Reading Review #5 - Jewish Response to Environmental Crisis Statement

A Jewish Response to Environmental Crisis

(can be found at: http://www.coejl.org/about/founding.php)

After reading the care of earth statement put out by the Jewish religion, my first impression is that it makes more sense than many other statements that I have read. The best thing, perhaps, that the Jewish social statement has going for them is that it is created in a well-formed argument indicating that we are not just to do the act of caring for the earth, but we are in dominion and are called to be caretakers (who we are) of the earth. They explain this well when they state the following:

“It is our sacred duty as Jews to acknowledge our God-given responsibility and take action to alleviate environmental degradation and the pain and suffering that it causes. We must reaffirm and bequeath the tradition we have inherited which calls upon us to safeguard humanity's home.”

One of the differences that I noticed with this understanding of their position in creation was that the statement focused on the pain and suffering that the escalating destruction of the environment causes. By focusing on how it affects humans, this statement is making a claim then that becomes more personal. In fact, it almost seems that, based on their focus, that the Jews should adapt the Christian saying “They will know we are Jews by our Love”.

I also appreciate that this social statement has goals and a plan in mind. When I read the ELCA social statement on creation, I felt that it was lifeless because there was not reasonable and tangible goals to be met. Now, whether or not each Jewish community is upholding to these goals and plans is probably a different story.

Lastly, like the other social statements that I have read, I appreciate that they acknowledge the other areas of their faith that need attention (poverty, keeping Israel safe, etc.) but also admit that this is just as an important issue and it will be added to the “list” of pertinent issues needing immediate attention.

As I finish reading the Jewish social statement (I chose this one because it’s not just another Christian statement with many of the same beliefs), it almost made me proud, or better yet, feel connected to these brothers and sisters of our faith. It’s amazing to me that we worship the same God, and there are certain things in life that unite us all under one God, and I think this issue of caring for the earth, and admitting that there is a problem that needs to be dealt with on a spiritual and faithful level because we are a part of God’s creation, unites us.

God works in incredible (and sometimes humorous) ways, and perhaps this is one way of uniting religions that otherwise disagree to care the our precious, and God-given creation as was intended.

Reading Review #4 - ELCA Environmental Care Social Statement

Well, I think this was a good bible study. Sadly, not much else. So many things were going through my mind as I was reading the social statement for the ELCA Caring for Creation. The first thing that came to my mind was – What’s the point? Let me explain.

If it hadn’t been for this class, I would have never heard of this social statement that came out. Now, I know from our retreat and visiting with that man who was on the board for writing this social statement, at least some people worked very hard and were very dedicated in adapting an understanding for our, as ELCA people, care of the creation. The problem with it is that no one knows about it!

I recently asked three of our pastors if they had heard of it, and they said “no”. Is this then an issue with the ELCA picking and choosing the topics that are “hot topics”? (As was the sexuality statement – with the big conference and the church meetings and the controversy surrounding it all) – or is it an issue that the environment isn’t something that people/churches care about?

To throw in a few good things that I liked about this social statement is that I liked how it laid out, in a biblical manner, what God’s creation is supposed to mean to us and how we as humans are supposed to play a role in this biblical understanding of creation. Like I said – it would be a good bible study!

I wish that this social statement had more passion, as I feel that is missing in many areas of ELCA ministry. Just imagine the possibilities! Churches made it a big deal to understand this social statement and held church meetings about it – and maybe pointed out where people are at fault and how people interpret the Bible differently – and how we need to be united as a church on this front because we are the body of Christ working for a single purpose! Who knows! Maybe even some people would leave the church over it! It seems to me that when people get passionate about something, and ONLY when people get passionate about something, starting with the creators of the social statement perhaps, then things start to change.

Thus far, I haven’t seen churches act upon caring for God’s creation that reflects this social statement. Sure, we’ve maybe switched from Styrofoam cups to real ones that need to be washed on Sunday mornings, but is that enough? Consider these few sentences from the ELCA social statement at hand:

“Human behavior may change through economic incentive, guilt about the past, or fear about the future. But as people of biblical faith, who live together in trust and hope, our primary motivation is the call to be God's caregivers and to do justice….We celebrate the vision of hope and justice for creation, and dedicate ourselves anew. We will act out of the conviction that, as the Holy Spirit renews our minds and hearts, we also must reform our habits and social structures.”

