Maybe you can pick us out among the 400,000 people who marched through Manhattan in the People’s Climate March September 21. We carried yellow signs that said “Another [grandfather, Buffalonian, anthropologist, Presbyterian] for Climate Action.” We were under the NY Interfaith Power and Light banner between the Buddhists and the Unitarians and Quakers. We all sang, “We are marching in the light of God,” and chanted, “What we want?” CLIMATE JUSTICE. When do we want it? NOW.” We milled around, standing in close quarters from before 11am until 2pm, when the interfaith contingent joined the march at Columbus Circle—2-1/2 hours after it started. We talked to folks who had come from North Carolina, San Francisco, Seattle, and St. Louis to march.

A whole day of standing up for climate justice from a faith perspective with friendly folks was an energizing experience, though at day’s end we skipped the block party with the college kids. We were ready to sit for a two-hour multi-faith service at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. The haunting music was by the Paul Winter Consort. The speakers ranged from Al Gore to Vandana Shiva, from Jim Wallis to several indigenous people, each speaking of how their faith tradition pushed them to renewed commitment to care for the earth’s climate. Arriving home to the news coverage, we already see responses from the financial sector.

Let us know if you would like to join the Earth Care Team at North Presbyterian Church. It is not part of the committee structure but is a loosely connected team that originated from different committees who worked on the solar project. We are connected by e-mail and meet once a year to brainstorm ideas the following program year. Come to our next meeting at 7pm, Wednesday, October 15, in the church library with your ideas for worship, outreach, education, and the building and grounds.

Bill and Pat Townsend