Climate change and the purposes of God: a call to the Church

Operation Noah launched The Ash Wednesday Declaration on 22nd February 2012 at the start of the Christian season of Lent. The Declaration, written by Operation Noah’s theology think tank, challenges the church to realise that care for God’s creation – and concern about climate change – is foundational to the Christian gospel and central to the church’s mission.

Operation Noah see this Declaration as a call of considerable significance. It marks a definitive line for the church: if we are Christians these are key issues which we need to respond to – as individuals, as local churches and as a national Church.

Here http://www.operationnoah.org/ you can:

•  Read the full Text of the Declaration,
• Download the Declaration in various forms (or order copies), and
•  Sign the Declaration for yourself, your church or organization

If you are inspired to take this further, the Theology Resources section provides a wide range of theological resources to unpack the significance of this Declaration with bible study and sermons, while our For Churches section gives you ideas on how to introduce the Declaration and its significance to your church fellowship.

Just one idea for a Lenten focus!

Blessings,

+Greg

February 7th was one of the most spectacular days and at the end, one of the saddest.  I probably shot more film on this day than any other, but for some reason, when I got back to the house that night, no films on the camera.   They were there throughout the day so something happened, most likely operator error, but I am still sick about it.   The people I met this day, and the projects we saw were really special and I hate that I lost most of it visually.  But I do have it in my mind and heart and will try to give you what I can that way.

On February 7th we arose early, that was about every day, and we headed to Upi, Maguindanao a long municipality outside of Cotabato City.   As we got out onto the street to take the two of us and the car to our drivers house, the truck stopped, in the middle of the busy streets I have shown you, but the Bishop got it going and soon we were on our way.  The truck tried to continue to die during the day, but in the end, we made it through a long day!

First stop was St. Francis School, Upi.  This municipality is where the largest concentration of Episcopalians reside in the Southern Philippines.  An American soldier from Boston, Captain Irving Bryant Edwards, an Episcopalian, planted churches all over this area.  He is well known and revered.  His statue and name you will find in many places.   There are about 40 churches in all, served right now by ONE priest.  There are a few more at St. Francis.  There are only 26 priests in this whole diocese!

St. Francis School has the full 10 grades, with about 600 students.  Like most of the schools here the students are predominantly Muslim. Due to the truck problem we were late for the flag ceremony where we were supposed to join, but the principal brought the kids out again and I addressed them for a short time, taking questions afterward.  The first one of which was “How old are you?”  I asked the young man back, “how old do you think I am”  After looking at me for a while, he said, 57!   That will teach me to ask!

We had a good time there and then moved to see several tree planting projects and meeting the families and farmers along the way.  Eventually we made our way back to St. Francis for a tour of the Rice Dryer and the site right behind it for the proposed Rubber Tree Nursery, which we, Olympia, hope to have a major part of.  The Rice Dryer is very successful and ERD was a major player in this.  It now employs 7 people and it offers a much less expensive alternative to farmers in the area.  It is sustainable as well, and well run.   Bong, the outreach and development coordinator on Bishop Bustamante’s staff was instrumental in this and will be in the nursery as well.  I interviewed him the next day about this, after the Flip was working again, and that movie is below, about 5 minutes long.

After a great lunch, with several town’s people, a council woman, the chair of the board, we moved on to yet more projects, and then to Upi Agricultural College.  This is where many students from the area get higher education, and there is a high school here as well.  Students pay 10 pesos to attend, which is less than a US quarter.  The school struggles because of that, but the faculty was amazing, very qualified, and the work they are doing to protect the environment is remarkable.  We visited their nurseries, their bio-fertilizer plant, and their worm farm.   We ended a very hot and humid walk with fresh coconut juice/water in front of the school, and then I asked to break them open, which we did so we could eat the meat of the coconut! ( This is one of my favorite things in the world and I have now done it in El Salvador and the Philippines!)

Upi Agricultural School was started by Captain Edwards.  His statue is prominent in front of the school.  One of his granddaughters works at the school and I met her, and on the way back to Cotabato that evening, I met the one daughter still living in Upi.

Captain Edward’s daughter

We left that school and went into the town center to meet with the Mayor of North Upi, Mayor Ramon Piang, Sr. a Roman Catholic, mayor since 2001, and a very progressive person.  Upi is remarkably peaceful at the moment, and much of this is from the good work of local officials who wish to make peace the way of being.  They also have a deep commitment to environmental concerns.

When we left the mayor’s office we traveled to a bio-fertilizer operation, jointly run by the municipality, and other partners.   This is made with bat guano, and carbonized rice husks.  It is very rich and has come more and more in favor with local farmers.

The mayor presented me with the tribal Upi hat, which I proudly have in my office and as was the case on many visits, a version of the Hawaiian lei, but usually with fabric, and a centerpiece of a flower, or something.  The mayor presented us with one with the colors of Upi and a small version of the hat.  Also in my office.  Come see it sometime.  The mayor, and everyone else, was so hospitable.

I know I will see this one again someday!

On the way back, we stopped in Cotabato City at St. John’s Mission and School.  Bishop James, the immediate past Bishop of the Southern Philippines has put a lot into this place and he was there waiting for us when we arrived, an hour late.  The children, mostly Jr. High age, had waited for that time, and adjusted one day since I had hoped to go there the next day, and there they were! When I pulled up there was a drum core, with two majorettes, and they played for 10 minutes, showing off their great skills and moves!

