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Thursday, May 19, 2022, from 3-4 p.m. PDT - Creation Justice Ministries is having a zoom webinar Climate Disasters, Faithful Resilience: Preparing Your Congregation for Climate Disasters - Register Here "The question around disasters is not if something will happen here but when—especially as we see climate change increasing the severity and frequency of severe weather events. When disasters occur, congregations can offer vital care and resources for their members and wider communities. Advance preparation and planning can position churches to respond well." As we enter another season of climate-driven disasters, it is time to step back and ask: "How can our congregations be hubs of climate resilience, helping our communities weather the spiritual and physical storms of the climate crisis?" "In this workshop, Rev. Caroline Hamilton-Arnold, Associate Director for Domestic Disaster Response for Week of Compassion, will present resources for disaster response and recovery and will guide conversations and activities for developing context-specific disaster preparedness and response plans." *Week of Compassion is the relief, refugee, and development mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Join with other people over the age of 60 — “experienced Americans” — determined to change the world for the better - join Third Act. "We must use our political and economic power to move Washington and Wall Street (and Main Street) in the name of a more just and sustainable society and planet. We back up the great work of younger people, and we make good trouble of our own." ~ Bill McKibben Here are some ideas on how you can plug in to Third Act’s campaigns, events, trainings, and other activities: Take action with one or both of Third Act's campaigns: Banking on our Future, where you can sign the pledge to pressure big banks to stop bankrolling the climate crisis, and Protect the Vote, where you can share your voting stories as we mobilize and inspire voters of all ages to turn out this year. Sign-up to join a Working Group, where Third Act supporters will collaborate regionally and among professional affinities (i.e. educators, faith, artists, caring professionals/doctors/nurses) to further our campaigns on climate and democracy and design creative activities to engage more people in taking action, online and in-person (in Covid-safe ways). Register for Third Act's upcoming events - a monthly All-In Call, a training workshop, a community builder - and check-out a recording of one of Third Act's past events. Follow Third Act on social media: Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Complete Third Act's Intake Form so we can get to know you better and match your talents, experiences, skills, and interests with great volunteer opportunities. To keep you up-to-date, you can expect about one email a week from Third Act with event invitations, action alerts, and other news, as well as one monthly e-newsletter (on occasion maybe more than one email per week if there’s a lot going on). "Music can be a uniting and joyous theme in our work. The age span in our group covers 40+ years! Third Act is building a playlist of great music, starting with the midpoint of our cohort's high school prom - 1959 - working our way forward and backward." Our Time is Now!

Image from Ashland YAC Instagram page. The future belongs to young people and their voices are being heard by some local politicians. In April 2022 Ashland High School junior Isadora Millay persuaded Ashland Oregon Mayor Julie Akins to set up a Mayor's Youth Advisory Council (YAC). Hear the story from Jefferson Exchange here. Eight Ashland High School students have been meeting weekly and with the Mayor once a month. The YAC is working on a project to implement recycled water in Ashland schools and City facilities. On July 11, 2022 the YAC presented a proposal to the Ashland School Board about utilizing recycled water or greywater throughout the district. They then met on September 28, 2022 with Southern Oregon University about this proposed recycled water project and is currently working on a presentation to the Ashland City Council about redirecting a portion of the wastewater currently piped into Bear Creek into irrigating parks. They have initiated a petition advocating for recycled water use by Ashland City and Ashland School District with 448 signatures at the time of this post.

"In August 2021 the Oregon Global Warming Commission (OGWC) approved a Natural and Working Lands Proposal in response to Governor Brown’s Executive Order 20-04." Find out more at their Keep Oregon Cool website. Oregon Global Warming Commission’s Natural and Working Lands Advisory Committee is charged with developing proposals to actualize the promotion of carbon sequestration on the state’s agricultural and forestry lands. They worked closely with Tribes, landowners and managers, federal and state agencies, conservation organizations, environmental justice leaders, technical assistance providers, and scientists to inform the Proposal. In total, they "heard from more than 1,000 individuals and organizations over an 18-month period." The Oregon Global Warming Commission wants its website "to serve as a platform for conversation about climate change – with experts from across Oregon sharing information about the effects of climate change on our state, plus question-and-answer features from Oregonians like you." Join the conversation by adding your reactions to their blog posts and send your comments or questions to them." The OGWC's Biennial Report to the Legislature shows "Oregon is not on track to meet greenhouse gas reduction goals."

