabi from college courses taught on environmental-religious topics. 2006. Retrieved August 8, 2006 from http://www.wabashcenter.wabash.edu/Internet/environment.htm. Theology Library: Environmental Justice . Collected readings on issues of environmental justice assembled by Spring Hill College's Theology Library. Retrieved November 7, 2006 from http://www.shc.edu/theolibrary/environ.htm.

Prepared by Student Researcher Emily Ronald
Updated on August 18, 2006
All contents copyright © 1997–2007
President and Fellows of Harvard College and Diana Eck. All rights reserved.

ADDITIONAL LINKS

http://www.arcworld.org/ .

http://www.crle.org/

http://www.faith-commongood.net/ .

http://www.greenfaith.org/

http://www.protectingcreation.org/ .

http://www.interfaith-coalition-for-the-environment.org/ .

http://www.theregenerationproject.org/

http://www.nrpe.org/ .

http://www.webofcreation.org .

http://www.creationcare.org/

We learn from each others faiths, hopes, beliefs and the The Earth Charer :

"We stand at a critical moment in Earth's history, a time when humanity must choose its future. As the world becomes increasingly interdependent and fragile, the future at once holds great peril and great promise. To move forward we must recognize that in the midst of a magnificent diversity of cultures and life forms we are one human family and one Earth community with a common destiny. We must join together to bring forth a sustainable global society founded on respect for nature, universal human rights, economic justice, and a culture of peace. Towards this end, we, the peoples of Earth, declare our responsibility to one another, to the greater community of life, and to future generations"

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