There was a huge sign that read “Welcome Bishop Rickel and Company.”  As the principal said later, “They all wanted to stay around to see the Americano!”  Some of these kids are of the age that they have never seen one; this being a torn place, where the State Department advises not traveling and all.   I again was given the privilege of speaking to the student body, and afterward nearly every one wanted a blessing, and pictures, and autographs.  It was a bit overwhelming.   We were fed once again!! And then we moved on to the Bishop’s Residence, where we had a feast!  The staff, Bishop James and his wife, and clergy met with us there.  It was my last night in the Southern Philippines.  I could not believe it had gone so fast, and yet so very full too.

On February 8th, I awoke, had some final meetings with the staff, visited the Cathedral next door, and the new diocesan office, conference center, that is under construction but almost ready!

Bishop Danilo Bustamante in the new diocesan offices

Then off to lunch down the street, the first real time I had been out in the town, for a very nice lunch, and then to the airport.   Bishop Danilo got me to the airport and up to security.  We said our goodbye’s and I waited for Philippine Airlines to take me to Manila.  Earlier Bishop Danilo had told me that PAL (Philippine Airlines) stands for “Plane Always Late.”  But on this day it was right on time, leaving even about 5 minutes early.   I arrived in Manila, got to my hotel, and awaited the arrival of Floyd Lawlet of the National Philippine Church office and Peter Eng from our 815 office who was in Manila as our Presiding Bishop was arriving there the day after I left.

We had a very good dinner and Peter asked that Olympia host the Philippine Joint Committee in November of this year, which I happily agreed to do.  After a good dinner, a wonderful night’s rest, and no need to get up early the next morning, which I did anyway, to workout, eat, and then head to the airport for my 10 hour flight to Honolulu, a three hour layover, and then a 5 hour flight on to Seattle.  I left Manila at 7:50 pm. February 9th and arrived in Seattle at 10:00 p.m. February 9th.  I wish it really were a three hour flight!

So, that was my trip.  I welcome questions, and my next post will be about what our plans are now the trip has occurred and the covenant has been signed.

Blessings,

+Greg

On Sunday, February 5th, after a good breakfast at the Hotel Lantanka in Zamboanga, we headed to the Church of the Good Shepherd in that same city.  This was the parish where Bishop Bustamante was Rector when he was elected bishop and the town where he grew up.   On this day it was my great honor to preach, at his invitation, and it was the place we would sign the new covenant we have just entered into.   We did that in the course of our worship and I sent the video of that out in my first post of the Philippines.

Afterwards, we were treated to another great feast, and more music, and good fellowship, and then Bishop Bustamante and I headed for the airport for out trip to Davao.  We took Cebu Airlines this time, and although a bit behind they did get us there, across to the more eastern part of the island with not too much delay.  We had to fly through Manila, and then connect, about 1.5 hours on each flight.

I should explain now that the Diocese of the Southern Philippines will be splitting in two, officially announced at the convention at the end of this month.  Davao will be the Cathedral City of the new diocese.  We flew in and were hosted by the St. Philip and St. James Parish which is also part of the Davao Episcopal Mission Center, which is a very nice retreat center/meeting center, with rooms for a good size group.  We spent a very restful night here.  Davao and surrounding area is known for its rich agriculture and especially fruit.  I ate things here I have never seen before and they were excellent!  We had a very good meeting with the Vestry and leadership, then to bed.

The next morning we had breakfast, again a very good one, at the Center, then a tour of what will basically be the diocesan office and cathedral of the new diocese ,then we began our day long road trip back across the island to Cotobato City, the Cathedral city of the diocese and the home of Bishop Bustamante and diocesan staff.   We first traveled to the Eagle Farm, just outside the city.  This is the home and sanctuary of the Philippine Eagle, which like ours, is in danger of extinction.  It is a quite interesting bird and the Eagle Farm was a most interesting place.   On the way in, we ran into a a whole slew of vendors, many of which had Pythons.  For one, it was feeding time, once a week event, a whole chicken, and its work on this is part of this video, just to warn you!   In this farm, which had a walkway made up of pavers with inscriptions of those across the Philippines and world who had donated to the farm, I found two pavers, one from Olympia, Washington, and one from Seattle!

After we left the farm, we continued our road trip.  We made a few stops along the way, especially for the fruit Durienne, which I had once before going and hated.  But I have to say, they taught me how to eat it, and how to love it, and love it they do!  As they told me it is the fruit which tastes like heaven, but smells like hell!  that is a good description, but we did stop, and we did buy lots of it!

We then went to Digos City, which is hardly a city, and was a really rural area.  This is where we rode in the trailer behind a tractor, across a bridge to get to the feast they made from banana and native chicken.  These are people living a simple but hard life, and yet joyous, and growing some amazing crops and livestock.   They host San Miguel Integrated Community Project, and it is very impressive what they are doing here, growing great crops, feeding many, loving the earth in the meantime.   After this fabulous visit we made our way across the island, on the two lane road which quite often was rugged and one lane!  At one point was detoured through a town. It took most of the day to go 169 KM.   Just about dark we made it to Cotobato City and the Cathedral Compound, where the bishop and I enjoyed dinner and then a night’s rest.

What amazing people I met again on this trip across the diocese.  You will meet a few in the videos below!

What a ride.  You think we have traffic and traveling challenges.  You ain’t seen nothing!

Blessings,

+Greg

The first thing I could not help but notice was that, on a Airbus 320, I was the only Anglo face.  This was an experience I was going to have quite a bit, and it was daunting at times, but also quite good for me.  I think of those among us that have to deal with the same every day, in some form or fashion.   This is made so by many things but mostly by the fact that this part of the Philippines is now under several travel warnings.  In fact, the most recent one on the State Department Website regarding Philippines mentions most of the areas I traveled and stayed in as places where Americans are discouraged from traveling.