From SOCAN: "In September 2019, the Southern Oregon Climate Smart (SOCS) Working Group was formed to confer about and collaboratively react to perceived and potential climate change impacts on natural ecosystems in southwestern Oregon." They initially focused on proposed federal lands and natural resources management activities but expanded their scope to include state, municipal, and private lands. The SOCS Working Group is composed of individuals and representatives from: Southern Oregon Climate Action Now (SOCAN); Alan Journet and Gary Clarida Southern Oregon Forest Restoration Collaborative (SOFRC); Terry Fairbanks Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center (KS Wild); Joseph Vaile Rogue-Siskiyou National Forest (USFS); Bill Kuhn Charisse Sydoriak, retired NPS/BLM Resources & Science Manager Rogue Basin Partnership (RBP); Sara Mosser Find out more about SOCS at the SOCAN website.

Southern Oregon University's Office for Equity, Diversity & Including has published this Land Acknowledgment of Indigenous Peoples: "We want to take this moment to acknowledge that Southern Oregon University is located within the ancestral homelands of the Shasta, Takelma, and Latgawa peoples who lived here since time immemorial. These Tribes were displaced during rapid Euro-American colonization, the Gold Rush, and an armed conflict between 1851 and 1856. In the 1850s, the discovery of gold and settlement brought thousands of Euro-Americans to their lands, leading to warfare, epidemics, starvation, and villages being burned. In 1853 the first of several treaties were signed, confederating these Tribes and others together - who would then be referred to as the Rogue River Tribe. These treaties ceded most of their homelands to the United States, and in return, they were guaranteed a permanent homeland reserved for them. At the end of the Rogue River Wars in 1856, these Tribes and many other Tribes from western Oregon were removed to the Siletz Reservation and the Grand Ronde Reservation. Today, the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians are living descendants of the Takelma, Shasta, and Latgawa peoples of this area. We encourage YOU to learn about the land you reside on, and to join us in advocating for the inherent sovereignty of Indigenous people." Today, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians are living descendants of the Takelma, Shasta, and Latgawa peoples of this area. The Grand Ronde Reservation is located on Highway 18 between the coast and Salem OR. Siletz Indians are located at the intersection of Highways 229 and 410 northeast of Newport, Oregon. The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon (CTGR) consists of twenty-seven Native American tribes with long historical ties to present-day western Oregon between the western boundary of the Oregon Coast and the eastern boundary of the Cascade Range, and the northern boundary of southwestern Washington and the southern boundary of northern California. The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians in the United States is a federally recognized confederation of more than 27 Native American tribes and bands who once inhabited an extensive homeland of more than 20 million acres from northern California to southwest Washington and between the summit of the Cascades and the Pacific Ocean. After the Rogue River Wars, these tribes were removed to the Coast Indian Reservation, now known as the Siletz Reservation.

The Fridays For Future map show there will be a non-violent direct-action protest In front of townhall in Portland Oregon on December 12, 2022, from noon to 1 p.m. PST Protest in Berlin, September 25, 2020 FridaysForFuture is a youth-led and -organized movement that began in August 2018, after 15-year-old Greta Thunberg and other young activists sat in front of the Swedish parliament every school day for three weeks, to protest against the lack of action on the climate crisis. She posted what she was doing on Instagram and Twitter which soon went viral. Fridays For Future and other active organizations, such as Youth for Climate, and 350.org.organized Global Day of Climate Action 2020, a worldwide direct action protest that took place on September 25, 2020, This protest was aimed at attracting world attention to the effect of climate change and to increase awareness regarding the rapid increase of global emissions and resources worldwide. Thousand of cities held events and demonstrations to urge concrete measures in the fight against the climate crisis, and protest for young people’s right to a future. According to the event's statistics, the participants were: 154 countries, 2362 cities, and 3615 events.

