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| Eco-Justice Conference speaks up for
those threatened by US policies and global warming
[5-28-01]
Witherspoooners Harold Barton and Brian
Christofferson attended the Eco-Justice Conference which was held last
week in Washington, DC., sponsored and planned by the National Council
of Churches. As their first report on this important event, they have
forwarded the latest issue of the e-list "Eco-Justice
Notes."
Peter Sawtell, Executive Director of Eco-Justice
Ministries, recounts the day of lobbying on Capitol Hill by 350
conference participants.
It is always easy for me to find a particular passage
in Luke, because of the two large exclamation points that I drew in the
margins many years ago. Luke 14:12-14 has the admonition: "when you
give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and you
will be blessed, because they cannot repay you."
I turned to that verse while reflecting on this week's
experiences in Washington, DC. On Tuesday afternoon, the conference
participants fanned out across Capitol Hill - 350 of us, from 39 states
and 23 denominations. Our lobbying efforts were concentrated on the
intertwined areas of energy policy and global climate change.
As church people, we brought a rather unique presence
to the Hill, one that was at least tinged by the grace-filled spirit of
Jesus. In that place of power and influence, where myriad groups
negotiate for their own interests and benefits, our delegations came (I
hope) with a less self-centered agenda.
We did not come bearing campaign contributions, and
asking for political favors. Rather, we brought a moral witness and a
spiritual presence. We tried to give voice to the needs and interests of
others.
 | We spoke of the Gwich'in people and the Porcupine
caribou herd, both of whom will be devastated by oil drilling in the
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
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| We spoke for the people of Bangladesh, who will be
among the most impacted victims of global warming.
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| We spoke for future generations, whose needs and
interest are not adequately considered in short-sighted energy
policies. |
We dared to remind our Senators and Representatives of the notion of
sacrifice, and we called upon them to provide leadership of the sort
that carries political risk.
It was encouraging to see that our message of stewardship and
servanthood was received with respect. We were not dismissed as
"unrealistic" or "idealists." Our moral and faithful
message contains a profound truth and a compelling power.
Jesus calls on us to provide care for "the least of these"
without a focus on what we can get in return. In the halls of Congress,
surrounded by advocates from business and industry, those who advocate
for states and cities, and the representatives of labor unions, our
voices, raised in the spirit of Jesus, were a refreshing contrast.
We continue to pray that our moral message also will be politically
effective.
+ + + + +
The message about self-interest needs some nuance and balance. Not all
self-interest is wrong. There are times when speaking up for self and
community is totally appropriate.
| We were moved at the conference when two Gwich'in
spoke to us about their struggle for economic and cultural survival.
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| We heard of the crises faced by African-American
communities in North Carolina, and by Native Americans on the
Rosebud Sioux Reservation in South Dakota, as they battle
environmental and legal problems with huge corporate hog operations.
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| We learned of folk who have had to fight both
government and corporations to achieve the cleanup of toxic wastes
in their own neighborhoods.
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| We discovered how Central American coffee growers,
caught up in the globalized economy, need to connect with "fair
trade" networks to maintain a livable income. |
Those who are exploited, oppressed and marginalized deserve our support,
encouragement and empowerment in their efforts.
Shalom!
Peter Sawtell, Executive Director, Eco-Justice Ministries
On the web: www.eco-justice.org
E-mail: ministry@eco-justice.org |
The Eco-Justice conference also discussed the
loss of coral reefs as a major threat to the globe - and suggested
dealing with this issue both as a policy issue and (more accessibly) as
a matter for prayer in congregations. [6-2-01]
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