A note of explanation from the Chair of the Diocesan Eco-Justice Unit, the Reverend Margaret Marquardt
This is an invitation from an Interfaith environmental group though Kairos Metro Vancouver.
This is a public event to witness to the care of creation from folks from religious communities leading up The United Nation Climate Summit in Glasgow Scotland beginning Oct. 31/21. I can be reached by email for any questions.
Dear KAIROS Metro Vancouver area friends,
Vancouver Greenfaith is an inclusive, grassroots interfaith collective united by faith in humanity and justice. We aspire to exemplify peaceful and diverse community engagement for ecological and social justice via spiritual practice. As part of Greenfaith International, our vision is to unite and support all human beings who sense the existential threat of climate change and extinction; to honour the wisdom of all faith traditions; and to celebrate the diversity of care that we see expressed as such. We subscribe to GreenFaith International's 10 Climate Demands, with added emphasis on respect for indigenous rights and cancellation of new and current expansions of fossil fuel infrastructure.
Please join us. As one of over 250 events around the world, this action will apply pressure on world leaders, including Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, as they prepare for the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow. By uniting spiritual communities locally and around the world, this day of action aims to generate a collective awakening that honours the sacredness of Mother Earth and the dignity of all beings. Together, we will build resilient, caring communities and economies that meet everyone’s needs and protect the planet. May the era of conquest, extraction, and exploitation give way to cooperation and community
Opportunities for Involvement:
Please contact VancouverBC_Greenfaith@protonmail.com if you can help:
- On the day: our small team can use all the help we can get! Support is needed on everything from helping to create/ hold the space, coordinating/ holding up banners and placards, ensuring good photographs, amplifying on social media, and general support.
- Wisdom: what does your faith tradition offer to this existential crisis? If you have something to share (teaching/ verses/ music/ ceremony/ other), please email us a description by Oct. 11 so we can consider it for the program. Offerings of under 10 minutes will be considered. We cannot ensure all offerings will be possible and will be in touch via email in advance of the event.
- Music: if you wish to contribute music (interactive or performance), please email us a description by Oct. 11. Offerings of under 10 minutes will be considered.
- Garb: One big message from this day of action is that we are people of faith, so please wear your traditional/ religious/ ceremonial garb, as appropriate.Donations: we will be collecting donations as honoraria to our Indigenous friends and supporters.
Acknowledgement: These events take place on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish people, including those of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) Nations.