On June 29, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. PDT Creation Justice Ministries is having a webinar on "fostering community strength in the context of extreme heat events." Register Here "As temperatures rise and the frequency of heat waves intensifies, it is crucial to come together and explore strategies for mitigating the impacts of extreme heat on communities." The webinar panelists will "explore practical approaches to building resilience and protecting communities during extreme heat events. From establishing cooling stations and providing access to safe drinking water to implementing heat response plans. The panelists will share valuable insights and best practices for churches and community members. They will also discuss the disproportionate effects of extreme heat on marginalized communities--we aim to create awareness and advocate for equitable solutions.

According to Gallup, 39% of Americans say electric vehicles help climate change at least a fair amount, but only 4% currently own electric vehicles and only 12% are seriously considering a purchase. Gallup also found that "Democrats are most likely to own EVs and say they help climate change. But, a substantial majority of Republicans, 71%, say they would not consider owning an electric vehicle.' So the fate of transitioning to EV's may hinge on the outcome of the November 2024 election. On March 31, 2024 Tesla announced that owners would have a one-month trial during April to test "full, self-driving (supervised)." This advance in functionality automatically makes lane changes, selects forks to follow my navigation route, navigates around other vehicles and objects, and makes left and right turns. On my recent experience driving from Medford to Ashland I reached my destination without touching the accelerator or brake and only lightly held (but did not control) the steering wheel. I found the vehicle has a cautious, but confident response, much like I would do unassisted, only better. This could be a game-changer. Tesla also recently expanded charging access to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy, by opening their fast-charging network to allow more EV drivers to charge at over 15,000 Supercharging stalls across North America. The New York Times reported that on March 20, 2024 "the Biden administration issued one of the most significant climate regulations in the nation’s history, a rule designed to ensure that the majority of new passenger cars and light trucks sold in the United States are all-electric or hybrids by 2032." Siskiyous & Oregon Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Association (SOHEVA) "promotes using electric cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, and bicycles. Local SOHEVA members offer guidance on buying, leasing, sustainably fueling, operating, and maintaining all forms of electric transit." April 19, 2024, from 3:30 to 7 p.m. PDT, SOHEVA will participate in Drive Electric Earth Month at SOU's Earth Day with 12 plug-in vehicles, new and used, with nine from SOHEVA members and three from the Green Cars division of Lithia Motors. The new edition of Rogue Valley Green Car Guide should be available for Earth Day. Converting from a combustion engine truck to an electric-powered truck has a much greater effect on reducing greenhouse gasses than upgrading from a hybrid to an EV. According to Bruce Borgerson, 'When charging from the northwest grid,.. if you go from a 10-year-old Prius to a new Tesla Model 3, you reduce your GHG emissions by about 133 grams per mile, and over 12,000 miles that’s a net reduction of about 1.6 metric tons. but if you replace a 10-year-old AWD Silverado pickup with an equivalent four-motor Silverado EV, you reduce your GHG emissions by around 435 grams per mile for a net reduction of 5.2 metric tons over the same miles, or more than three times the reduction of Prius to Tesla! "That’s a significant difference so let’s hope the millions of dollars that Ford and Chevy are putting into marketing their electric pickups will gain some traction in EV-resistant demographics." SOHEVA recognizes the need to work more on apples-to-apples on GHG emissions versus apples-to-oranges of fossil fuel extraction/refining/transportation versus battery mineral extraction. They also need to work more on newer battery technologies that do not use lithium, but this is improving rapidly In answer to the question: Are Electric Vehicles Really Better for the Environment?", EarthJustice answers: "Yes! Electric vehicles stack up better than combustion any which way you look at it."

According to Alan Journet, "SOCAN's Federal and State Project Team survived a rather bland 2024 Oregon Legislative Session." during which they monitored and testified on (for or against) their Legislative Top Dozen Plus, some 20 or so bills. SOCAN's track record for bills passing or failing as wished was estimated to be about 75%. Notable among the positives were: Campaign Finance Reform bill (HB4024) referring constitutional adjustments to the November ballot that contained much that was in the Initiative Petition 9 drive that we supported (HB4024 was initially proposed as a sham, but due to massive critical testimony was amended), COAL Act (HB4083) urging Oregon Treasury divestment from entities promoting coal, Affordable Housing (SB1537), promoted by the state's Governor, which was amended (also in response to substantial critical testimony) to impose stricter restrictions on the Urban Growth Boundary expansion option. Offshore wind energy development (HB4080) to promote community engagement to resolve community concerns about developing the offshore wind turbine effort off Oregon’s South Coast, a bill Marine Reserves (HB4132)  to promote the marine reserve program, Resilient, affordable, and healthy homes (SB1530) was funded, but not quite at the level we all hoped. "The Legislative Session ended a few days early with several bills stalled in Ways and Means, largely because the legislature ran out of money." "Regrettably, there was no successful legislation addressing forest management/wildfire issues, and a bill (SB1559) updating the state’s greenhouse gas emissions goal was not passed. Neither was a bill to refer to voters an adjustment to the legislative Quorum from the current ridiculous 2/3rds down to 50% or something reasonable.  Reports from the chambers suggest these last two efforts (and some others) failed because legislative Democratic leadership was concerned that insisting on their consideration would have stimulated another Republican walk-out, thus defeating a host of valuable measures that ultimately passed.  Again, the minority party was successful at dictating, to an unreasonable extent, what the majority party’s legislative agenda should be."

Source: https://www.usbr.gov/pn/hydromet/roguetea.html The State of Oregon Water Resources Department is updating its Integrated Water Resources Strategy (IWRS). The first draft March 1, 2024 Strategy is available here. Comments from the April 5, 2024 deadline will be incorporated into the Strategy, and a new draft will be shared for a second round of comments in May 2024. The draft Strategy says, "The current water challenge is we are not currently meeting Oregon’s water needs." "Over the past decade, Oregon has experienced six years that are among the hottest ten on record. In addition, the state has experienced the lowest snowpack ever observed, and had one of the most severe wildfire seasons." ~ 2024 IWRS draft The southern portion of central Oregon is currently classified in a "moderate drought' condition. In the Rogue Valley rainfall has been 50-75% of normal over the last 30 days, placing it just outside in the "abnormally dry" category according to the latest Jackson County drought map. Reservoirs are only partially full, except for Agate. Talent Irrigation District (TID) reports that "reservoir levels are looking better than they have for several years, however, that is mainly due to the water we were able to carry over from last irrigation season. The snowpack this winter has been considerably less than we had last year." The Jackson Soil and Water Conservation District concerns itself with water quality and conservation issues in Jackson County. The JSWCD says, "As Jackson County's population grows and the climate continues to change, water conservation will be of ever-growing importance to utilize our water resources as effectively as we can and ensure water availability for human and environmental needs." The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has a portal addressing drought in the West. As the nation’s largest wholesale water supplier, its mission is "to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public" The Old Farmers Almanac's has statistical data, planting calendars, frost dates, weather forecasts, history, and lore. Their April 2024 Long Range Weather Forecast for the Pacific Northwest calls for slightly higher than average temperatures and precipitation. On April 9, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. PDT - OSU Southern Oregon Extension Service is offering a presentation on Landscaping for Water Conservation as part of their Sustainable Living Series. They will cover principles of waterwise landscaping, including the use of drought-tolerant plants, sprinkler schedules, and overall water conservation, as well as basic stormwater management. The cost is $15 per person to help support their Land Steward Program. Click here for a flyer, registration QR code, and link. Tracey Reed and Chris Hall of the Water League report they will be active in Earth Day activities at SOU on 4/19; at Williams on 4/21; and at Rogue Community College on 4/22. Oregon Water Justice Alliance was co-founded with the Water League, focusing on indigenous people and their allies together for tribal water rights and ancestral lands, communities, and fish. Public Interest Environmental Law Conference (PIELC) held the 42nd annual event in Eugene, Oregon on March 1, 2024. The Water League hosted two panels and built relationships to support their vision. Integrated Water Resources Strategy – As noted above, an update to this Strategy is currently underway; the Strategy is the entirety of how the state manages water and since we will live with this update for the next eight years we must get it right for the public and the environment. There are 30 pages of comments, and here is a link to a press release summary. Off-shore Wind Turbines - University of Oregon interns this winter/spring are researching what few consider - the cons of off-shore wind. We must decarbonize/drawdown, but must not hide from the negative impacts these leviathans externalize. See Water League HB 4080-A testimony Pumped storage hydroelectric plants - Chris Hall has written a Local Op-Ed on the confounding issues of energy use. Chris is also tracking the Public Utilities Commission for whether back-to-back rate hikes become promissory notes to boondoggles (e.g.: pumped storage does not pencil out unless there are non-stop back-to-back rate increases for the next 50 years, etc.) 1955 Groundwater Act – The Water League is conducting comprehensive research of the thousand+ pages of notes, bills, exhibits, and transcripts from Oregon Archives to uncover how the biggest PR disaster OWRD stepped into could happen (sent legislative bill request). This little string could unravel the sweater…" DIV 512 Rule-making on designating Critical Groundwater Areas (the first in 30+ years) is spiraling out of control according to Chris and the Water League is working to make sure irrigators don’t imperil it. This process and results will inform all others that come after it. Groundwater Allocation rule-making – comments due May 31, 2024 – Southern Oregon public hearing about strengthening standards for acquiring groundwater water rights is scheduled for May 16, 2024, from 7-9 p.m. in the Jackson County Auditorium, 7520 Table Rock Rd., Central Point, OR.

