tagged w/ MUUC
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Bishops and other faith leaders dicuss faith and protecting the environment during Earth day 2009 blessing and planting of the first of 12,000 trees.
Across northern Michigan this weekend, over 12,000 trees will be planted at thousands of locations in three hours by 100 churches and temples.
Trees for two locations have been delayed and will be planted on Sunday, May 10, 2009.
Some groups and individuals have donated money to help the tree project including Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Western U.P. Chapter 30918 in Ironwood, Michigan.
It's the interfaith Upper Peninusla EarthKeeper Tree Project.
Projects involves ten religions (faith traditions), college students, Native Americans and two nonprofits.
It's the fifth annual Earth Keeper project for Earth Day including the 2006 recycling of 320 tons of computers, hard drives, related eqipment and cell phones - and the 2007 collection of over one ton of pills and other pharmaceuticals.
Faith community congregations turned out by the tens of thousands to participate in all the EarthKeeper projects across a 400-mile area of remote northern Michigan.Bishops and other faith leaders dicuss faith and protecting the environment during... more
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First EarthKeeper High Def. Video
Marquette, MI - The Northern Michigan EarthKeepers will plant 12,000 trees in three hours this Sunday, May 3rd at thousands of locations across Michigan's Upper Peninsula including 100 churches and temples.
The trees will be distributed Saturday morning.
Bishops and leaders from northern Michigan's largest faith communities planted the first of 12,000 trees during an Earth Day 2009 ceremony on the shores of Lake Superior.
Standing on a hillside surrounded by huge pine trees two bishops and several other faith leaders blessed a three-foot native species white spruce tree and took turns putting shovels full of dirt into the hole.
Anticipating the cold April weather, organizers earlier decided to plant the rest of the trees on Sunday, May 3 when the weather is more appropriate for planting the 12,000 12-to-16-inch seedlings at numerous locations across northern Michigan including 100 churches and temples.
The EarthKeeper team includes ten faith traditions (Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Baha'i, Jewish, Zen Buddist, Quakers) with over 150 participating churches/temples, nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership (SWP), nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute (CTI), and the Northern Michigan University EarthKeeper (NMU EK) Student Team.
The concept of "EarthKeeping goes beyond the Upper Peninsula" because throughout the Great Lakes states "we're having a ripple effect" as people and groups "are replicating the work that the EarthKeepers have done here," said Carl Lindquist, SWP executive director. "They’re patterning their events after some of the successful programs we have had here."
Michigan faith leaders favor protecting the environment.
"This is very much a marvelous moment in the life of our work together as faith communities," said Rev. Jon Magnuson, CTI executive director and EarthKeeper Initiative co-founder. "This is another step in our interfaith work. We have found an expression of our faith in very, very hands-on work like this the EarthKeeping Tree Project."
All humans "are called to be steward's of God's creation and no matter what faith tradition we come from that responsibility lies with us human creatures," said Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette Bishop Alexander Sample.
"Those of us endowed with intelligence and with the ability to choose good and avoid evil," said Bishop Sample, who oversees 94 U.P. parishes and missions with 61,000 members.
Bishop Sample said the book of Revelations "speaks of the life-giving power of water and how the tree draws its life from the water." Bishop Sample said he grew up in the desert southwest and "didn't see a lot of water" or the "beauty of the forests and trees."
Sample said "I truly thought I had entered paradise" when his family moved to the Upper Peninsula at the age of 17.
"This whole movement has focused on how the faith communities can work together to preserve this great gift that we have here in the Upper Peninsula, this great watershed and it's wonderful combination of lakes and streams, and forests everywhere," said Northern Great Lakes Synod Lutheran Bishop Thomas Skrenes.
"Trees cover the earth and trees are part of healing the earth," said Skrenes, the head of 94 U.P. Lutheran congregations with 40,000 members
The Earth Keeper's ten faith communities have "various ways of doing things and looking at life" but "come together for this important task," said United Methodist Church (UMC) Marquette District Superintendent Grant Lobb.
"We are glad to be part of EarthKeepers," said Lobb, whose district has 8,372 parishioners and 60 northern Michigan congregations.
Full story:
http://www.upearthkeepers.org
http://www.superiorwatersheds.org
http://www.cedartreeinstitute.orgFirst EarthKeeper High Def. Video
Marquette, MI - The Northern Michigan... more
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WBUP TV story on interfaith EarthKeepers planting 12,000 Trees for Earth Day
The WBUP/WPKP Channel 5 & 10 news department in Marquette, Michigan helped promote the latest interfaith Earth Keepers Project.