All of that aside, I was warmly welcomed by Bishop Bustamante and some of his staff at the airport. They had gotten special permission to enter the airport secured area to meet me right off the plane.  We had a good evening meal and then off to my first night in the Lantanka Hotel, on the water.  And old but venerable place.  I was well taken care of here.  The next morning I was up early and picked up by Bong, another staff member and excellent driver for us during my stay, and taken to Brent School, named after Charles Henry Brent, the first missionary bishop to the Philippines after the US acquired the islands in the Spanish-American War.  Brent set up many schools and his name is on many of them.  Brent School is Zamboanga is Chaired by Bishop Bustamante, and I was fortunate to be there for the 98th Anniversary of the school.  So, an early morning Eucharist, breakfast with diocesan clergy and school staff.

After that, Bishop Bustamante chaired the Board meeting as several area residents and clergy took me up to see several tree planting environmental projects they put on steep hillsides to mitigate earlier slash and burn tactics.  The local parish and diocese worked extensively with local farmers to help in this area.   We also visited the Church of the Good Shepherd in Zamboanga where I would preach the next morning and where Bishop Bustamante and I would sign the covenant I posted last night.  I had a scrumptious lunch, the first of many great meals, in the gazebo at Good Shepherd, where this is also a school, all 10 grades, with about 400 students.

With a full stomach and still reeling from jet lag I was blessedly given a chance to rest a bit at the hotel and this also gave me time to work on my sermon.  In late afternoon I was picked up again for a dinner at Brent School and then a front row seat at the Faculty Appreciation and 98th Anniversary Show!  There are videos below of some of the truly great acts put on by students and faculty.   Wonderful night!  So much fun!  After a later night than we first thought, back to the hotel for a night’s rest.

More tomorrow!

Blessings,

+Greg

As you well know over the last few years I have selected a book to encourage our diocese to read together.  This year I have a novel idea, no pun intended.  My book selection for the Lent is ….the Bible.  As Episcopalians, we hear the Bible, if in church, quite frequently, but putting it in a continuous context, focusing on it more as to story and study, and increasing our biblical literacy, we do not often major in that.  This would be my hope in our journey in Lent.   I have to say I was inspired by a new project I was invited into, The Center for Biblical Studies, started by the Rev. Merek Zibriskie, Episcopal priest and Rector of St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church, Fort Washington, PA,  The basic focus of this Center is described by them as the following:

The Center for Biblical Studies has designed a one-year reading schedule to help those who commit as individuals or as members of a church, a church school or a diocese to read successfully through the entire Bible in a year’s time.  The CBS intentionally focuses on reading the entire Bible, reading the books of the Bible in sequence and ensuring that a psalm and a portion of the New Testament are read each day in order to provide strong spiritual daily content to sustain readers working through the entire Bible.

The Center has come up with a schedule which will be available on our diocesan website, but also on their own.

http://thecenterforbiblicalstudies.org/read-the-bible-in-a-year-from-lent-to-lent/

If you want the schedule in hard copy you can either print this or we will be glad to send you one.

I have agreed to serve on the Advisory Board of the Center, along with bishops across the Episcopal Church and around the Anglican Communion.  The Diocese of Olympia is also a founding diocese of the Center.

And to make clear I would never ask you to do anything I am not willing to do myself, I actually began my year of reading on January 1st, and have kept up even to today.  So, I will be continuing my reading along with you as you read in Lent.    The Center has designed a special schedule for our diocese so that we might begin in Lent.

As  for our ongoing discussion, another facet of this work each Lent, I am hoping we will use my blog to discuss the discoveries we have as we read the Bible with more intensity than usual.

Now, I know there are those among us who will not really want to do this.  Last year I selected a book but also gave some options.  I would give one, which for me, was a close second to what is described above, that being the Rev. Dr. Sam Torvend’s book on baptism, entitled, Flowing Water, Uncommon Birth: Christian Baptism in a Post-Christian Culture“   This is ready made for a group study and is an excellent book which I can highly recommend.

As for the Bible, I am often asked which  “version” to get.  The translation is certainly your preference, but I like the NRSV and right now, thanks to James Thibideaux at St. Peter’s, Seattle, I am using the Renovare Spiritual Formation Bible published by Cokesbury.  This bible has biographies, added footnotes, and some questions for individual and group consideration.  I like it.

So, I hope and pray we will use Lent to begin a discipline of more regular biblical reading and increasing our literacy of the primary book of our faith.   I will be joining you and have been blessed by my reading so far.

Blessings to you all!

+Greg

And he looks so out of place

With his shrimpskin boots and his cheap Cheroots

And his skin as white as paste…Jimmy Buffett

Over the last 10 days, I have been in the Philippines.  I am sure there are many questions why, and so today, and in the days to come I want to answer that question in as much detail as I can.  This actually goes all the way back to the last General Convention when I met Floyd Lawlet, National Development Officer for the Episcopal Church in the Philippines.  He briefly stated that he hoped we could develop a closer relationship between the Diocese of Olympia and the Church in the Philippines.  From there Mike Schutt, Environmental Officer for the Episcopal Church, who resides in Seattle, got into the picture posing a possible companion relationship based on the environment.  One day, along the way, I received an email from the Rt. Rev. Danilo Bustamante, Bishop of the Southern Philippines, hoping we might explore a partnership.

