Report on UCC Environmental-Justice Training Program

April 2012 and future events

Seattle Area and other locations in the future

 

We recently announced the exciting UCC environmental-justice training program that was initiated under Rev. Jim Deming’s leadership, April 20-22, in Seattle.  This is a train-the trainer initiative that helps participants find the faith foundation that motivates them to bring environmental justice back to their home communities and take action.

Rev. Deming reports that two more trainings have already been scheduled: October 16-18 for pastors (in the middle of the week) and November 16-18 for young adults.

Here’s Jim Deming’s report about how things went at the recent Seattle training:

"After our training in Seattle, I wanted to tell you how well received it was. All the participants gave it high marks and gave us good feedback that I will incorporate to make it even better. I presented the five themes or values – led by vignettes from RENEWAL -Friday night until noon on Saturday.

Renewal is right on target with the values that we espouse in the UCC, and I have based the new environmental justice curriculum on how the Biblical principles of our faith are so clearly apparent in Renewal.

On Saturday afternoon, we went to the Seattle port and got a tour of the problems with idling diesel trucks, non-union and racially-biased labor issues, and pollution in low-income neighborhoods. On Sunday morning, we engaged in a very deep conversation about environmental despair and then had a great section on taking it all back home, teaching a workshop, and then taking action. I was pleased with the progression and the tightness of the group as we worked to form our own community of support. I think everybody left energized and sober, but enthusiastically willing to join the movement.

Everyone was impressed with RENEWAL and was excited about bringing it to their communities, and each person got a copy to make it happen. I think we have a good process and I will do my best to spread the word that we are all in this together."