Don’t forget our meeting time!
Second TUESDAY of the month at 10 am at the IKE Box Community room.
Note: we will be visiting Seeds of Faith Ministries, a community resilience hub, on June 9th. Meet at 1230 Winter St NE at 10 am.
EFN Monthly Meeting
Author Archives: susanleasmith.oregon
Mom of two amazing young adults; climate & water justice advocate; sustainability "guru"; law professor at Willamette teaching water, climate, energy, environmental and natural resources courses. I love bringing clean water to underserved communities, hiking, backpacking, kayaking, golf, visiting old friends and new places; writing about things I care about. I am committed to putting the world on a climate trajectory that protects all of Creation.
Together Things Happen
We came together as faith groups to see if we could do more collectively than individually — and we found out we could! It has been inspiring to sit with people of other faiths and hear their creation stories and realize that their stories were so like our own. It has been eye-opening, to say the least.
The last couple of months have been busy talking with senators and representatives, encouraging them to support the environment. Spending time with people who are as passionate about change as us has given us such a strong sense of purpose and resolve.
The problems the world is facing in climate change and in climate resilience are larger than any one group can handle on their own and we are suffering from terminal hubris if we think we can, but together we can make an impact.
If you are interested in joining us on our adventure, contact peachsloan918@gmail.com. Together we can make a difference that will impact generations.
New Year: New Challenges
The Environmental Faith Network brings people of varied faiths together and unites them in addressing the environmental changes happening in Salem and the planet. Working together in problem-solving and environmental education, they bring environmental awareness and change to their various faith networks.
Our emphasis is on supporting climate legislation, while promoting a sustainable lifestyle through waste reduction, recycling and care of the planet. Fundamental to all faiths is the need to care for creation.
Realizing that our population knows the issues of climate change, our goal is to energize them and to put their knowledge into actions. And we ask you to join with us on this journey. Everyone makes a difference! And so much good is happening, now is the time for hope and action.
Join us at The Ike Box on the second Tuesday of the month at 10 to participate in a spirited discussion with like-minded people.
Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice
JOIN US!
The World Council of Churches has proclaimed the Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice (2025-2034). It is a bold invitation from the World Council of Churches and ecumenical partners worldwide to undertake a pilgrimage of repentance, renewal, and action to confront the climate emergency with courage, hope, and love.
Link to WCC brochure:
Our Vision for 2034
By the close of this Decade, we envision:
• Churches Leading by Example: Eco-sanctuaries,
climate-centred worship, and pensions invested in life
• Policy Breakthroughs: Ecocide recognized as a crime, fossil fuel phase-out underway, climate finance, justice, and reparations advanced
• Resilient Communities: Indigenous, youth, women,
and frontline communities shaping solutions
• An Economy of Life: Alternatives to extractive
capitalism, rooted in equity, justice, and sustainability
How We Will Journey
The Decade will move forward through six concrete pathways:
1. Transform Theology and Worship – eco-theologies,
creation liturgies, and spiritual disciplines.
2. Promote Holistic Analysis – connecting climate with
justice, economics, race, and gender
3. Equip Faith Communities – toolkits, trainings, and
climate chaplains
4. Mobilize Collective Action – pilgrimages, days of
action, and global campaigns
5. Advocate for Systemic Change – prophetic witness in
courts, policies, and public spaces
6. Invest in Grassroots Solutions – funding local
adaptation, biodiversity protection, and renewable energy
Who Is Involved
This is a whole-church, whole-world journey:
- WCC member churches and global ecumenical partners
leading locally and globally. - Regional and national ecumenical bodies, contextualizing action.
- Denominations and seminaries shaping theology and
discipleship. - Interfaith partners joining in shared action.
- Youth, women, Indigenous peoples, migrants, and
emerging leaders at the heart of vision and leadership in WCC
member churches leading locally and globally
Join us!
Environmental Faith in the legislature
People of faith choose church walls rather than exciting paths.
One of the most exhilarating activities of EFN this spring has been lobbying and testifying in the Oregon legislature in support of bills to protect and improve our environment. Sometimes we wonder how we got here and sometimes we think why didn’t we get here sooner.
We didn’t know we had the power to create a movement or at least a nudge. Our faith requires us to be in the world, healing the world. And that’s what we’re doing.
Email us at peachsloan918@ gmail.com if you want to have the excitement of putting your faith and your care about Creation into action!
Summer Heatwave Climate Film Festival
JOIN US IN SALEM ON JULY 12TH
Season of Creation Guide
On June 5, World Environment Day, the Season of Creation 2024 Celebration Guide was officially launched. The Laudato Si movement organized an ecumenical service of reflection and prayer held in preparation for the Season of Creation, which takes place from September 1st (the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation and The beginning of Eastern Orthodox liturgical year) to October 4th (the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi). The theme is “To hope and act with Creation”. DOWNLOAD THE GUIDE BELOW!