This can’t just be present in our congregations. Instead, our congregations need to be the starting point – the educator to our people – to truly make a difference in this world and in God’s creation. However, until we get passionate about God’s creation, or perhaps see how it affects our selfish lives that we lead, nothing bigger will result from it.

Don’t get me wrong – I’m not knocking it. In fact, I think the social statement is everything that we SHOULD be doing. It is written in a very biblical and “pretty” manner that lays out what perfect creation in a perfect world would be like. The problem is that we AREN’T doing it. Will this social statement make a difference? Or even be followed?? I would say only if we start to show some passion towards it, because no one else will be passionate about it if we, as leaders in the church, are not.

Book Review #3 - Living Downstream

And here it is. A book that acknowledges the idea that many of us have thought of, but have kept to ourselves, in hopes that it will all go away. Cancer and the causes. Before getting into the work of Steingerber, I think it is important to note my (and I would guess most people’s) preconceived notions and ideas of cancer. Well…to sum it up…I HATE IT!!! Not only have 98% of Americans been affected by someway with this illness (either themselves, or someone they know), but the medical field is moving much slower on preventing and treating it than we all would have hoped. Why are people still dying? Where are the millions of dollars going that is raised for research? Why have we been lied to and strung along to the point where we now think EVERYTHING causes cancer (or does it??). Ugh. Cancer SUCKS.

Ok, well, now that I’ve gotten that out of my system, I’ll tell you what I think about the book “Living Downstream”. I first have to admit that I throughrly enjoyed the data and research that was done by Steingerber and the hard solid medical facts. I’m a fact and data girl though, so I enjoy that stuff. My initial concern with this book is that it once again, just as we have been accustomed to, will give people false hope. Actually no, scratch that. My fear with this book is that it will give people little or no hope.

I think it is important to understand environmental issues that affect our lives, and perhaps could lead to cancer and I think Steingerber does a great job of bringing this to light. However, as I have been blogging about throughout this semester with environmental issues, I’m not sure that it is enough to just bring it to light. Will anyone change anything and if so, will that be enough? Or would we have to mandate that every person in the world read this book so that they can truly understand their actions and the environment to put an end to Cancer? Considering the latter isn’t very realistic, or possible, are we then all doomed? What does it take for the world to change, if in fact it is people’s doings that ultimately cause this awful illness, cancer, to end the lives of those we love?

It is clear throughout this book that Sandra Steingraber is appreciative and encouraging of the simple land that has not been touched, such as her own home in central Illinois. Ahh…if only our entire world could be like that then there would be no heartbreaking cancer. But we all know that this is not the case, nor will it ever be the case as long as we live in a sinful world full of money-hungry people seeking power, fame, and convenience.

Overall, I think what Sandra did in her book was to make the reader aware. Many issues that she researched and brought to attention are things that the average person (me) would never think twice of using/doing. Because it has become the norm in lifestyles and society, we don’t even know what to think is different or harmful to our land, and ultimately, to ourselves. Again, if only we could mandate everyone to read this book…they would know. But until then, I am just one person who will be a bit more aware of the environmental issues that surround me.

Book Review #2 - Simpler Living Compassionate Life

As far as a theological book, this book has a lot more of it in here than I would have first suspected. While it’s a practical book, it is also filled with law and gospel concepts, which is a great understanding to this issue and one that can be used to help us teach others (in a congregational setting) about simple living.

It was fun to have time to finish this book while on our retreat this weekend, where simplicity was at its bestJ Reading this book in such a context helps put things into perspective an also engages me (and excites me) that such a life...a worldview of this life…is possible.

