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Greetings!
In a 2012 article Mallory McDuff, Ph.D., author of Sacred Acts: How Churches are Working to Protect Earth's Climate and Natural Saints, wrote: 
"National organizations such as Interfaith Power & Light collaborate daily with believers who understand the science of climate change and the religious values of love and justice for all. Putting faith into action, congregations have addressed climate change by creating church gardens, putting solar panels on the roofs of synagogues, decreasing energy consumption in religious facilities, and advocating for state legislation against coal-fired power plants. Preaching about global warming on Valentine's Day weekend is just another example of a sacred act."
Once again this year, we have the opportunity to be a part of this sacred act of love the weekend before Valentines Day, showing love for creation and championing a better world for tomorrow's child. We hope you will join Interfaith Power and Light's National Preach-In on Global Warming and send a valentine postcard to President Obama! For more information, go to www.preachin.org
Let's show our love for the Earth this Valentine's Day.
In faith,
Sara Ward
Director
Click here for the Valentine Postcard to President Obama. You can copy it and mail to President Obama. Encourage others to share this Valentine message of love!
A Sign-On sheet is also available to circulate in your congregation. Click Here!
"Love all God's creation, the whole and every grain of sand of it. Love every leaf, every ray of God's light. Love the animals, love the plants, love everything. If you love everything, you will perceive the divine mystery in things. Once you perceive it, you will begin to comprehend it better every day. And you will come at last to love the whole world with an all-embracing love."
-Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov
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Postcard to the President
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Text from the (above) attached Valentine Postcard to President Obama:
Photo Credit: LA Times
As a person of faith, I am asking you to please act boldly to protect the climate in your second term. As you acknowledged on the night you won re-election, "we must protect our children from the destructive power of a warming planet." We can do this while growing our economy by speeding the transition to clean energy, limiting carbon pollution, and supporting vulnerable people who need assistance. The U.S. must exert global leadership as well by sharing clean technology with the developing world, protecting global forests, and supporting climate refugees. Please make this your lasting legacy.
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In the context of a rapidly changing climate, the Sierra Club and 350.org are co-sponsoring the Forward on Climate Rally to demand that President Obama creates a strong climate policy. The rally will take place in Washington, DC, during Presidents Day weekend, Sunday, February 17. With President Obama about to begin his second term, it is critical that he hears from his constituents about the importance of championing strong climate policy.
To take a bus to Washington DC from Ohio with other rally participants click here.
For more information about the Forward on Climate Rally, see the promotional video on youtube here.
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A New Facebook Page To Like
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Ohio's Clean Air Coalition now has a Facebook page. Click here and LIKE Clean Air!
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We are pleased to offer this webinar again in February. Encourage your members to join the webinar after the Preach-In so your congregation can continue a discussion about climate change.
A Climate of Change in Ohio: Science, Health, and Our Response
February 21, 2013
7:00-8:00 pm
Presenter: Leanne M. Jablonski, FMI, PhD.
What evidence is there of climate change in Ohio? What impacts are scientists seeing on our ecosystems, agriculture and health? What are the connections between global warming, air quality, renewable energy and policy solutions? Drawing on scientific evidence and Union of Concerned Scientists reports, Dr. Jablonski will overview climate change impacts in the heartland and offer examples of actions that can be taken individually, in our faith communities, and workplace practices.
For more information, visit our website here.
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National Recognition for Greening Your Congregation
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In September 2011 at the Greening Congregations through Energy Efficiency conference, the White House announced a first-of-its-kind public recognition opportunity for houses of worship. Recognition will be provided when energy efficiency milestones are achieved.
We can help you receive the national recognition from the White House for your house of worship as you take steps to reduce your energy usage or earn the EPA's ENERGY STAR certification. OhIPL's Technical Consultant, Craig Foster, will share information with you about OhIPL's Energy Stewards and Energy Audits for Houses of Worship and get you on the path to Green your Congregation! Click here for more information.
"The care of the Earth is our most ancient and most worthy, and after all our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it and to foster its renewal is our only hope."
-Wendell Berry
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Visit the Mahoning Valley and See Food Justice in Action!
Here is your chance to help restore creation by creating a sustainable food community.
During this service week you'll:
- Work alongside community members, farmers, and kids growing fresh produce
- Explore justice and stewardship in the Bible
- Learn the truth about our food system; and
- Realize your ability to make positive change!
Click here for Flyer
Clickhere for FAQ
Episcopal Lenten School
The Lenten School's purpose is to bring together members of the various Episcopal Churches in the Columbus Deanery in order to promote collegiality and offer excellent education. A workshop on Creation Care will be offered this year. Click here for flyer.
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Welcome Sara as our Seminary Intern!
Sara Cogsil is a senior graduate student at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus pursuing a Master of Divinity. She is currently involved with the on-campus group known as SEEDS that works to bring environmental awareness and advocacy to the seminary community. Sara grew up in Cambridge, OH and found her love for the outdoors spending a lot of her youth at Salt Fork State Park.
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Be a kid again!
 There may be a blast or two left from Old-man Winter this year. When your neighborhood is hit with a snow storm, look back to your youth, and try to remember how fun snow days were. Take your kids (or just yourself) sledding. When you come home, cozy up with a childhood classic, like The Lorax or The Giving Tree, and indulge in some chocolate (Fair Trade of Course)! Be a kid again, and share the best memories of your childhood with your children.
Energy Savings Tip of the Day:
Instead of buying Valentine's Day cards from the big-box store in town, make your own! This will not only save you money, but is better for the planet! It can be a fun craft to share with your kids, and hand-made cards always make one of the best gifts! While you're making cards for your family and friends, why don't you also make a handful for the veterans staying at the local VA hospital or those in a nursing home? While you're at it, why don't you get your child's class or school involved?! Can you imagine the tears of joy when a nursing facility receives hundreds of hand-made Valentine Day cards for the people in their care?!
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Ohio Interfaith Power and Light
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Ohio Interfaith Power and Light
6230 Busch Blvd, Suite 430
Columbus, Ohio 43229-1879
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