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We take care of those things which we appreciate. Often poetry helps us to see and appreciate much of what we take for granted ... movement, community, dirt: "Ode to Dirt" (Sharon Olds)
Dear dirt, I am sorry I slighted you,
I thought that you were only the background
for the leading characters--the plants
and animals and human animals.
It's as if I had loved only the stars
and not the sky which gave them space
in which to shine. Subtle, various,
sensitive, you are the skin of our terrain,
you're our democracy. When I understood
I had never honored you as a living
equal, I was ashamed of myself,
as if I had not recognized
a character who looked so different from me,
but now I can see us all, made of the
same basic materials-
cousins of that first exploding from nothing-
in our intricate equation together. O dirt,
help us find ways to serve your life,
you who have brought us forth and fed us,
and who at the end will take us in
and rotate with us, and wobble, and orbit.
Dear dirt, I am sorry I slighted you,
I thought that you were only the background
for the leading characters--the plants
and animals and human animals.
It's as if I had loved only the stars
and not the sky which gave them space
in which to shine. Subtle, various,
sensitive, you are the skin of our terrain,
you're our democracy. When I understood
I had never honored you as a living
equal, I was ashamed of myself,
as if I had not recognized
a character who looked so different from me,
but now I can see us all, made of the
same basic materials-
cousins of that first exploding from nothing-
in our intricate equation together. O dirt,
help us find ways to serve your life,
you who have brought us forth and fed us,
and who at the end will take us in
and rotate with us, and wobble, and orbit.
Postcard writing for Get Out the Vote
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Lobbying in Richmond
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Postcard writing to encourage to VOTE in important primary.
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Partner Organizations
Care for creation team 2025 plan
Inspired by the Catholic Climate Covenant’s enthusiastic adoption of the 2025 Jubilee Year theme, “Pilgrims of Hope”, we decided to carry that theme through the year in our work on behalf of the planet. Climate change has begun to create cataclysmic events in all parts of the world and its effects on the poor and marginalized are particularly devastating. Caring for Creation is a scriptural mandate and critical social justice issue that calls for the time, focus and attention of all in Nova. Action areas we have chosen for this year include:
Education:
-- Continue weekly tips and information in the written announcements. Broaden to include links to articles, books, and videos that deepen understanding of the issue.
-- Ask Community to read one climate book/year with follow-up discussion. Lobbying for climate bills in Richmond.
-- Ask Community to watch 2 environmentally oriented films and follow with Zoom discussion.
-- Encourage participation in the ECA VA Climate Course as well as other lectures, webinars, etc.
Advocacy:
-- Teach all willing community members to use the Climate Action Now app that uses texts and email to advocate for legislative and educational issues.
-- Direct community members to send emails, phone calls, letters, etc. on behalf of legislative and educational initiatives.
-- Offer financial and other support to environmental organizations particularly: Elders Climate Action, Catholic Climate Covenant, Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions and Friends Committee on National Legislation.
Liturgies and Prayer:
-- Integrate environmental concerns in our liturgical and prayer life, particularly around Earth Day and the Season of Creation.
-- Offer a weekly prayer for the environment during Prayers of the Faithful.
-- Make a “pilgrimage” together to a place of natural beauty.
Personal Changes:
-- Continue encouraging the adoption of a largely plant-based diet, reducing food waste and composting. Send out a vegetarian “Recipe of the Month” every few weeks.
-- Reduce usage of all plastics in all forms.
-- As needed and possible, Electrify Everything! Cars, appliances, A/C, hot water heater, etc.
-- Encourage carpooling, public transportation, walking whenever possible.
Team Members: Gloria Mog, Coordinator; Judy Christofferson, Markie Harwood, Joe Keyes, Carolyn Miller, David Mog, Kathy Scheimer.
Resources:
Organizations:
Videos/Movies:
