Environmental Action Initiative Meeting Minutes 1/12/2020 Parish House
Present: Julie (leader), Kent (scribe), Melinda, Gary
Background
At the initiative of Peter Sexton, this was the first face-to-face meeting of congregants interested and concerned about organizing activities related to the looming environmental crisis. Goal of the meeting was to share ideas about possible initiatives and activities. We didn’t get the turnout we expected for the meeting, but we believe this was in part because there was confusion about the location of the meeting as well as other competing meetings. There will be further follow-up and discussion at Theology on Tap on Wednesday evening.
Discussion Items
Consider if there is a more appropriate name for our activities other than Environmental Action Subcommittee.
Point made that there are not just social concerns but also spiritual and other dimensions
Suggestion made that this could be an initiative that all other committees might contribute to, starting with CAC and ARE. Those present liked the idea of calling this an initiative rather than a committee.
Proposed name: Environmental Action Initiative. All present supported.
Consider choosing a chair.
No conclusions, but point made that there could be various roles such as project managers, spiritual leaders, information czar,…
Discuss possible actions and goals for the group.
Support each other in confronting reality of climate crisis.
Inform larger church of what is happening (published in Between Sundays?, Email mailing list?, online calendar—maybe subcalendar on current KC calendar, Facebook page,…)
Pursue energy initiatives on church properties
i.Peter already pursuing Mass Save for Beacon St properties ii.Stephen mentioned that there was earlier audit for main church. We should seek to get a report from him on that.
Link to other related faith groups, e.g.,
i.UUA General Assembly in Providence, June 2020 (Gary will attend as a KC representative of the Minns committee) ii.Relationship with agenda of Minns Committee (Gary as liaison) iii.Relationship with agendas of Dialogue on Science, Ethics and Religion (DoSER) in the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) (Gary as liaison) iv.Jeff Bar-Schnell mentioned other church groups during his visit as guest preacher. v.Green Faith is related initiative that Julie is familiar with. vi.Identify breadth of opportunities (alternatives) for focus of our initiative
Host discussions and/or guest speakers (books, tutorials, related groups), e.g.,
i.Drawdown book and course ii.NRDC book just published: 2040 iii.Joanna Macy book iv.Parable of the Sower v.New Roots Church
Other items that Peter suggested that we did not get to
Consider using a logo for our communications.
Consider Environmental Awareness Dates to observe.
Key questions that were raised
What can we actually do and accomplish beyond feeling better, not alone, and things that are relatively easy to do like petitions?
What kind of political action is within the realm of possibility?
How can we listen to and honor KC peers and congregants from the past?
What can we do to build capacity for future actions and empower the next generations?
Form book group for “Parable of the Sower” and participate in city events—Kent/ARE to work with Lee Glenn. Discussion led by David set for Feb 16 after morning service.
Draft Letter to the Parish Council about the goals of the group (Julie)
Identify potential connections between Drawdown priority for education of women and girls on climate issue with agendas of powerful global leaders is social enterprise (Melinda)