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Unity: Caring For The Earth In The Great Lakes Bioregion
GLURC Earth Care Team goal:
Co-creating a world that works for all,
75% of all Unity ministries in the Great Lakes region are committed to
and or actively engaged in EarthCare sustainable living practices
by December 31, 2012.
Dear Friends of Unity,
Blankets of snow have covered much of our region, demanding we stop the holiday rush. Nature displayed her power and glory and beauty. Her creatures turn within for shelter and it is only natural that we do the same at some level. Your regional Earth Care Team is taking time to reflect on efforts of this year past and to envision dreams of the year to come.
The Unity EarthCare Team (UET) is a ministry team of Unity Worldwide Ministries whose mission is to foster awareness of our spiritual oneness with our Earth home and promote active care of creation. Your Great Lakes Region Earth Care Team, is here to help strategize ways to increase communication and mentoring in support of your Earth Care goals on a more local and personal level. It may be as simple as fostering a conversation in your congregation or participating in an Earth Care program.
This past October at GLURC, we had the opportunity to share with conferees and we thank you for your support. For those who may not have been able to attend:
• The Regional Team opened the conference with a gathering of waters ceremony that included portions of the Healing of the Earth service.
• Tuesday evening we offered the film The Great Story, about the life and work of monk Thomas Berry, considered a pioneer in the field of spirituality and ecology.
• Wednesday reviewed the team's successes in 2010 and requested support for the team's goal: Co-creating a world that works for all, 75% of all Unity ministries in the United States are committed to and or actively engaged in EarthCare sustainable living practices by December 31, 2012.
• Out of 73 voting members, the Earth Care Regional team received commitments from 50 individuals to seek support for the Team's goal in their congregation.
• Distributed an EarthCare Questionnaire to conferees to help the team provide tailored support for regional ministry programs.
Additionally, the team now has a page on the regional website, is submitting a series of articles for web and other outlets, and has linked into two important Unity populations: NGU (Next Generation Unity) and YOU (Youth of Unity).
As the year drew to a close, we were blessed by two exceptional individuals who answered their hearts' call to serve in special capacities. We are pleased to announce that Chuck Holman, from Unity of Kalamazoo, has stepped forward to volunteer as regional EarthCare coordinator--the person you will go to for support and encouragement with your local EarthCare programs.
We are also blessed with the passion, energy and youth of Ben Georgoff, regional YOU communications officer who is spear-heading a GLYOU EarthCare initiative. You will be hearing much more from and about both these individuals early in the New Year.
Ben and Chuck are currently working with 15 Y.O.U. chapters throughout the Great Lakes Region in creating an EarthCare Covenant Sunday service for Sunday, April 3, 2011. If your Y.O.U. group would like to join or you would like more information about the Y.O.U. EarthCare Initiative please contact us at info@youearthcare.org or go here.
We invite you to make EarthCare a part of your 2011 ministry programs, and we are here to help. Please see us at greatlakesunityregion.org under services, or call Chuck Holman at 269-385-2239 ext. 2 for additional information. If you would like us to write an article about your congregation's EarthCare efforts call me, Linda Stalvey, at 330-723-6227 or email me at LStalvey1@frontier.com.
Have a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year and walk gently on the Earth in 2011.
Blessings,
Linda Stalvey
Great Lakes Region Earth Care Team
P.S. Those interested in serving on this team may feel free to contact
Y.O.U. and EarthCare Ministry
An article by
Linda Stalvey
EarthCare Covenant Sunday
UWM EarthCare Team