People of faith give thanks every day because we experience the Mystery moment to moment. We see the winter clouds and sky over the brown, resting fields and hear the bird that calls out first in the pearly dawn. Our love touches all. We feel the joy of being alive on Earth and know that Earth is the temple in which and through which we worship the Mystery.
TIPL builds upon the strengths of its faith communities that feel the responsibility of caring for the Earth and its incredible life. With the worsening weather extremes occurring here in the United States and around the planet, TIPL works to find ways and create opportunities for the voices of many to be heard so that we may have climate protection.
Here in TN in November, we made a large step toward climate protection when TVA announced it will close 3300 MW of coal plant capacity, responding to TIPL’s repeated requests that it do so. The 2013 TIPL climate protection policies were for TVA to close down more coal plants and deliver us more energy efficiency. TVA still has a way to go on energy efficiency, but it is becoming a national leader in de-carbonizing the electricity it generates.
In November, the Knoxville TIPL offered a climate prayer vigil at the TN Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. The meditations offered by Gene Burr and Rev. Laura Bogle (Foothills Unitarian Universalist Church) will be made available soon.
At the end of October, TIPL Knoxville members and other climate protection activists recognized the anniversary of Hurricane Sandy by performing Dr. Eddie and Mr. Koch, an original street theater production, on Market Square. Wild times in which even the Grim Reaper made an appearance. Many thanks to Todd Waterman, the master mind behind this.
TIPL has set itself a goal of having 40 faith group partners by the end of 2014. We currently have thirteen. In November, we presented to St. Raphael’s Episcopal Church in Crossville an introduction to who and what we are. The congregation is now in the process of becoming a TIPL partner.
Carol Landis posted a blog describing TIPL’s work in East TN in partnership with the Green Interfaith Network to encourage and conduct church energy assessment.
TIPL joined the national IPL’s conference call with Gina McCarthy, the head of EPA, to learn how faith communities can support the carbon rule that EPA will put out for public comments in June 2014. Ms McCarthy and Rev. Sally Bingham, IPL president, both affirmed the importance of our moral obligation to protect those most vulnerable to climate change and future generations.
The TIPL Steering Committee works on finalizing a basic set of organizational policies and setting the 2014 goals and budget. More of that in the December report.
TIPL raises its voice in song, full of joy and gratitude for being alive on Earth. May we all come to know Earth as our temple, in which and through which we worship the Mystery of Being.
