Why are we so delighted with the mountains
“Why are we so delighted with the mountains, or so delighted with the sea, or so blessed and ecstatic at the sight of a butterfly? It is because that is where our greater Self is. The Great Self is not simply in this little being we call ourselves. Our greater Self is our True Self… We discover ourselves in each other. We discover ourselves in the rainbow. We discover ourselves in the various animals. We discover ourselves in this gorgeous planet in which we live.”
~~Thomas Berry, CP, (1914 – 2009) at Loyola University New Orleans Institute for Ministry Lecture: Recovery from Western Civilization and Greenville Interview
Berry was a Catholic priest, cultural historian, and scholar of the world’s religions, especially Asian traditions. Later, as he studied Earth history and evolution, he called himself a “geologian”. Berry believed that humanity, after generations spent in despoiling the planet, is poised to embrace a new role as a vital part of a larger, interdependent Earth community, consisting of a “communion of subjects not a collection of objects”
You have an open invitation to submit Creation care-centered quotes, reflection guides and resources for worship, holidays and holy days in your faith tradition to ICCTriangle@gmail.com. You are also invited to submit information about Creation care activities at your faith community.
Welcome, dear readers. In the midst of chaos and suffering in our country and the world, we can acknowledge our anxiety and grief on the one hand and our delight, even ecstasy, in our gorgeous planet on the other.
We encourage you to find the delight of coming together with kindred spirits at these wonderful and even rare occasions. There we will discover ourselves. Hope to see you soon.
Lynn
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Contents
- ICCT Convention Grounded in Hope, September 20th, 12 noon in Chapel Hill.
Register now to reserve your seat. See an overview of the Convention and an update on the availability of seats as well as new information on experts available at tables around the hall. Act now to invite your clergy and encourage Creation care and justice lovers at your congregation to carpool! - Involve youth in your congregation in a rare Creation care opportunity at Duke University.
Youth in your faith community are invited to join the Climate Bears from Hayes Barton United Methodist Church on Monday, Oct. 20th from 3-5 PM to visit a fascinating Duke University Lab that studies how plastics impact health and to participate in a Lab Olympics Event. - Join Kadampa Buddhist Center’s non-denominational full-day Healing Retreat
The Kadampa Buddhist Center at 5412 Etta Burke Court in Raleigh is hosting a non-denominational Healing Retreat at which the public can view a Sand Mandala for Healing and attend a full day healing retreat on Sunday, August 31.
(1) ICCT Convention Grounded in Hope, September 20th
The overview… Join kindred spirits as we connect with enlightening speakers, encounter one another by sharing our stories of Creation care, experience the natural world on a meditative walk, and find grounded hope in the face of ecological loss. See details on the speakers, schedule, lunch and registration here.
Announcing new information about tabling… We’re very pleased that some lunch discussion facilitators and other experts will also be setting up tables around the hall to share a wealth of information and conversation throughout the afternoon. Drop by to see them…
1. Chat with EV expert Shakaya Cooper of Gen180 about Electric Vehicles.2. Write a postcard with Helen Wolfson from Reclaim Our Vote and Susan Brooks from ICCT to help Get Out the Vote. Get info on hosting a postcard party at your congregation. Remember, without democracy, Creation care stalls.
3. Talk with a young leader from the Sunrise Movement about the NC Chapter’s “Utility Fairness Campaign” that advocates for energy market reforms and asks legislators to refuse taking money from Duke Energy.
4. Check in with ICCT’s Pat & Paul Kelly about…
- How to complete ICCT’s online survey about the earth friendly practices used by your congregation while connecting with other faith communities to learn more about adopting a new practice.
- The role of ICCT Liaisons to their faith communities and how to learn more and sign up.
5. Chat with Ashley Hilliard of Moms Clean Air Force about dangers to children from methane gas plants and chemical recycling and about the benefits of electric school buses.
6. Talk with Matt Fraley from Leaf & Limb about native plants and trees that protect ecosystems in urban settings.
7. Learn about the Recollective Community Compost Services available in the Triangle.
8. Book swap table – you’re invited to bring a book to swap
9. Book sale table – Gary Simpson and perhaps others will have copies of their books for sale.
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(2) Involve youth in your congregation in a rare Creation care opportunity at Duke University
by Carina Chiscano-Doyle, ICCT Youth Engagement and Steering Committee Member
Youth in your faith community are invited to join the Climate Bears from Hayes Barton United Methodist Church on Monday, Oct. 20th from 3-5 PM to visit a fascinating Duke University Lab that studies how plastics impact health and to participate in a Lab Olympics Event.
We encourage you to contact your congregation’s youth clergy and program coordinator to make this remarkable Creation care opportunity available to all interested students and their parents. Many schools in the Wake County, Chapel Hill and Carrboro systems have teacher workdays on October 20th. Students can earn volunteer hours for their participation.
The lab is where Dr. Jason Somarelli and his lab assistants have studied bacteria that break down plastics and tackle microplastics in the water. They have also investigated various potential impacts of plastic pollution in the oceans. Dr. Somarelli is an Assistant Professor of Oncology (study of cancer) at Duke University and has experience as a marine oncologist exploring ways in which plastics harm our health. You can read more about Dr. Somarelli and his work here.
Youth will take a 30-minute tour of the laboratory and learn how they make evaluations of human health and the risks imposed by marine plastic pollution. Following the lab tour, youth will embark on Lab Olympics for 1 hour where they will learn how to use day-to-day lab techniques using various lab materials. This fun experience and friendly competition offers all participants a practical insight into the world of research in our natural environment. They will learn to obtain lab data using various lab techniques involving: pipettes, parafilm, labeling, sample production, protocol, cell culture and genomes.
This is a youth event for ICCT, but anyone outside of ICCT is also invited. Any student and adult is invited to attend and the deadline to RSVP is Wednesday, October 1 to allow time for material preparations and logistics to be organized. Specific details for this event will be sent via email to registered participants. To register, please RSVP via email to Carina Chiscano-Doyle at cdoyle502@gmail.com.
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(3) Join Kadampa Buddhist Center’s non-denominational full-day Healing Retreat
The Kadampa Buddhist Center at 5412 Etta Burke Court in Raleigh is hosting a non-denominational Healing Retreat at which the public can come and view the creation of a Sand Mandala for Healing anytime throughout the days of Tuesday, August 26 through Friday August 29.
Then there will be a full day healing retreat on Sunday, August 31 which includes a Closing Ceremony for the Sand Mandala.
To help alleviate the dissatisfaction and pain caused by the many complications in our day to day lives, our precious geshes, Geshe Gelek and Geshe Sangpo, have offered to hold annual healing retreats at Kadampa Center. Each and every one of you are invited and encouraged to attend, thereby reaping the benefits of these ancient healing practices rooted in Buddhism. No experience is necessary and being Buddhist is not a requirement; you do not need to register, nor are there any fees in order to participate. The Healing Retreat is open to all; its purpose is to be of benefit to you and to all living beings.
Submitted for the Kadampa Center by Elise Strevel, ICCT Steering Committee.