I also appreciated that this book was more or less based on the idea of relational ministry. Considering I am a HUGE advocate of relational ministry, it caught my attention and helped me understand what role I had in “simple living” in regards to my ministry. What I mean by that is the fact that it is clear that the tone throughout the entire book is about people’s life stories and recognizing the value and sacredness in every single person’s life. By beginning with this foundation, we are able to understand each person in a communal and relational way, and the message then relates to and speaks to everyone on their own terms. It’s taking an issue and contextualizing it on an individual basis, which only can be done (through a ministry viewpoint) if relational ministry is done and we can truly understand someone’s life/story.

One aspect of this book that I think is missing, especially when discussing the concept of our time and really making it our own, is the expectations that are placed on us on many different levels. As Americans, we are expected to work hard and long hours. As a spouse, we are expected to devote our time and effort to our significant others and our families. As a parent, we are expected to do everything possible to make sure that our children are not only safe, but experience the most that they can in order to make them “well-rounded” human beings. As students, we are expected to complete all our work because we have paid lots of money for this education and we need to get the most out of it that we can (and pass our classes). As friends to others (living in relation to others), we are expected to maintain relationships, plan get-togethers, make time to have a drink or go out for coffee. You see, we have all these expectations that are placed upon us based on our “story” and while of course it is up to us as individuals to “slow down” and not be so committed, there is a sense of letting people down (thus, living in a relational and communal world) that fears us to the point of insanity.

So I guess that what I am saying in regards to this book is that there is a double standard. We are told throughout the book to slow down and find our fulfillment and simplify, yet is it possible to do so to this extent while we are relational beings with multiple expectations? On paper (in this book), it is a very perfect way of life that sounds glamorous. Unfortunately, I fear that in reality, it is not quite as clean cut or easy as it appears.

I fear that I have really only touched on two or so chapters of this reading, but those are the areas that are most important and/or troubling for me. Other areas of the book provided for good reminders (and re-energized excitement) for tangible ways to manage ourselves into simplicity, and, as a result, get back to the true understanding of finding out who we are as a part of God’s kingdom on this world.

Blog #5 - Post Retreat

What a great weekend. I have to admit that I came into the weekend a little…well….let’s just say not very excited. It really had nothing to do with the class or subject, but more along the lines that I had to be away from my husband for the weekend (weekends are valuable and rare for us), take time off of work and prepare for not being there on Sunday, and spend the weekend with a bunch of people I didn’t know. Well, personally, the weekend got better and better as it went on and not only were the people I met for the class great (perhaps even the first time I have felt any sense of community while being at Luther), but I definitely got a greater sense and respect for rural ministry. No…scratch that. I got a respect for rural ministry (didn’t really have any at all before this class).

Thinking about what we did and the activities we were engaged in, I’m not sure at what point this really happened. Maybe it was just merely the fact of being in such a context (first time for me), or the side conversations that happened while I was waiting to use the rest room at the farmer’s house, or the sense of pride that I felt from the older women the when talking to them in the church basement. I’ve always said God has a sense of humor and works in humorous ways, and perhaps this was that for me this weekend (just like I said I would never go to seminary…here I am!)

So, at any rate, what I’ve noticed in the past day or so of being home is that I have had a mind shift/attitude shift in my care of earth practice. Before our experience, my care of earth practice was something that seemed to be more of a chore and something I was doing just for the sake of class. However, something about seeing the earth in a different way, and being around ‘the farm’ where they truly do care about the earth and help us to understand it (saving water by reusing our napkins, helping us understand how much water we can save in the bathroom by doing certain things with their sign above the sink, etc.) put a new light on what a difference small things really do make! Before, I would often think: it’s just one cup. Is it really going to make a difference? But now I see that over time and if more than one person starts to care, a big difference is made through many “little” practices and people.

Anyway, if nothing else, I think my mind was opened and my attitude adjusted to how I think of our environment in many different ways. It seems that when I went to Starbucks this morning, I had a little more cheer/willingness in my self as I handed them my mug and asked “can you use this for my drink?”. It’s definitely a feel good moment in life;)

Blog #4 - Springtime...

Hmmm…not sure what to write about this week. It seems that based on my other weeks that I’ve had with my earth practice, this week has been pretty uneventful. I will admit though, that I have started to become more aware of certain things that have to do with our environment since I have been in this class.