The Upper Great Lakes News (UGN) Network did a story on Upper Peninsula Earth Keepers who will plant 12,000 trees across northern Michigan in honor of Earth Day 2009.
The story has an interview with Gail Griffith, EarthKeeper Implementation Team co-chair.
The Earth Keepers thank reporter Lindsey Cramer and the rest of the UGN Team.
WBUP/WBKP TV - UGN
http://www.tv5and10.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:wbkp-wbup.jpg
Lindsey Cramer
Lindsey at lscbc.com
Channel 10
WBUP-TV
(906)-225-5700
The public and media are invited to an Earth Day 2009 Blessing of the Trees planting ceremony with representatives of ten faith traditions at 3:30 p.m. on Wed., April 22 next to the Presque Isle pavilion in Marquette.
"The EarthKeeper project this year is one where people from across the U.P. will see tangible results of their earth stewardship," said Gail Griffith, EarthKeeper Implementation Team co-chair. "I hope that congregations involve their young people in their planning and planting."
The EarthKeeper team includes ten faith traditions with over 150 participating churches/temples, the nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership (SWP), the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute (CTI), and the Northern Michigan University EarthKeeper Student Team.
Founded in 2004, the EarthKeeper Covenant is signed by the bishops/leaders of ten faith communities: Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Baha'i, Jewish, Zen Buddhist and the Quakers.
The trees "will be wrapped individually in a plastic bag with planting instructions,” said Carl Lindquist, SWP executive director. "It's fun and it helps further our long term protection and restoration goals for local watersheds and the Great Lakes."
On Sat., May 2, participating churches and temples will pick up their trees at local conservation district offices and have been asked to bless the seedlings before planting at numerous locations Sun., May 3 assisted by the NMU EarthKeeper Student Team and other volunteers.
To request trees call Kyra Fillmore at 906-228-2388
The trees were purchased/donated by the U.P. EarthKeeper team, SWP, Holli Forest Products, the Forestland Group, Plum Creek Timber Company and Meister's Greenhouses.
"Our interfaith tree planting effort is more than another conservation project," said Rev. Jon Magnuson, CTI executive director and EarthKeeper Initiative co-founder. "With prayers, hymns and the blessing of 12,000 seedlings, it's a gentle proclamation of a new consciousness and commitment among our faith communities to care for God's creation."
This is the fifth U.P. EarthKeepers environment project for Earth Day.
From 2005-2007, over 15,000 people turned in more than 360 tons of household hazardous waste at a dozen collection sites across the U.P. Most items were recycled and the remainder was properly disposed under federal guidelines including electronic waste like electronic waste like computers, monitors and printers plus cell phones, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, herbicides, oil-based paint and vehicle batteries.
Last year EarthKeepers provided a household energy conservation checklist that resulted in over 3 million pounds of carbon being reduced. In past projects, EarthKeepers partnered with numerous groups including the U.S. EPA and the Keweenaw Bay Indian community.
For tree info call the SWP at 906-228-6095
U.P. EarthKeeper Team:
http://www.upearthkeepers.org
Nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership in Marquette, MI
http://www.superiorwatersheds.org
Nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute in Marquette, MI
http://www.cedartreeinstitute.org
Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain (Bahá'í Community) of Interfaith Resources - Special Ideas website:
http://www.interfaithresources.com
1-800-326-1197
justice@special-ideas.comWBUP TV story on interfaith EarthKeepers planting 12,000 Trees for Earth Day
The... more
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Upper Peninsula EarthKeepers discussed the planting of 12,000 trees across northern Michigan for Earth Day 2009 during the live interview on WKQS Radio in Marquette, Michigan.
The interview was on WKQS in Marquette at 7:30 a.m. on Monday April 20, 2009
News Director and WKQS Sunny 102 morning drive co-host Walt Lindala interviewed Natasha Koss of the Superior Watershed Partnership & Catholic EarthKeeper Kyra Fillmore, EarthKeeper communications coordinator for faith communities, about the EarthKeeper Tree Project coming up in May to plant 12,000 trees around the U.P.
WKQS
http://broadcasteverywhere.com/marknwalt
The public and media are invited to an Earth Day 2009 Blessing of the Trees planting ceremony with representatives of ten faith traditions at 3:30 p.m. April 22 next to the Presque Isle pavilion in Marquette.
"The EarthKeeper project this year is one where people from across the U.P. will see tangible results of their earth stewardship," said Gail Griffith, EarthKeeper Implementation Team co-chair. "I hope that congregations involve their young people in their planning and planting."