Over the last two years we have emailed often, we have visited, first JB Hoover and Nancy McConnell of our Diocesan Committee on the Environment, and then in this last week or so, finally, me.  The Diocese of the Southern Philippines is basically the entire island of Mindanao, which if you read State Department briefings, is clearly on the list of places Americans should not visit or travel.  That is understood when you are there, and yet they yearn for connection.  The Cathedral and Bishop’s residence, where I stayed for two nights, is in Cotobato City, which is currently under a state of emergency due to bombings and unrest due to Muslim extremists.  Bishop Bustamante was always very understanding of this, and clear as well, and yet also committed to providing security and a good experience of the diversity and great energy of the diocese.  This is exactly what I experienced.

In the Diocese of the Southern Philippines the environmental concerns are many with two specific concerns, great deforestation and mining, which both are taking a toll on the land.  You may remember the recent floods, which were in EDSP, and much of the landslide and death experienced in that event, which had never happened before in that region, occurred because of climate change, whatever its cause, and the affects of mining.  EDSP has been a leader in the area in planting trees especially and reclaiming land for the good.

Our relationship had to start with some stark realities, not the least of which is the security situation there, but also the restriction on travel by those residing there.  It is not at all easy for them to come see us here.  The other reality is ours to own, that being that the harm we cause the environment is so great, the magnitude of which makes some there less willing to mitigate their damage.   We have worked on that, and have developed a covenant which calls on us to reduce our carbon footprint and calls on EDSP to increase their efforts in tree planting.

So, in these last days that is where I have traveled and learned, and have seen so many of their projects of the past, projects ongoing now, and the plans and dreams for projects of the future.

I was so inspired by the people.  I come home with new friends and excited for the possibility of this relationship for the years to come.  I decided, due to the lack of internet connection in some places, and the need to focus my time and energy, not to try to blog during the trip, but do intend, over these next days, to relive it day by day on this blog.  I hope, in those days, to introduce you to this remarkable place, serving our Lord in difficult circumstance, but with great joy and commitment.  This will come in story, video, and pictures.

Today, I begin with two videos of the signing of the covenant between Olympia and EDSP.  This occurred last Sunday at Church of the Good Shepherd in Zamboanga City.    I will never be able to fully convey to you how meaningful my presence, and that prior of JB and Nancy, were to our brothers and sisters there or how meaningful it was to them to actually sign a companion document in their diocese, where in all other cases it had happened somewhere else.

I quoted the lyrics at the beginning of this writing from one of my favorite songs, that, in a way, came true on this trip.  At one point Bishop Dan declared me a “cowboy”, I am sure mostly because of my accent, but there it was, and my skin, now living in this part of the world, is surely white as paste, and I started this trip feeling very much out of place, but it certainly did not end that way!

So, I give you the first videos of our signing, I give you the actual companion document,  and the sermon I preached that day, and I invite you to journey along with me over the next days as I introduce you to the Episcopal Diocese of the Southern Philippines, our new partners in mission with a special focus on the environment, this earth we have been given to cherish and protect.

Blessings

+Greg

Here is a short, less than one minute video:

And here is one, about 11 minutes, much more thorough:

Sermon

The Rt. Rev. Gregory H. Rickel

Church of the Good Shepherd, Zamboanga City, Mindanao, Philippines

February 5, 2012

Before I launch into my sermon, I want to thank all of you, you have been most gracious in your welcome to me, your Rector got his office yesterday all ready for a siesta for me, and then Bong had to whisk me away, and the food for lunch yesterday by your ECW!, and your Brotherhood of St. Andrew’s I met, so excited because I have just become a brother and we are growing ours in Olympia, yet another connection we have, and I hope you will carry my thanks to those people in this parish and diocese that you know that could not be here or in any other place to hear me say it.  I am blessed by you. Our diocese, The Diocese of Olympia in Washington state,  is blessed by you and I thank you. 

I also want to say that I talk funny.   Someone asked me in Manila at the national office, finally, after hearing me talk, now what part of the US are you from?  Do all people from your part of the US talk like you?  No, I said, a lot of the people in my part of the US I live in now need a translator when they hear me talk, even though it is English.  So, you may even be having a more difficult time with hearing me.  I am from the South in the US, what some people call “the Country” and my talk is “country talk” which I am proud of, but may make your task of listening a bit more difficult.  If so, I apologize.

Map in gestures!

In just a moment Bishop Bustamante and I will sign a covenant.   I looked up the word covenant, not sure if you have such a word, perhaps you do, and if you do, it is usually better than our words, but anyway, our word says this, 

A covenant is a solemn agreement to engage in or refrain from a specified action.   For our covenant, it is mostly about engaging, but I would say it is also about refraining.  We are vowing to engage in good environmental practices, ones that make sense for you and for Olympia, in our context.   We are promising to engage in good faith at working together, even as we are

 apart. 

We are also saying we will refrain from sloth, from any laziness in this work, which might be easy to come when we are really so far apart.  We have to guard against this because relationship is really where all this started. 

Your bishop, was bold enough to reach out to me and ask, that he and I enter into discussions, and then as those discussions continued, with many faithful people engaged too, some in this room, some back in Seattle and the Diocese of Olympia, eager to make this relationship work, he hung in there with me when I had planned to be here a year ago but could not, and now, finally I stand with you, and in just a moment we will sign the covenant.  We have done a lot to get to this moment, and it is a great thing, but it is hardly an end, and we would do our relationship a great disservice to see it that way. 