April 11, 2023, at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. PDT on Zoom. - Join eco-spiritual artist/educator/filmmaker Imogene Drummond as she explores the exciting connection between creativity and Cosmogenesis. In her upcoming presentation, she demonstrates how Cosmogenesis emerges from Art Sparks Cosmic Creativity and Well-Being Program—with both children and adults. Her presentation is hosted by EarthConnection and available in two different time slots and It's free: Thursday, and 10 a.m. PDT. To register for the 10 a.m. presentation, click here: Thursday at 4 p.m. PDT. To register for the 4 p.m. presentation, click here. "EarthConnection, a ministry of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, is a center for learning and reflection about living lightly on Earth. Aware of the interconnectedness of all of Creation, we seek to integrate spirituality and sustainability through programs in sustainable agriculture, alternative energies, ecojustice, and eco-spirituality." "Divine Sparks" celebrates the creativity in the universe—and in you! Dancing to the beginning of time, "Divine Sparks" lifts you up and takes you on a journey of wonder. Like "The Little Prince," this enchanted reverie weaves a metaphorical journey of transformation for viewers of all ages. The vibrant mix of diverse accents, animation, art, dance, poetry, and music (including by "interspecies musician" David Rothenberg who plays music with birds and whales!), gives rise to a JUMP FOR JOY!

April 15-21, 2024 is National Week of Conversation - "An opportunity for Americans to show up for each other and for the country we love. "Through NWOC Signature Experiences conversations, cultural events, learning activities, and panel discussions you can join the movement to help shift our country away from toxic division towards increased curiosity and cohesion." Monday, April 15, 2024, at noon PDT - Music of Our Lives Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at 9 a.m. PDT - Building Communities that Listen Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at noon PDT - Libraries As Bridging Spaces Thursday, April 18, 2024, at 5 p.m. PDT - Bridging Heros in the Posthuman Classroom There will also be a Better Together Film Festival - sign up to host a screening. National Week of Conversation is brought to us by: Listen First Project - "elevates the impact of the movement to bridge divides in America. We connect the efforts of 500 Listen First Coalition partners, bringing people together across divides. We manage national campaigns and strategies for social cohesion. Listen First Project is the backbone organization for collective impact to save our country from breaking apart.  Listen First Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization." Citizen Connect - "a non-partisan platform dedicated to helping Americans right, left and center find ways to heal our divides and strengthen this great nation." The Prohuman Foundation - "promotes the foundational truth that every person is a unique individual united by our shared humanity. We do this through educational resources and programs based on the Prohuman Approach, that empower people to engage across differences and move forward, together." Middle Ground School Solutions - "consults with and delivers workshops for educators to help them position today’s students to ease tomorrow’s political polarization." Living Room Conversations -"creates effective and accessible tools for dialogue. We connect people across divides through guided conversations proven to build understanding and transform communities." AllSides Technologies Inc. strengthens our democratic society with balanced news, media bias ratings, diverse perspectives, and real conversation. With Living Room Conversations they built Mismatch–a platform that makes it easy to schedule a virtual dialogue between students who are the political, racial, geographical, and socio-economic opposite of each other." Find the experience that fits for you and embrace the opportunity to #DisagreeBetter Oregon Humanities' Conversation Project "trains facilitators to lead reflective conversations on topics of their choosing. Organizations then request to host these conversations in their communities with support from Oregon Humanities. These conversations can take multiple forms. Community Conversation: a single, ninety-minute program Reflective Conference: multiple conversations held over a single day Expanded Conversation: a longer conversation customized to the host organization’s interests" Click here to open the Conversation Project's catalog in a new window. If you see a program you want to host, use this form to request a conversation in your community.

