Interfaith Effort Addresses Global Warming

Leaders from all faiths are joining forces to mobilize a religious response to global warming.
Oregon Interfaith Power and Light, a project of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, will participate in Interfaith Power & Light's "Spotlight on Global Warming." This inter-religious, nationwide screening of educational films about global warming — featuring Paramount's "An Inconvenient Truth" and HBO's "Too Hot Not to Handle" — includes more than 175 Oregon congregations in at least 35 cities and towns.
"Global warming is a threat to God's creation and a threat to all people across the globe, particularly the poor," said Jenny Holmes, environmental ministry director for Ecumenical Ministries. "Our goal is to educate and engage our congregants to take personal and collective action to reduce global warming emissions."
"Spotlight on Global Warming" screenings are taking place in large cities and small towns, across the country.
"People of all religious and political beliefs share a common concern over the risk global warming poses to our planet," said Sally Bingham, founder of Interfaith Power & Light, a nondenominational, nonpartisan ministry that helps congregations of all faiths to reduce global warming emissions.
Participating congregations will provide educational materials to those attending and feedback on the event to Interfaith Power & Light.
Many congregations have hosted workshops on "Energy Stewardship," "Save Your Congregation Energy and Money" or "Green Building and Renovations for Congregations" throughout Oregon, including The Dalles, Cedar Hills, Ontario, Eugene, Medford, Pendleton, Portland, Salem and Roseburg.
Some of the churches participating in the event are listed below. Check www.emoregon.org for more locations.
Portland:
• Augustana Lutheran Church, 2710 N.E. 14th Ave., 6 p.m. Oct. 8;
• Bridgeport United Church of Christ, 621 N.E. 76th Ave., 7 p.m. Oct. 5;
• Cherry Park United Methodist Church, 1736 S.E. 106th Ave. 12:30 p.m. Oct. 8;
• First Presbyterian Church, 1200 S.W. Alder St., 5 p.m. Oct. 22;
• First Unitarian Church, 1011 S.W. 12th Ave., 7 p.m. Oct. 5;
• St. Clare Church, in the Parish Hall, corner of Southwest 19th Avenue and Spring Garden Road, 7 p.m. Oct. 10
• St. Ignatius Catholic Parish, showing at Loyola Jesuit Center, 3220 S.E. 43rd Ave., 2 p.m. Oct. 8;
• St. Mark Presbyterian Church, 9750 S.W. Terwilliger Blvd., 4 p.m. Oct. 8;
• St. Philip the Deacon Episcopal Church, 120 N.E. Knott St., 7 p.m. Oct. 13;
• Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1624 N.E. Hancock St., 4:30 p.m. Nov. 1.
Beaverton area:
• Cedar Hills United Church of Christ, 5150 S.W. Watson St., 5 p.m. Oct. 15;
•Southminster Presbyterian Church, corner of Southwest Denny Road and Hall Boulevard, 7 p.m. Oct. 6
Gresham:
• Eastrose Fellowship Unitarian Universalist, 1133 N.E. 181st Ave., noon Oct. 8;
Tigard
• Tigard United Methodist Church, 9845 S.W. Walnut Place, 7 p.m. Oct. 8;
Vancouver:
• Michael Servetus Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 4505 E. 18th St., 7 p.m. Oct. 5.