This today is the culmination of great work, but it is more than anything a new beginning, the bringing together of different peoples, in different lands, but with many things the same, not the least of which is our belief in the power and the connection we share in Jesus Christ.  In that we are connected as in no other way.  But we have chosen to base that connection, and to find our work together in our environment, the care of this earth you and I live on, you on one side of it, me on the other, but all of us citizens of that neighborhood in this universe that we call Earth.

Why would we do this?  To protect the earth we have been given to cherish and protect by our God, most certainly, but why, put the Diocese of the Southern Philippines and Olympia together.  Well, I would like to turn to Paul today in I Corinthians.  Do you know about the Corinthians?  Do you know, it was a seaport town, much like this one and much like the town I live in. 

Corinth had all kinds of wild things going on it, and even the people in the Church that Paul addresses in this letter, and a church that he loves, even they are a bit wild.  I mean, they are doing some things he cannot imagine.   Don’t you think God looks at your town and sometimes thinks the same, I know God look at Seattle and thinks that! 

Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians is a letter responding, most scholars think, to a letter sent to him, by them, asking some specific questions.   And the first letter contains his answers. 

Paul starts off this passage by explaining what a commissioning from God is.  It is not necessarily doing what you want to do for God, but doing what God wants you to do.  Those are not always the same.  Do you understand what I am saying to you?  A

 commissioning. 

Yes, today we sign a covenant, but what it does is commission all of us, all of you in this diocese, all of us in ours, to care for this relationship, by working and praying together, by caring and praying for each other and this earth.  In a covenant, we care for each other by living up to our end, by doing what we said we would do. 

Paul goes on in his letter and basically says, sometimes I have to do things I might not do, eat things I might not like to eat (by the way do not worry, if you have been one of the people who have fed me while hear, I LOVE IT!) I am not talking about me, but you know, sometimes that is how it is, and Paul was saying the same.  Because, as Christians, baptized into the Body of Christ, we have been commissioned to follow not always what we want, but what God wants.  What that is, is not always easy to figure out.  That is why God gave us each other.

So, Paul asks these questions of himself, why do I do these things?  Why he asks, and by asking, tells the Corinthians, who in all of their craziness have gotten rather strict, kind of literal, unbending.   And Paul is really telling them, hey lighten up a bit.  Relax a bit.  Bend a little more.  His answer to them, is our answer.  I do all of these things because of the Gospel, so that I might be a participant in it.   That I might share in its blessings. 

That is the reason for us to be in this covenant and to take it seriously.  For doing that, we, you here in the Southern Philippines, and we in the Diocese of Olympia, together will proclaim the Gospel, so that we might participate in it, be blessed by it, grow together, and do a lot in the meantime for God’s creation he gave us to care for and protect. 

Bishop Bustamante, people of Good Shepherd and the Diocese of Southern Philippines, I, Bishop Rickel, and we the Diocese of Olympia, are in this for the long term, we want this relationship to grow, even from a distance, as we work together, as we honor and fully engage in this covenant with one another. 

Today, in this beginning, the Gospel will be proclaimed and the Body of Christ will be made stronger.  Thank you all for the blessing of our relationship, those we have now, and those yet to come. Amen!

A Caring for All Creation Partnership

- A Memorandum of Understanding between the Episcopal Diocese of the Southern Philippines

and the Diocese of Olympia, Washington, USA -

The Dioceses of the Southern Philippines and of Olympia, Western Washington, agree to establish a carbon offset project.

1. The Episcopal Diocese of the Southern Philippines (EDSP) will establish and maintain at least one nursery project at one of its churches or missions.  Parishioners or other workers will propagate, grow, and distribute seedlings of mahogany, rubber, coffee or other species which, when planted, will sequester carbon for a minimum of ten years and which will also combat deforestation.  Workers in the nursery will receive seedlings in compensation for their labor.  Other seedlings will be sold to offset costs of maintaining the nursery.  Preference will be given to buyers who participate in local environmental efforts to suppress charcoal burning and to replace trees lost to deforestation.  Buyers must agree to oversight of their plantings by the EDSP and / or the carbon offset project steering committee.

1. The Episcopal Diocese of the Southern Philippines will maintain records which specify the number of seedlings raised, sold and planted.  Records will also monitor the maintenance of the plantings and their duration over time.  This data will be used to compute a fair market value for tons of carbon sequestered.  A percentage (to be negotiated) from the sale of carbon offsets will be provided to the EDSP to cover administrative costs.

1. The Diocese of Olympia (DoO) agrees to encourage the purchase of carbon offsets from the EDSP.  Such offsets will be used to offset carbon emissions from travel by the clergy and staff of the DoO.  Churches and missions of the DoO that are enrolled in one of its greening paths may also purchase carbon offsets to enable them to reach the Genesis Covenant target of a 50% reduction of carbon dioxide emissions or to reach carbon neutrality.  No DoO church may participate unless it is 1) a greening congregation of Earth Ministry; 2) a Green Faith congregation; or 3) a congregation using the EPA’s carbon calculator for Houses of Worship to track energy use and with an active eco-justice or green committee.

1. The carbon offset project steering committee will consist of an equal number from each diocese and a chair.  The committee and chair will be appointed by the bishops of the EDSP and the DoO.  A maximum of 5 technical advisors will be asked to serve permanently on the committee, but other technical advisors may provide assistance to the committee during its deliberations.

1. Terms of agreement

1. It is agreed that the Term of the Memorandum is five (5) years from the date of signing and is renewable for an additional five (5) year term upon the written consent of both partners,  provided however that any projects are subject to periodic review and assessment.
2. Any amendments to this Memorandum must be in writing for the mutual benefit of both parties and be approved by the steering committee and both diocesan bishops.