The EarthKeeper team includes ten faith traditions with over 150 participating churches/temples, the nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership (SWP), the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute (CTI), and the Northern Michigan University EarthKeeper Student Team.
Founded in 2004, the EarthKeeper Covenant is signed by the bishops/leaders of ten faith communities: Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Baha'i, Jewish, Zen Buddhist and the Quakers.
The trees "will be wrapped individually in a plastic bag with planting instructions,” said Carl Lindquist, SWP executive director. "It's fun and it helps further our long term protection and restoration goals for local watersheds and the Great Lakes."
On May 2, participating churches and temples will pick up their trees at local conservation district offices and have been asked to bless the seedlings before planting at numerous locations Sun., May 3 assisted by the NMU EarthKeeper Student Team and other volunteers.
To request trees call Kyra Fillmore at 906-228-2388
The trees were purchased/donated by the U.P. EarthKeeper team, SWP, Holli Forest Products, the Forestland Group, Plum Creek Timber Company and Meister's Greenhouses.
"Our interfaith tree planting effort is more than another conservation project," said Rev. Jon Magnuson, CTI executive director and EarthKeeper Initiative co-founder. "With prayers, hymns and the blessing of 12,000 seedlings, it's a gentle proclamation of a new consciousness and commitment among our faith communities to care for God's creation."
Those donating to the project include Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Western U.P. Chapter 30918 in Ironwood, MI
This is the fifth U.P. EarthKeepers environment project for Earth Day.
From 2005-2007, over 15,000 people turned in more than 360 tons of household hazardous waste at a dozen collection sites across the U.P. Most items were recycled and the remainder was properly disposed under federal guidelines including electronic waste like electronic waste like computers, monitors and printers plus cell phones, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, herbicides, oil-based paint and vehicle batteries.
Last year EarthKeepers provided a household energy conservation checklist that resulted in over 3 million pounds of carbon being reduced.
In past projects, EarthKeepers partnered with numerous groups including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Keweenaw Bay Indian community.
For tree planting info call the SWP at 906-228-6095
U.P. EarthKeeper Team:
http://www.upearthkeepers.org
Nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership
http://www.superiorwatersheds.org
Nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute
http://www.cedartreeinstitute.org
Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain (Bahá'í Community) of Interfaith Resources - Special Ideas website:
http://www.interfaithresources.comUpper Peninsula EarthKeepers discussed the planting of 12,000 trees across northern... more
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(Marquette, Michigan) - The Upper Peninsula interfaith EarthKeepers will create the equivalent of a forest across the Lake Superior basin for Earth Day 2009 as 12,000 trees are planted by about 100 churches and temples in northern Michigan.
"The EarthKeeper project this year is one where people from across the Upper Peninsula will see tangible results of their earth stewardship," said Gail Griffith, EarthKeeper Implementation Team co-chair. "I hope that congregations involve their young people in their planning and planting."
"Each year the staff at the Superior Watershed Partnership looks forward to helping the EarthKeepers coordinate an event," said Carl Lindquist, SWP executive director. "It's fun and it helps further our long term protection and restoration goals for local watersheds and the Great Lakes."
The EarthKeeper team includes ten faith traditions with over 150 participating churches/temples, the nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership (SWP), the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute (CTI), and the Northern Michigan University EarthKeeper Student Team.
Founded in 2004, the Earth Keeper Covenant has been signed by the bishops/leaders of ten faith communities: Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Baha'i, Jewish, Zen Buddist and the Lake Superior Friends (Quakers).
United Methodist Church (UMC) Marquette District Superintendent Grant R. Lobb said one tree provides many positive benefits like "improving air quality, stabilizing the soil, providing shade, and giving beauty to our sight."
An annual Jewish holiday celebrates the blossoming of the almond trees in Israel at the start of spring, said Dr. Constance Arnold, president of the board for Temple Beth Sholom.
"Tu B'Shvat is a very ancient holiday we observe yearly," said Arnold. "This is a reminder of the importance of trees."
Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette Bishop Alexander K. Sample said he encourages parishes "to participate fully in this EarthKeeper project."
Northern Great Lakes Synod Lutheran Bishop Thomas A. Skrenes said "trees matter" and encouraged Sunday school classes, confirmation classes, men and women groups and others to plant as many trees as possible.
The connection between trees and a healthy world has long been taught in the Bahá'í Faith, said Dr. Rodney H. Clarken, chair of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Marquette.
Clarken cited the works of well-known Bahá`í conservationist Richard St. Barbe Baker of England who is nicknamed the "Man of the Trees."