May 24-25, 2024 - Claremont ECO Forum is having an in-person forum: The Great Turning: Towards an Ecological Civilization Aiming at the Common Good of Humanity and Nature at Pitzer College, Claremont, CA, This will be the 17th International Forum on Ecological Civilization and the 6th International Youth Forum on Ecological Civilization. Register here. From their website: "The Claremont Eco Forum (a.k.a. the International Forum on Ecological Civilization) continues to be one of the largest forums on ecological civilization in the world. Since 2006, this annual forum has drawn together a global cohort of creative academics, activists, artists, non-profit leaders, and governmental officials dedicated to rethinking our society toward an ecological civilization." Co-sponsors of the Forum are: Institute for Postmodern Development of China Pitzer College Center for Process Studies China Ecological Civilization Research and Promotion Association Institute for Ecological Civilization China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Association Cobb Institute Budapest Center for Long-term Sustainability Having recently watched the movie, Oppenheimer, one is keenly aware of the perils of even suggesting that any ideas about sustainability, which may be tangentially associated with socialism or communism, have any merits to be considered. The current political rhetoric in the United States continues to polarize the evils of such consideration. Yet, we live in a world where our economies and societies are increasingly interrelated, so understanding, if not full cooperation, is essential to world peace and security. "Only if China and India (as well as America) soon start to make the postmodern turn does our planet have hope." ~ David Ray Griffin According to Wikipedia "David Ray Griffin (1939-2022) was an American professor of philosophy of religion and theology... Along with John B. Cobb, Jr., he founded the Center for Process Studies in 1973, a research center of the Claremont School of Theology that promotes process thought. Griffin was also a 9/11 conspiracy theorist and published numerous books about the September 11 attacks, claiming that elements of the Bush administration were involved." You may judge whether Griffin's interests in conspiracy and parapsychology discredit the soundness of his process thoughts. Similarly, you may judge whether Chinese thought about eco-civilization resonates at all with truth. The reader may want to check out the Practice Model of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization (2022) for "answers to... theoretical and practical questions as to why to build an ecological civilization, what the goal is and how to achieve it." I believe it is more important to understand alternative perspectives than to merely villainize and dismiss them. Do you find any merit in these "six principles that must be upheld in promoting ecological progress"? "Man and nature should coexist in harmony. Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets. A good ecological environment is the most accessible welfare for the people. The mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, and grasslands are a life community. The strictest regulations and laws must be applied in protecting the environment. Joint efforts must be made in building a global ecological civilization."