The Memorandum may be terminated by mutual agreement of the Diocese of the Southern Philippines and the Diocese of Olympia.

Signed this 5th day of February in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand and Twelve.

The Rt. Rev. Gregory H. Rickel       The Rt. Rev. Danilo Bustamante

While I am careful about wading into our legislator’s business, I would say this is the church’s business too.  I have been asked by many about my feelings on it, and I have decided to share them.  The ideas are not new,  I have shared them openly in the walk-abouts before becoming your bishop and in many venues before and since.

Christianity has held, when considering relationships of all sorts, but especially in relation to two people in marriage, fidelity to be our value.   Fidelity is the value in most all our sacraments and also in our life as Christians.

It seems to me we have held our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters in a “catch-22″.  We say they cannot live up to our value because they cannot be married, or even blessed in their union.  While many of them have begged for this, it is still not possible.    What they ask of us, the church and the government, is to put boundaries around their relationship, to hold them in the same regard and with the same respect, which would also mean that we expect the same from them.  They are not asking for special treatment.  They are asking for equal treatment.   They are asking to be accountable, as a couple, in community.  To me, this is a conservative proposal.  I am for it, and I hope we will finally make way for this to happen, not only in our society, but also in our church.

Faithfully,

The Rt. Rev. Gregory H. Rickel

The Episcopal Church

Office of Public Affairs

Marking the second anniversary of Haiti earthquake:

message from Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop,

powerful video of Haiti, images, resources

[January 11, 2012] As the second anniversary of the devastating earthquake in Haiti is marked on January 12, Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori reflected, “We are all diminished by the reality of the situation in Haiti.”

The January 12, 2010 earthquake devastated the Caribbean island country. Leveled were churches and diocesan facilities, including Holy Trinity Cathedral in the capital city of Port-au-Prince. The Episcopal Diocese of Haiti is the largest in the Episcopal Church. 

Since that time, the Episcopal Church has undertaken a focused effort on rebuilding the cathedral complex.

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori issued a statement, and Bishop Jean Zaché Duracin of the Diocese of Haiti narrates a powerful video depicting the damage still evident in Port-Au-Prince as well as images of rebuilding.

Presiding Bishop’s statement

In a statement on the second anniversary, Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori said:

The people of Haiti have suffered enormously in the aftermath of the earthquake in 2010.  At the same time, their creativity, faith, hope, and joy continue to lead them into a more gracious future. Yet we are all diminished by the reality of the situation in Haiti.  Reconstruction has been painfully slow, funds promised by other nations have not yet been paid or paid in full, and many, many people still live in tents.

The Diocese of Haiti has been serving the people of Haiti with schools (with more than 250 of them back in operation a few short months after the earthquake), with medical facilities, and the beginnings of spiritual and cultural healing. The partnership of Episcopal Relief & Development has helped to provide shelter, clean water, and some employment. The Episcopal Church as a whole is partnering to help the Diocese of Haiti rebuild the cathedral complex in Port-au-Prince. Before the earthquake, that complex included not only the cathedral with its world famous murals (three have been conserved), but a music school and philharmonic orchestral, a vocational school, a convent, and diocesan offices. Partnerships have helped to provide necessary infrastructure for strategizing and planning the redevelopment work. 

The Episcopal Church as a whole has had its heart expanded in the support and partnership with our sisters and brothers in Haiti.  I encourage you to continue your prayers, your active partnership in fundraising, and the solidarity that comes from learning about the situation and caring about the future. We all begin to experience more abundant life in caring for our neighbors.  I give thanks for the treasure that is Haiti, and urge the faithful accompaniment of the whole Episcopal Church withHaiti! 

Video of Haiti

Bishop Jean Zaché Duracin of the Diocese of Haiti narrates a powerful video about the conditions inHaiti, images of rebuilding, and offers his thoughts and reflections on the second anniversary.  The striking video, featuring photographic images of the devastation, is located here:  http://www.episcopalchurch.org/page/multimedia

Resources

Among the prayerful resources marking the anniversary are Psalms for Haiti, an ecumenical celebration of music and meditation to commemorate those who died, and support those struggling to rebuild in the aftermath of the earthquake. Psalms for Haiti are located here: http://archive.episcopalchurch.org/HaitiAppeal/?p=381

More info

For more information on the effort to rebuild Haiti, check here:http://www.episcopalchurch.org/page/rebuild-our-church-haiti

On the web:

Marking the second anniversary of Haiti earthquake: message from Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop, powerful video of Haiti, images, resources

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/notice/marking-second-anniversary-haiti-earthquake-message-episcopal-church-presiding-bishop-powerfu

The Episcopal Church: www.episcopalchurc

h.org

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For more info contact:

Neva Rae Fox

Public Affairs Officer

The Episcopal Church

publicaffairs@episcopalchurch.org

212-716-6080  Mobile: 917-478-5659

La Iglesia Episcopal

Oficina de Asuntos Públicos

Note: This information in English is available here http://www.episcopalchurch.org/notice/marking-second-anniversary-haiti-earthquake-message-episcopal-church-presiding-bishop-powerfu   

El segundo aniversario del terremoto de Haití:

mensajes de la Obispa Presidente de la Iglesia Episcopal

y del obispo de Haití, videos, fotos, recursos

En el segundo aniversario del devastador terremoto en Haití, la Obispa Presidente de la Iglesia Episcopal,  Katharine Jefferts Schori, reflexionó, “Todos hemos perdido por la situación en Haití”.