The head priest for Lake Superior Zendo, a Marquette Zen Buddhist Temple, said "we absolutely must care for mother earth."
"Human life, literally and figuratively, is inseparable from mother earth," said Reverend Tesshin Paul Lehmberg, EarthKeeper Implementation Team co-chair. "We are inextricably threaded to her. In caring for her, we care for ourselves."
David McCowen, a member of Lake Superior Friends one of two Quaker groups in the U.P., said trees provide "wind breaks, wildlife habitat, fuel source, and a cellulose fiber source."
The EarthKeeper Tree Planting Project is "another opportunity to work cooperatively with God and nature to replenish the earth," said Pastor Dave Anderson of Grace Presbyterian Church in Sagola and chaplain for the Dickinson County Healthcare System.
Marquette Unitarian Universalist Congregation (MUUC) celebrant coordinator Nancy Irish said planting trees is a "simple and meaningful way to put our environmental concern into action" because they "serve as lungs, shelter, inspiration, comfort, and sustenance for other living creatures."
Episcopal EarthKeeper team member Nancy Auer of Houghton, MI said there are good reasons to plant trees "in a region of the country known for trees" including minimizing the effects of logging.
"Our interfaith tree planting effort is more than another conservation project," said Rev. Jon Magnuson, CTI executive director and EarthKeeper Initiative co-founder.(Marquette, Michigan) - The Upper Peninsula interfaith EarthKeepers will create the... more
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Rev. Tesshin Paul Lehmberg, head priest of Lake Superior Zendo - the Zen Buddhist Temple in Marquete, MI, writes the second of seven columns in five northern Michigan newspapers asking people to respect the earth and promoting the planting of 12,000 trees across the Upper Peninsula by interfaith EarthKeepers.
Lehmberg is the co-chair of the EarthKeeper Implementation Team.
This column appeared in the Mining Journal - the daily newspaper in Marquette, Michigan
Background on project:
(Marquette, Michigan) - The Upper Peninsula interfaith EarthKeepers will create the equivalent of a forest across the Lake Superior basin for Earth Day 2009 as 12,000 trees are planted by about 100 churches and temples in northern Michigan.
"The EarthKeeper project this year is one where people from across the Upper Peninsula will see tangible results of their earth stewardship," said Gail Griffith, EarthKeeper Implementation Team co-chair. "I hope that congregations involve their young people in their planning and planting."
"Each year the staff at the Superior Watershed Partnership looks forward to helping the EarthKeepers coordinate an event," said Carl Lindquist, SWP executive director. "It's fun and it helps further our long term protection and restoration goals for local watersheds and the Great Lakes."
The EarthKeeper team includes ten faith traditions with over 150 participating churches/temples, the nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership (SWP), the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute (CTI), and the Northern Michigan University EarthKeeper Student Team.
Founded in 2004, the Earth Keeper Covenant has been signed by the bishops/leaders of ten faith communities: Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Baha'i, Jewish, Zen Buddist and the Lake Superior Friends (Quakers).
"Our interfaith tree planting effort is more than another conservation project," said Rev. Jon Magnuson, CTI executive director and EarthKeeper Initiative co-founder. "With prayers, hymns and the blessing of 12,000 seedlings, it's a gentle proclamation of a new consciousness and commitment among our faith communities to care for God's creation."
Lindquist said the trees "will be wrapped individually in a plastic bag with planting instructions."
"Kids love helping to plant trees," said Lindquist, EarthKeeper Initiative co-founder. "We encourage people to take them home or camp and to plant them as soon as possible and to water them."
The public is invited to an Earth Day 2009 Blessing of the Trees planting ceremony with representatives of ten faith traditions at 3:30 p.m. on Wed., April 22 next to the Presque Isle pavilion in Marquette.
A blessing and planting of 12,000 trees will be held at various times on Sunday, May 3 at about 100 churches and temples across the Upper Peninsula.
Most of the trees will be planted on May 3, 2009
Trees will be picked up at local conservation district offices in the U.P. on Sat., May 2.
Faith groups can plant the trees anywhere they decide and give out trees to members and others.
It's not to late to request trees for your church or temple: Call Kyra Fillmore 906-228-2388 For tree info call SWP at 906-228-6095
Story with quotes from the EarthKeeper faith leaders:
http://www.cedartreeinstitute.org/earth-day-2009.html
Links:
http://www.upearthkeepers.org
http://www.superiorwatersheds.org
http://www.cedartreeinstitute.orgRev. Tesshin Paul Lehmberg, head priest of Lake Superior Zendo - the Zen Buddhist... more
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