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VIPL Fall 2006 Newsletter Spotlight on Global Warming
In cooperation with the national Interfaith Power & Light office and Paramount Pictures, during October, 2006, VIPL is offering free screenings and discussion of the award-winning global warming documentary “An Inconvenient Truth” at the Virginia congregations listed below (alphabetically by city—we suggest you contact directly the host site you plan to attend to confirm the date and exact time of the showing). Nationally this Spotlight on Global Warming will be shown to more than half a million viewers at four thousand faith community sites in all fifty states!
Abingdon
Clintwood
Coeburn
Crozet
Glen Allen
Grundy
Ruckersville
Saltville
Wytheville
As film critic Roger Ebert has said, “In 39 years, I have never written these words in a movie review, but here they are: You owe it to yourself to see this film. If you do not, and you have grandchildren, you should explain to them why you decided not to.” And as Al Gore, the “star” of the film, has written, “I have learned that, beyond death and taxes, there is at least one absolutely indisputable fact. Not only does human-caused global warming exist, but it is also growing more and more dangerous, and at a pace that has now made it a planetary emergency.” Furthermore, “This is a moral moment, a crossroads. This is not ultimately about any scientific discussion or political dialogue. It is about who we are as human beings. It is about our capacity to transcend our own limitations, to rise to this new occasion. To see with our hearts, as well as our heads, the response that is now called for. This is a moral, ethical and spiritual challenge.”
Ultimately then the film is not about Al Gore or any political agenda. Rather with wit, smarts and hope, An Inconvenient Truth brings home the persuasive argument that we can no longer afford to view global warming as a political issue. The film and our discussions will focus on this biggest moral challenge facing our global civilization and what we can and must do about it. VIPL is proud to partner with
Other News:
VIPL has partnered with the Presbytery of the James in a pilot project to train “Caring for Creation Teams” for all 118 Virginia Presbyterian congregations in the Presbytery over the next couple of years. The first training opportunities will be offered within the next several months. Details as to exact times and locations will be announced soon.
Each congregation will be asked to send a team of four or five to the training: someone from mission and education, from worship, from stewardship and finance, from building and grounds, and hopefully a youth to serve as the fifth member of the team.
The half day training event will equip teams in the areas of global warming facts and challenges, the theological and moral imperative to respond, worship and education resources, how to do an energy audit of their congregation, and how to develop an action plan to take specific steps to save money, save energy, and reduce their congregation’s and their member households’ global warming footprints to zero.
As this exciting model develops and grows, other congregations from other faith communities will be invited to send teams for training and/or develop similar training events tailor-made for their own denominations, traditions, and regional governing bodies.
Visit our web site and check your next VIPL newsletter for more details!
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Copyright 2006 Virginia Interfaith Power & Light |