Global faith campaign for climate justice launched by World Council of Churches
Commission on Climate Justice and Sustainable Development
The World Council of Churches created the Commission on Climate Justice and Sustainable Development (CCJSD) to address the climate crisis and promote efforts to achieve the UN’s sustainable development goals. The WCC is an ecumenical fellowship of 352 churches from more than 120 countries, representing over 580 million Christians worldwide. WCC members include most of the world’s Orthodox churches, scores of Anglican, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist and Reformed churches, and many United and Independent churches.
The Commission serves as a platform for faith-rooted and evidence-based actions responding to the impacts and roots of the intertwined ecological and economic emergencies. The commission mobilizes member churches to take urgent, effective, and holistic actions to respond to the climate emergency and broader economic and ecological crises in collaboration with other like-minded actors. The commission calls attention to gaps and challenges in addressing issues of ecological and economic injustice — and proposes concerted, effective, and timely action by member churches and ecumenical partners in their communities, countries, and
internationally.
The Commission operates through several working groups: Climate Justice; Economy of Life; Creation and Biodiversity Justice; Land, Water and Food Justice; and Ecumenical Diakonia and the Sustainable Development Goals. Each working group has commenced its work and is guided by an annual action plan. The Land, Water, and Food Justice working group, e.g., will be convening a global consultation on 29 May in Geneva to address critical interlinkages between land, water, and food security through a rights-based approach. To register, click https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcvdu2spjwoHtdyAQPdMuV6lco5hBNoBClm#/registration. For more information, visit https://oikoumene.org/events/wcc-consultation-on-interconnected-challenges-of-land-water-and-food
Join the global movement towards a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty
This is an effort that we must prioritize: stop exploration for new fossil fuel peojects. We cannot use the fossil fuels we already have, much less need new supplies.
Join the global movement calling on governments of all levels to phase out fossil fuels, starting now.
The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty calls on nation states to tackle the threat of fossil fuel expansion the same way they once came together to address the threat of nuclear warfare. The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty has already been endorsed by hundreds of organizations collectively representing tens of millions of people, and is gaining traction within the halls of the United Nations. The Treaty is aiming to end the exploration for new fossil fuels, phase out existing production in line with a 1.5ºC scenario, and implement a just transition for every worker, community and country.
Add your name to these efforts and stay ready for opportunities to take action moving forward!
Click the following links if you’d like to learn more about the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.
OCERA launches statewide campaign to protect our right to a healthy environment and a stable climate through an amendment to the Oregon Constitution
The Oregon Coalition for an Environmental Rights Amendment (OCERA) launched a statewide campaign at the Climate Vigil held at the Capitol Mall on May 4, 2024. OCERA seeks to amend the Oregon constitution to recognize and protect our right to a healthy environment and a stable climate. OCERA is a coalition of faith, social justice, climate, environmental. and other groups from around the state. Organizations participating in the launch included: Climate Vigil; Consolidated Oregon Indivisible Network; EcoFaith Recovery; Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon; Electrify Oregon; GreenFaith Wy’East; Lift Every Voice Oregon; Oregon Interfaith Power and Light; Our Children’s Trust; and The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Synod of the Pacific.
To learn more or volunteer, please sign up at ClimateVigil.org.
Speakers included Rev. Cyndi Wunder, First Presbyterian Church, Baker City; Kevin Simmons, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde member; Rev. Mark Knutson, Augustana Lutheran, Lift Every Voice Oregon, Portland; Domyo Burk, Green Faith Wy’East and Bright Way Zen Center, Beaverton; Sara McNaughton, Climate Action Alliance, Willamette University student; Miko Vergun, Juliana et al. v. U.S. plaintiff and Oregon State University student; Peter and Rachel Fargo, Climate Vigil, Baker City; and Rabbi Michael Cahana, Congregation Beth Israel, Portland
Here’s the OCERA plan:
- 2024, we build out the coalition and raise awareness and funds and begin lobbying legislators and legislative candidates. We may also begin the process of a citizen-initiated ballot measure.
- 2025, we focus on lobbying legislators for a legislative-referred ballot measure. If it works, we pivot toward the “yes” campaign (for 2026 elections). If not, we work to finish out the petition drive through our statewide coalition of inspired volunteers, businesses, and supporting organizations.
- 2026, we get the job done and get ready for elections! When it passes, we celebrate and rest in the assurance that we accomplished a monumental feat, together, for all Oregonians and future generations.