Congregation in the Spotlight

Har Shalom: From Generation to Generation
A B’nai Mitzvah is a time in the Jewish tradition to welcome a young man or woman into the community. Most congregations greet them with gifts that help them to take part in the Jewish traditions, like a siddur or a Kiddush cup. Har Shalom had added to this tradition, connecting it to cooling the planet by giving a compact florescent light bulb to each B’nai Mitzvah. This helps the next generation of their community become responsible for protecting the planet and our neighbors.

Opportunities

* Join GWIPL’s New Listserve for Green Leaders
In this new year, we strive to help our growing community of over 300 congregations better coordinate and share information about their green initiatives. To do this, we have created the “GWIPL green leaders” list. Through this list you will be able to:
- ask questions about green projects in your community;
- share green event announcements and happenings in your faith community;
- share reports on successful projects and events you just had in your community;
- share sermons, liturgies, and songs about creation care and global warming.
To join the list please send an email to Allison and look for an invitation in your email box.

*Join the Cool Interfaith Youth Council
Do you want to help make a difference in our community when it comes to climate change? Are you interested in why we as people of faith have a special responsibility to take care of the earth? Beginning in March, we invite representatives from various faith communities to join our new youth council. They will learn, share, and participate in climate justice through projects like light bulb swaps and community gardening to help all of our neighbors. If you would like to participate or know of any teens who would, please send an email to Allison or call 202-885-8684.

Upcoming Events

1. Jan. 17: Prepare the Flood Gates
Join the Alliance for Global Warming Solutions and hundreds more as we descend on the streets of Annapolis to demand that our elected officials find solutions to global warming - before it's too late! To address this serious problem, Maryland must commit to science-based reductions of global warming pollution and bring our state toward a clean energy future that will protect the Chesapeake Bay and promote strong economic growth well into the future. Join us on Thursday, January 17 at 11:00 am at the Maryland State House in Annapolis.

Highlights of the day will include:
- Speakers, including Mike Tidwell and Senator Paul Pinsky, will talk about global warming and solutions for Maryland.
- Elected officials walking the "green carpet" and pledging to champion the Global Warming Solutions Act.
- A chance for you to speak with your elected officials; you can thank them for being supportive, or ask them to be supportive of this important initiative.

This event is sponsored by the Alliance for Global Warming Solutions. Click here for more information.

2. Jan. 23: Bethesda is Going Green
Kick-off meeting of "Bethesda Green" on January 23, 3:30 to 5 pm at the Bethesda Theatre, 7719 Wisconsin Ave, Bethesda, MD. Bethesda Green aims to serve as a living model that will sustain the current and future development of Bethesda by reducing the community’s environmental footprint, attracting environmentally-conscious consumers, and promoting an environmental ethic. Bethesda Green will work to engage government, academic institutions, community groups and business. For more information, visit the Bethesda Green website.

3. Jan. 29: Green Path of Abraham: Understanding the Environment and Action from an Interfaith Prospective
Join us and explore the connections and similarities between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in how they view the environment. Hear from representatives from various communities about what they are doing to become better stewards of God’s creation and learn how to apply these ethics and actions in your own community. This event is co-sponsored by the Rumi Forum and GWIPL.

RSVP: Please RSVP by sending an email to Allison
When: Tuesday, January 29 from 6:30- 8:30pm
Where: RUMI Forum at 1150 17th Street NW, Suite 408; Washington, DC 20036. The closest Metro stations are Farragut North and Farragut West.

For more events, go to the GWIPL Event Calendar

Support GWIPL today
You can make a secure online donation at http://www.gwipl.org/support_us.asp. Every dollar helps us to protect creation.