Dear Pollinators,
In the spiritual alchemy of wisdom and insight, sometimes humor and empathy go hand in hand. The Rev. Jim Bear Jacobs wrote a satirical masterpiece earlier this year that provokes one to consider, "How would I feel if someone put an oil pipeline through my home?" Jacobs was inspired to write by a comically doctored photo and an accompanying headline that announced, "Anishinaabe Leaders Approve Oil Pipeline through Governor’s Mansion." Jacobs authored a corresponding story that details a parallel universe in which roles are reversed. The Governor of Minnesota is the victim of a construction project that barrels ahead with spurious claims and dubious rationalizations. According to a spokesperson for the pipeline, the Governor has no reason to worry about oils spills in his kitchen “because only state-of-the-art pipelines would run through his house and no spills were expected.” Moreover, the project resulted from a “legitimate, lengthy and very public decision-making process.” It would all seem so utterly ridiculous and preposterous…except it is not. This fictional world is our world turned on its head.
Good satire can make us laugh while also pointing to not-so-funny truths. For those motivated by a strong inner current of justice, such truths motivate action. To further the spread of more truth and action, the next Creation Justice Webinar will focus on the Line 3 pipeline expansion project that threatens the sacred water ways and treaty-protected lands of the Anishinaabe. Jacobs will be one of our featured guest speakers along with Nina Berglund, an indigenous youth activist who has been actively involved in the ongoing struggle to stop the pipeline. Sign-up now for this webinar at 1 pm ET on Monday, June 14th. Even if you cannot make the scheduled time, still register, and we will send you a link to the recording afterward.
The webinar follows closely on the heals of a call for nonviolent action in early June. Read more below!
With gratitude for your ministry,
Treaty People Gathering in Minnesota to Stop Line 3
With an awareness that treaties between native and non-native people have not been honored, the Indigenous-led movement to oppose Line 3 has called for a Treaty People Gathering near the headwaters of the Mississippi in Northern Minnesota. From June 5th-8th, people will gather in massive numbers to stop construction through non-violent action that will prick the conscience of the nation and compel President Biden to stop construction. Learn more on the website devoted to the gathering. Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light also provides additional information for faith participants, including a sign-up form to join a multi-faith delegation.
Call for a Just and Adequate Job Plan
As a recent Creation Justice Webinar highlighted, parts of the Biden administration’s American Jobs Plan are to be supported, while other parts fall short of the moral demands placed on us by climate science and the justice demands placed upon us by societal inequities. Fortunately, there is already proposed legislation that points to how Congress can improve upon Biden’s plan. Learn more and contact those who represent you in calling for just and adequate legislative action.
Building Your Environmental Justice Library
Pilgrim Press has released a new book edited by Miguel De La Torre entitled Gonna Trouble the Water: Ecojustice, Water, and Environmental Racism. With contributions from scholars, activists, politicians, and theologians, the book considers the sacred nature of water and the ways in which it is weaponized against non-white communities. Learn more about the book.
Music and Caring for God’s Creation
In a coming issue of the Pollinator, resources for environmentally themed church music will be featured. Do you have recommendations that might be overlooked, hidden gems for hymns and anthems? Email them to Brooks. Recently, David Weiss from St. Paul’s UCC in St. Paul, Minnesota, penned the lyrics to a song entitled “As the Turn of the World Draws Near.” In offering this song, Weiss writes, “Songs shape our hopes and sow the seeds of action.”