Joint Ecological Ministry (JEM) is a collaboration of religious communities and partners using their resources to promote caring for Creation. Since our formation in 2014, JEM has sought to bring together leaders, treasurers, and JPIC representatives of religious communities to reflect on how we can use our resources to reduce our carbon footprint and address climate change. We have explored divestment from fossil fuels, investment in green alternatives, shareholder engagement, Laudato Si, and the Paris climate talks. Each gathering has further enriched the conversation between communities on how we can make a difference.
History was made at the United Nations on July 7 with the passing of the “Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty.” For its efforts in bringing about this historical achievement, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) won the 2017 Nobel peace Prize. ICAN is a coalition of non-governmental organizations in one hundred countries. The National Catholic Reporter featured quotes from several women religious in their article on the subject, including one by Sr. Stacy Hanrahan, CND NGO representative at the United Nations. Stacy said the fact that a nongovernmental organization won the award was both an acknowledgement of the strength of grassroots efforts and a tribute to those “who have been working on it [the nuclear issue] for years.” You can read the full article here: https://www.ncronline.org/news/world/organization-working-abolish-nuclear-weapons-awarded-nobel-peace-prize
Associate Jackie Greenfield and the Grange Liturgical Community in Redding, CT are collecting Christmas gifts to send to Appalachia for the many homeless families and battered women with children who live at the shelter in Norton, VA and for the children who receive food from the food pantry. They would greatly appreciate donations of (new) gifts of infant onesies, diapers and wipes, basic toiletries such as soap, shampoo (no conditioner), deodorant, warm socks, etc., and, if possible Pack 'n' Plays. Pack 'n' Plays are foldable crib/playpens for new moms who have nothing for their babies, and when they are able to leave the shelter, they can take the Pack 'n' Play with them. Babies are safe in them for up to a year, so they are a true godsend. If you wish to do this, please contact Jackie Greenfield at jkgree1@optonline.net, by November 30.