El 12 de enero de 2010 un terremoto devastó el país caribeño. Cayeron iglesias e instalaciones de la diócesis, incluida la Catedral de la Santa Trinidad en la capital de Puerto Príncipe. La Diócesis Episcopal de Haití es la más grande en la Iglesia Episcopal.

Desde entonces, la Iglesia Episcopal ha emprendido un esfuerzo centrado en la reconstrucción del conjunto catedralicio.

Declaración de la Obispa Presidente

En una declaración en el segundo aniversario, la Obispa Presidente Jefferts Schori dijo:

El pueblo de Haití ha sufrido enormemente a raíz del terremoto de 2010. Al mismo tiempo, su creatividad, fe, esperanza y alegría siguen llevándolos a un futuro más amable. Sin embargo, todos hemos perdido por la realidad de la situación en Haití. La reconstrucción ha sido muy lenta, los fondos prometidos por otras naciones aún no han sido pagados o pagados en su totalidad, y muchas, muchas personas siguen viviendo en tiendas de campaña.

La Diócesis de Haití ha estado sirviendo al pueblo de Haití con escuelas (con más de 250 de ellas de nuevo en funcionamiento unos pocos meses después del terremoto), con instalaciones médicas, y el comienzo de la curación espiritual y cultural. La Agencia Episcopal de Ayuda y Desarrollo  ha ayudado a proporcionar refugio, agua potable, y empleo a algunos. La Iglesia Episcopal en su conjunto se ha asociado para ayudar a la Diócesis de Haití a reconstruir el complejo de la catedral de Puerto Príncipe. Antes del terremoto, que el complejo incluía  no sólo la catedral, con sus famosos murales (tres se han conservado), sino una escuela de música y orquesta filarmónica, una escuela de formación profesional, un convento, y las oficinas diocesanas. Las asociaciones han ayudado a proporcionar la infraestructura necesaria para la formulación de estrategias y planificación de los trabajos de reurbanización.

La Iglesia Episcopal en su conjunto ha extendido su corazón en el apoyo y la colaboración con nuestros hermanos y hermanas en Haití. Os animo a continuar con vuestras oraciones, su colaboración activa en la recaudación de fondos, y la solidaridad que surge al conocer la situación y preocuparse por el futuro. Todos comienzan a experimentar una vida más abundante cuando cuidamos de nuestros vecinos. ¡Doy gracias por el tesoro que es Haití, e insto al fiel acompañamiento de toda la Iglesia Episcopal a Haití!

Mensaje del obispo Duracin

El Obispo Jean Zaché Duracin de la Diócesis de Haití ofrece sus pensamientos y reflexiones en el segundo aniversario. Su mensaje en vídeo, junto con el sorprendente video y las imágenes fotográficas de la devastación, se encuentran aquí: SE NECESITA ENLACE

Recursos

Entre los recursos de oración con motivo del aniversario hay Salmos para Haití, una celebración ecuménica de  música y meditación para conmemorar a aquellos que murieron, y apoyar a aquellos que luchan por reconstruir tras el terremoto. Salmos para Haití se encuentran en:http://archive.episcopalchurch.org/HaitiAppeal/?p=381

Más información

Para más información sobre el esfuerzo de la reconstrucción de Haití, marque aquí:http://www.episcopalchurch.org/page/rebuild-our-church-haiti

La Iglesia Episcopal da la bienvenida a todos los que adoran a Jesucristo en 109 diócesis y tres áreas regionales en 16 países. La Iglesia Episcopal es una provincia miembro de la Comunión Anglicana mundial.

La Iglesia  Episcopal: www.episcopalchurch.org

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Parar más información contacte a:

Neva Rae Fox

 Oficial de Relaciones Públicas

publicaffairs@episcopalchurch.org

212-716-6080  Mobile: 917-478-5659

Merry Christmas,

+Greg

My Brush with Brutality & Love

By Rev. John Helmiere

 Yesterday evening, I was brutally beaten by my brothers on the Seattle Police force as I stood before an entrance to Pier 18 of the Seattle Port in my clergy garb bellowing, “Keep the Peace! Keep the Peace!”  An officer pulled me down from behind and threw me to the asphalt.  Between my cries of pain and shouts of “I’m a man of peace!” he pressed a knee to my spine and immobilized my arms behind my back, crushing me against the ground.  With the right side of my face pressed to the street, he repeatedly punched the left side of my face for long enough that I had time to pray that the crunching sounds I heard were not damaging my brain.  I was cuffed and pulled off the ground by a different officer who seemed genuinely appalled when he saw my face and clerical collar. He asked who I was and why I was here, to which I replied, “I’m a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ, I believe another world is possible.”  He led me shaking to a police van where began a 12-hour journey of incarcerated misery.

 How did this happen?

 The afternoon of Monday December 12 began with a march from downtown Seattle to the Port in a coordinated attempt by West Coast Occupy movements to expose exploitation of workers and interrupt business as usual at major Pacific ports.  Upon arrival, the crowd spread out to picket or blockade entrances.  I joined a small group of about 40 to picket a side entrance (we did not stop anyone from walking in or out).  Several hours later, word came that business had been canceled for the day and our group dispersed in high spirits.  My wife, Freddie, and I considered going home after a long, chilly day of standing up for what we believed in, but decided to see if there was an important need we might fill at other locations before departing.