I don’t know if it is the time of the year, or my mind being somewhat around the beauty of our creation, but as the snow has melted, I have noticed all the trash that is everywhere!!! Spring is supposed to be this great time of beauty and renewal, yet we are surrounded by the gross dirty trash that perhaps has been here all winter long but is just showing up now!

I have to admit (confession!) that I have thought to myself more than once “I wonder when the street sweepers/trash people are going to come and clean everything up”, but then I have to wonder “is that really in their job description?” and if it is, should it be?? Im sure many people out there are like me and don’t do anything about the problem, but wait for other people to come and fix it. Wow! What a concept! Think about that – Why do we wait for other people to fix things?? Why do we wait for other people to make things happen?? I’m not liking my mindset that I have here.

And then something happened two days ago. Three little girls in my neighborhood came over to me when I was walking my dog and asked if they could pet her. As they were playing with my little puppy, I asked them what they were up to today. They said that they got in trouble and so they all had to pick up trash around our neighborhood. With garbage bags in hand, they went about the task in a very energetic way and I asked them if I could help them clean up the stuff around my street? They were eager to show me how to pick up trash and put it in the bag (Of course, I acted as though I had never done it before).

Picking up trash is a punishment. I think there is some theological significance here. No one wants to pick up trash, but everyone is quick to pollute God’s creation and not think twice about it. At first, I was thinking that the problem was that we all think of picking up trash as a chore, or a consequence/punishment for when we are bad! But that is exactly what it is. It’s a matter of people not being pro-active in their understanding of the care of the earth in the first place and so we are left to pick up other people’s trash as a consequence…hmmm….and again I return to my question from last week: How do we change that mindset of not just one person, but every person who helped make our early spring days filled with trash filled streets? Until next time, I’ll continue to ponder and seek an answer;)

Blog #3

I just returned yesterday from a trip to Florida with my cousins, and had my first experience of my “go green on the road”. I suppose it was a good experience for me, because I travel. A lot. And I love to travel.

I now feel that I have upgraded my “mugs”. I have one for hot drinks and one now for cold drinks! They are really starting to grow on me, I must admit. I brought them with me to Florida and realized an interesting thing on our daily coffee visits to Starbucks (yes, my cousins are as bad as I am…I blame my grandma for making us all love coffee so muchJ). Florida (Naples, to be exact) was one of those cities that you are in where you just feel different about the environment and environmental issues. I’ve experienced a similar vibe in other cities such as Seattle, Portland, Boulder, and even parts of Denver. What I mean by this is that everyone in these certain cities are actively (and outwardly!) involved in environmental issues. There are recycling cans in places you would never expect them, there are signs up, people have altered their lifestyle in a way that it shows when they are just out and about. Call it “hippy” or “green-friendly” or whatever you want it, but I couldn’t help but wonder what makes a certain city (an Entire city!) this way?

And then of course I got to wondering, as leaders in the church, is it even worth trying to get our congregation on board with helping the creation? Is that where we should start? I’m not so sure. I can’t believe (not trying to be a pessimist here) that these known cities (mentioned above) that are into saving the environment or are environmentally conscience became so by a church starting their members, or teaching their members to be so. This seems like a much bigger thing, and unfortunately, we can teach and preach all we want in the church, but there is still something that makes people one way when they are at church and in the building, and another entirely different person when they are at work, in their community, or with their friends.

I would be interested to learn and find out what started these such cities to get this way. How is it that everyone (or a majority of people) who live in these cities all think the same way and are worried or care enough about the environment to change things in their life and be outwardly caring about this creation?

I would be interested to hear what people think about this? In order for a real impact to be made in a city, does it have to be a big thing across the board? Or should we stick to our own congregations and hope that they spread their good works? Has anyone lived in any of these cities in our nation that are known as “environmentally friendly” or “hippy” as some people like to call them? What was it like? How was your mindset formed (or was it?). Is it just a show or is there genuine concern?

Those are my thoughts for this week. Until Next time…I have my coffee mug in hand. (Well, 2 mugs actually!!)