Pilgrims to Jerusalem visit what is purported to be the tomb where Jesus was buried before the stone was rolled away the third day after his crucifixion on the cross. Did you know that Easter eggs are a symbol of the empty tomb? Easter is early this year (March 31, 2024). It's a moveable feast, not falling on a fixed date, but its date computed based on a lunisolar calendar - the first Sunday after the ecclesiastical full moon that occurs on or soonest after March 21st (the vernal equinox and first day of Spring.) Did you know that the modern English term Easter comes from a Germanic spring goddess named Ēostre? Spring marks the recurring cycle of new life after winter. Ilia Delio discusses with Matthew Fox the viability of contemporary religious institutions in an evolutionary world, in the Center for Christogenesis' November 6, 2023 'Hunger for Wholeness' podcast, What Lies Beyond Death and Institutions. "One of the things that's kind of ironic is that for a spiritual tradition such as Christianity, which has the cross at the heart of the tradition (which is about death, followed by resurrection or new life), that it's not modeled institutionally..." Ilia goes on to say... "The whole of evolution runs on death and new life. Things die so there is room for new life to emerge. So one of the worst things we can do is to try to keep holding on (whether it be personally or institutionally) to what has always been! We live in a finite world, so you can't hold on to things that are changing all the time." "There is something about Christianity that’s deeply creation-centered and deeply incarnation, with a God who gets involved with materiality; a God who is okay with change and chaos; a God who is unconditional in love. I think there is a lot of hope in this tradition… I would love Christianity to have this new, living, energy of faith - one that energizes us and gives us hope. "But we have a deep, existential fear of death. I think a lot of people think there’s really nothing after this life - you know, when I die, that’s it!" We have an eschatological crisis. We don’t have any real sense of anything beyond this finite, mortal world." "The gospels talk about a resurrected body or a new spiritual body and I think there is something about life that endures infinitely! It will change form for sure. Maybe we become part of this cosmic whole? Maybe the word 'God" symbolizes this immense, infinite cosmic energy of love and consciousness, and we are part of life elsewhere in the cosmos?" "Because we fear death so, we hold on to our institutions, our stuff, and our ideas - that's part and parcel of our environmental crisis today! "Our attention is not directed toward our deep interconnectedness. I think if we had a robust sense of belonging to a whole, energized by the power of love, presence, and interconnectivity we would not fear death! We would know that 'what we’re about here on earth' will be everlasting in the organic, wholeness of life."

Conversations about global warming and climate change have become polarized, but most people, regardless of political views, share common values of caring for others and the environment. Finding common ground requires more intentional, mutual efforts than just expressing talking points - it requires curiosity, mutual respect, and active listening. A proven structured format from Living Room Conversations helps build connections in our communities. During the pandemic in 2021 I participated in a rewarding "Living Room Conversation" on Zoom with people who lived in California I had not met in person. We shared views on climate change, had a friendly exchange and I learned some things about communication. I recommend the process if participants are curious and open. Minds were not changed, but the experience was positive. Living Room Conversations involves a small group of people (ideally six) who "come together to get to know one another in a more meaningful way. Guided by a simple and sociable format, participants practice being open and curious about all perspectives, with a focus on learning from one another, rather than trying to debate the topic at hand." The process starts with establishing a conversation agreement, which may be referred to if discussions start to get out of hand. The first of three phases is about communicating core values - positive impressions that others have about you and what is important to you. After rapport is established, the topic at hand is discussed in round two with reflections and follow-up expressed in round three. "LivingRoom Conversations has a wide variety of resources to help you start, grow, and continue to bridge divides and increase understanding in our own lives." You may take a course, watch a conversation video, or select questions for dozens of topics. You can connect with others virtually in a Learning Community where you can share successes and explore how to better utilize their resources. Hosting a Living Room Conversation yourself doesn't require any special skills or certification. A host toolkit will walk you through the process of hosting a Living Room Conversation. Joan Blades co-founded Living Room Conversations in 2011 with Amanda Kathryn Roman-Hydro. They partnered with communication experts to create a "structured, intimate conversation format that would empower everyday citizens to discuss important issues with friends of differing political affiliations and backgrounds... Early participants had conversations about the role of government, money in politics, immigration, gay marriage, and more." Living Room Conversations is a program of Mediators Foundation, a 501-C-3 tax-exempt organization in Boulder, CO.

April 4, 2024, at 1 p.m. PDT - Global Kinship is presenting a webinar featuring Lauren Van Ham speaking on the topic: Coming Home to Community, Coming Home to Earth. To register for this webinar, CLICK HERE Lauren Van Ham is an Interfaith Chaplain, eco-activist, corporate sustainability consultant, and Climate Action Coordinator of the United Religions Initiative (URI). “Combining my passions, education and in-the-field experience, I facilitate change and build new bridges between the inner/outer ecology of individuals and organizations, one at a time. I call this work, Eco-Chaplaincy.” ~ Lauren Van Ham

April 13 & 14, 2024, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m, PDT Saturday and from 8:30-9:30 a.m. PDT Sunday - The Aspen Chapel presents Ilia Delia and A.I. As the Matrix in the Soul: Why the Future of A.I. is Bound Up with Evolution of Consciousness based on her 2020 book Re-Enchanting the Earth: Why AI Needs Spirituality. Register here. "In this event, Ilia will unpack the problems and opportunities of Artificial Intelligence with the perspective that AI is the next step in the human evolutionary story. She sees that, as we use technology more and more to enhance life, we are entering a ‘trans-humanist’ phase of our development... This means that we are moving beyond our mere biology to use AI to assist us in our process of living." What are the implications of this, and is there a way we can develop this that can enhance our ‘deep relationality’? How can our spiritual understanding and the framework of values enable us to use this intelligence to bring greater peace and harmony to our world? “AI is not the problem. We have to look at why we are developing it, and to what end”. ~ Ilia Delio "Ilia argues that quantum physics and neuroscience are key elements informing our understanding of spirituality and the future of both the human race and our planet. She sees A.I. as being an extension of human intelligence, and a product of the soul. Therefore, the future of A.I. must be imbued with the spiritual values at the heart of our experience within the soul." "Ilia Delio is known as a ‘Theologian Futurist’. She is a Franciscan Sister with Doctorates in Religion and Science, with interests in evolution, physics, and neuroscience and the importance of these for theology. She holds the Josephine C. Connelly Endowed Chair in Theology at Villanova University and is the author of twenty books." She is the founder of the Center for Christogenesis.

Elder Climate Action is a group of "activists committed to a non-partisan effort to end the Climate Crisis and build a just and sustainable future for our children, our grandchildren, and all children." March 26, 2024, at 4 p.m. PDT - Elders Climate Action is having their Monthly National Call (on the 4th Tuesday of the month) with Dr. Elizabeth Sawin on the topic: Multisolving: Actions That Protect the Climate While Improving Health, Equity, and Biodiversity at the Same Time. Register here. The Monthly National Call will be followed by a quick Action Party with the Climate Action Now app. They will provide us with several quick actions related to the Monthly Call that we can take from our phone. Their goal is 100 actions in 15 minutes, last month they did almost 150 actions! "Dr. Elizabeth Sawin is Founder and Director of the Multisolving Institute, a think-do tank that helps people implement win-win-win solutions that protect the climate while improving, equity, health, biodiversity, economic vitality, and well-being. She is a biologist with a PhD from MIT who has been analyzing complex systems related to climate change for over twenty-five years." Elders Climate Action (ECA) is a project of Elders Action Network, a 501(c)3 organization. ECA is non-partisan and does not support, endorse, or advocate for any political party or candidate. They "work to inform, inspire, and engage others to take action on the climate crisis. We actively support the youth movements springing up in the United States and throughout the world." ECA has some great tools (videos, books, and online resources) for helping our grandchildren learn about climate change. A new ECA Chapter is currently forming in Oregon. Currently, they are a group of six volunteers with facilitators in Lane and Multnomah Counties "who seek to engage more members locally and in other counties." Find out more on their Facebook page. Also March 26, 2024, at 10 a.m. PDT - Third Act is hosting Eldering Series: Creating Possibiities for Our Collective Future - an unscripted, cross-generational conversation on the roles younger and older activists are playing in our shared work, and what we can be learning from each other." Register here. This session is "hosted by Third Act’s Lead Advisor, Akaya Windwood and will feature: Tamara Chao (Vice President of strategy & Impact at Women Donors Network), Michael Johnson (President at IllumiNative), and Bill McKibben (author, educator, and Founder of Third Act & 350.org)." Third Act is "a community of Americans over sixty determined to change the world for the better. Third Act harnesses an unparalleled generational power to safeguard our climate and democracy."