As we neared a major entrance, Pier 18, the tension was almost palpable. Hundreds of people had been occupying the blockaded road for hours while police kept their distance.  But night was falling, mounted officers arrived on the scene, and the police began to maneuver into position and adopt menacing expressions.  Shortly before they pounced, I began to feel a great fear ballooning in my chest and seriously considered leaving.  I sensed that the police would be ruthless under the cover of darkness. This fear was particularly strong because although my Christian convictions call me to non-violence, I had only practiced this by intervening in street fights, and never in the face of a militarized force that believes they can act with legal and social impunity.  But in my spiritual core, the place where conscience prevails over fear and self-interest, I knew that I could not run away when the situation desperately called for disciplined non-violent voices and presence.

Utterly terrified, I made my way to the line between the occupiers and the police, held my arms out, and began shouting to my occupation brothers and sisters: “Peaceful Protest Everyone,” “Keep the Peace,” “Do not respond with violence.”  My brothers and sisters on the police force began advancing behind a wall of horses and heavy bicycles.  I linked arms with a young man in dark clothing on my left and a gnarled grandfather on my right.  We stood still until the officers approached us and began throwing their bikes into our bodies, shoving us toward the sidewalk.  I stared into the eyes of the most aggressive officer, who was seething, and shouted above the noise, “Why are you causing violence to peaceful people?  Think about your actions! Think about your humanity!”  With an open hand he rammed my throat.  The old man to my left was attacked similarly and reached back with a cocked fist, but I yanked him back.

A minute later, an officer threw me to the ground and punched me numerous times.  With hands cuffed behind my back, I was led into a police van and caged alone for a half hour.  In the dim light and cramped space, I sang “This Little Light of Mine” and recited Psalm 23 to stave off a gnawing fear.  Eventually, a few more occupiers joined me and we were transported to a holding facility where they split us into pairs and left us in tiny concrete rooms for several hours.   The rooms were voids in every way: windowless, empty (no facilities, no benches), lit with glaring fluorescent bulbs, gray and white.  My void-mate was a terrified kid who had gotten in over his head.  He gave me heart by singing protest songs while I shared some meditation techniques for maintaining self-possession in trying moments.  Eventually we were hauled off to the county jail and had our handcuffs removed after four long hours of immobility.  As I walked through the metal detector at the jail, a fellow occupier I hadn’t spoken with yet looked at me in my collar and said, “You’ve just been baptized.”   They outfitted us in thin cotton jail uniforms, and proceeded to move us from cell to freezing cold cell for the next eight hours without any clear purpose or explanation.  During that time, the adrenaline wore off and my bruises and lacerations began aching intensely.  I asked officers and staff at least six times to see a nurse and was consistently denied that, as well as water and food.  During the final hour a nurse took pity on me and found an ice pack for my face.   Not all the staff, it seemed, had contempt for their charges.  Finally, at 5:00am we were released to the street after obligating ourselves to appear before a judge at a future date.

Why was I there in the first place?

First, I participated in the port occupation at the behest of some of the most exploited and underpaid laborers in our city—the men and women who truck containers in and out of the port.  Over the past nine months, the spiritual community that I convene, Valley & Mountain, has stood in solidarity with these drayage workers in their struggle for dignity in the workplace.  We have listened to the truckers’ stories, held a focused study of the issues, attended a Port Commissioners meeting to demand justice from elected officials, and participated in a major rally in support of the workers’ simple requests for access to bathrooms, less toxic trucks, and basic workplace protections (to learn more about their plight, read their open letter in support of the port occupation).  I participated to stand alongside them.

Second, I participated because I have witnessed overwhelming evidence that the economic and political systems of my country stand against those people who the God I worship stands for.  My conception of God, inadequate as it may be, is better described as the Love that generates creativity and community, than as a super-man judging us from a heavenly skybox.  Such a God cannot be exclusively claimed by a political party, a religion, or even a movement like Occupy.   Such a Love contrasts with everything that reserves power, dignity, wealth, and the status of full humanity for some while depriving it from others.  My commitment to Love requires me to challenge the increasing consolidation of all these good things in the hands of a few, and to collaborate for the creation of something that Love would recognize as kin.

A call to transformation

Here is what I am asking of anyone who will hear it:

· Listen deeply.

• · Get upset.
• · Generate Love.

By listening deeply, I mean allowing the experiences of others to alter your own worldview.  It might mean allowing my story to challenge assumptions you may have about the reliability of police discipline or mainstream media impartiality (reports of the activity by the Seattle Times, for example, are significantly skewed thus far).  It may mean allowing the stories of exploited people, like the port truckers, to challenge your assumptions about the American narrative of equal opportunity.  Whatever it means, it will require humility and proactive encounters with those you tend to avoid.

By getting upset, I mean being appalled at the dehumanizing forces operating in our world—forces unveiled by deep listening.  Nothing changes just because you become aware that port truckers have to defecate in plastic bags because their unjust classification as “independent contractors” bars them from using the employee bathrooms.  Nothing changes just because you know that some cities have police cultures that encourage brutality, particularly against people of color.  We must have the tenderness of heart to become upset when human beings are violated and oppressed.

By generating love, I mean channeling that passion into creative and liberating action.  There are so many excuses to avoid it: “The issues are so complex,” “There are two sides to everything,” “I don’t want to alienate anyone and lose a chance at making an impact later.”  But as the great preacher/activist William Sloane Coffin once said, “Not taking sides is effectively to weigh in on the side of the stronger.”  As finite creatures, we cannot fight every worthy battle.  But refusing to participate in any struggle for a more loving world is a nihilistic rejection of even our very finite power.  Right now I am praying for the courage to transform the molecules of my anger and the raw material of my frustration into the greatest, most indestructible, most transformative power on earth: unconditional love in action.