EarthKeeperCovenantPressRelease

NEWS RELEASE: JULY 18. 2004

MICHIGAN FAITH LEADERS ISSUE EARTH KEEPER COVENANT

On July 17, 2004, spiritual leaders of nine different religious communities released a public document confirming their coniniitment to “protection of the natural environment” in the Great Lakes Basin. Signers included representatives of the Roman Catholic, Episcopal, United Methodist, Lutheran (ELCA), Presbyterian, Zen Buddhist, Baha’i, Jewish, and Unitarian Universalist traditions.

The Covenant specifically invites faith communities to collectively initiate annual “clean sweeps” in collaboration with state and federal programs, “encouraging the collection and disposal of toxic chemicals that threaten our neighborhoods, towns, and villages.” It also pledges to work alongside citizen advisory bodies for the Canadian and United States governments in “coordinating a network - a spiritual shield - for protecting air and water quality around Lake Superior, the headwaters of all the Great Lakes.” The Covenant makes a commitment for a “new educational effort to bring a deeper appreciation for important environmental issues” that shape often bitter public debates and lie as cause for social unrest The nine leaders also encourage partnerships of their parishes and congregations with American Indian Tribes in Northern Michigan sharing a common vision for future protection of the earth’s natural resources.

Rev. Jon Magnuson, a Lutheran pastor in Marquette and Director of The Cedar Tree Institute, a nonprofit organization providing programs in the area of mental health, religion, and the environment, says of the effort, “The battles over our environment here in the Upper Peninsula increasingly define basjc life questions for all of us. These concerns are shaping the conscience for a new generation. It’s important that people of faith, representing deep, tested spiritual traditions, are at the table as we make not only economic but moral and ethical decisions that will impact our children and grandchildren for generations to come.”

Implementation of the Earth Keeper Covenant will be camed out by a team of representatives from each of the nine traditions with the assistance of The Cedar Tree Institute, The Central Lake Superior Watershed, and The Nature Conservazjcy. This two year project is partially underwritten with support of the Environmental Protection Agency. For more information contact The Cedar Tree Institute at 906-228-5494 or Rev. Charlie West at 906-225- 0616; E-mail: mqtchaz@earthlink.net

Earth Keeper Covenant Document


Earth Keeper Covenant
NEWS RELEASE: JULY 18. 2004 MICHIGAN FAITH LEADERS ISSUE EARTH KEEPER COVENANT On July 17, 2004, spiritual leaders of nine different religious communities released a public document confirming their coniniitment to “protection of the natural environment” in the Great Lakes Basin. Signers included representatives of the Roman Catholic, Episcopal, United Methodist, Lutheran (ELCA), Presbyterian, Zen Buddhist, Baha’i, Jewish, and Unitarian Universalist traditions. The Covenant specifically invites faith communities to collectively initiate annual “clean sweeps” in collaboration with state and federal programs, “encouraging the collection and disposal of toxic chemicals that threaten our neighborhoods, towns, and villages.” It also pledges to work alongside citizen advisory bodies for the Canadian and United States governments in “coordinating a network - a spiritual shield - for protecting air and water quality around Lake Superior, the headwaters of all the Great Lakes.” The Covenant makes a commitment for a “new educational effort to bring a deeper appreciation for important environmental issues” that shape often bitter public debates and lie as cause for social unrest The nine leaders also encourage partnerships of their parishes and congregations with American Indian Tribes in Northern Michigan sharing a common vision for future protection of the earth’s natural resources. Rev. Jon Magnuson, a Lutheran pastor in Marquette and Director of The Cedar Tree Institute, a nonprofit organization providing programs in the area of mental health, religion, and the environment, says of the effort, “The battles over our environment here in the Upper Peninsula increasingly define basjc life questions for all of us. These concerns are shaping the conscience for a new generation. It’s important that people of faith, representing deep, tested spiritual traditions, are at the table as we make not only economic but moral and ethical decisions that will impact our children and grandchildren for generations to come.” Implementation of the Earth Keeper Covenant will be camed out by a team of representatives from each of the nine traditions with the assistance of The Cedar Tree Institute, The Central Lake Superior Watershed, and The Nature Conservazjcy. This two year project is partially underwritten with support of the Environmental Protection Agency. For more information contact The Cedar Tree Institute at 906-228-5494 or Rev. Charlie West at 906-225- 0616; E-mail: mqtchaz@earthlink.net Earth Keeper Covenant Document