Climate Care/UCC Environmental Ministries: We care about and for, educate and support a healthy environment for all.
UCC Environmental Justice Ministries here.
In 2017, The Congregational Church of Topsfield, applied and won an array with Revolusun! Installed on the south facing hip of the Emerson Center's Fellowship Hall, the array will help the church offset 10% of its power consumption.
Recommended Reading: CLIMATE CHURCH, CLIMATE WORLD
How People of Faith Must Work For Change
by Rev. Jim Antal (Contact the church office for a free copy.)
After discussing the book "Climate Church, Climate World" by Jim Antal, an ecumenical group created yard signs to remind people of the climate change crisis and urge action.
Other local efforts:
In early 2022, the Select Board of the Town of Topsfield created an adjunct Committee to the Select Board called the Topsfield Sustainability Advisory Committee. The Charter of the Committee is the following:
The mission of the Topsfield Sustainability Advisory Committee (the “Committee” or “SAC”) is to identify and promote environmental sustainability initiatives in Topsfield by supporting planning
and investments to reduce the Town’s carbon footprint, promote waste diversion and renewable energy, preserve and protect our ecosystems, and perform education and outreach to raise
awareness for a greener Topsfield.
The Committee shall advise and support the Town Administrator and the Select Board in the creation and implementation of sustainability initiatives and may include working with and
coordinating with other Committees, local businesses, nonprofit organizations, residents, as well as Town offices, schools and departments as an agency of the Select Board when appropriate.
For a more global approach to understanding and action, check out the Climate Reality Project here.
The Ipswich River Watershed Association (IRWA)
In our own backyard, the IRWA works to protect the river's natural environment and clean water for people, plants, fish and wildlife through efforts to monitor, restore, educate and advocate for its survival.
GREAT SPIRIT PRAYER
by Big Thunder, Algonquin, late 19th century
Great Spirit
Give us hearts to understand
That to destroy earth's music is to create confusion;
That to wreck her appearance is to blind us to beauty;
That as we care for her she will care for us.
We have forgotten who we are.
We have sought only our own security.
We have exploited simply for our own ends.
We have distorted our knowledge.
We have abused our power.
Great Spirit, whose dry lands thirst,
Help us to find the way to refresh your lands.
Great Spirit, whose waters are choked with debris and pollution,
Help us to find the way to cleanse your waters.
Great Spirit, whose beautiful earth grows ugly with misuse,
Help us to find the way to restore beauty to your handiwork.
Great Spirit, whose creatures are being destroyed,
Help us to find a way to replenish them.
Great Spirit, whose gifts to us are being lost in selfishness and corruption,
Help us find the way to restore our humanity.
Oh, Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the wind,
Whose breath gives life to the world,
Hear me.
I need your strength and wisdom.
May I walk in beauty.
This flag is an Abenaki Nation flag, one of the 5 Algonquin tribes in northeast US.