Resources available for Quaker meeting houses in Vermont
Did
you know that foundational testimonies of the Quaker tradition as well as
the self-organized structure of the Society of Friends have been the strong
motivational forces pushing Friends to the forefront of the environmental
movement?
Crucial historical and contemporary testimonies of Peace, Simplicity, Equality,
Community, and Justice have profound connections to environmental consciousness
and preservation. These testimonies are all crucial to the idea of environmental
sustainability as it is an idea highly dependent on intergenerational and
intrageneration equity, sustainable use of resources among communities, and
environmental justice, which necessitate a degree of simplicity in one’s
living. Thus, the foundational beliefs and queries of the Quaker faith prepare
congregants with a unique and mutualistic relationship to the environment.
Furthermore, Quakers’ unique quality of being self-organized, rather
than directed from a denominational head or body, encourages the same type
of grassroots initiative necessary in the environmental movement. Finally,
this query-based faith benefits from the discussions that result, ascertaining
if one is following Quaker beliefs such as those declared in Society of Friends
Statement on Global Climate Change, which compelled Friends organizations
to seek Divine Guidance in understanding how to: reduce their use of energy
and material resources; support strong international agreements for reducing
greenhouse gas emissions; promote national policies for assuring energy and
resource conservation; participating in a transition to less damaging technologies
in our industries, agriculture, buildings and transportation. For full text
see: http://www.webofcreation.org/ncc/statements/sof.html;
for more info see: www.quakerearthcare.org
Many Friends congregations in Vermont have utilized these testimonials as
inspiration to get involved and respond to the Statement. Several, interviewed
by Middlebury College students in fall 2004 as part of a project with Vermont
Interfaith Power and Light, provide good examples of what you can do.
Congregants among the Friends Meeting House in Middlebury have sought to minimize their global impact by buying fuel efficient cars, are highly involved with the community in environmental initiatives, and have large vegetable gardens or farms. The congregation form study circles that discuss environmental issues of simplicity, equity, and climate change and have completed the 10% challenge, a test to see if you could reduce energy consumption in your personal life by 10%.
The Religious Society of Friends in Burlington connects their founding testimonials to environmentalism through the Earthcare Committee, which makes announcements of ecological issues in Meeting and in the newsletter. In recognition of their responsibility for their climatic impact, they have installed compact fluorescents, use a very efficient heater, use reusable dishware and napkins, and implemented a “tax” or donation of 10 cents per gallon purchased to the Meeting that will be donated to a climate-change non-profit organization.
See resources for other religious groups:
American
Baptist
Episcopal
Jewish
Roman Catholic
Society of Friends (Quakers)
United Methodist
Unitarian Universalist
Zen Buddhist
Questions or Comments? Contact us!
Interfaith Environmental
Awareness and Action in Vermont:
A
Service Learning Project with Vermont Interfaith Power & Light