Interfaith Coalition for Earth Justice (ICEJ) is a volunteer organization of San Diego faith leaders and communities that advocate for climate and environmental justice both in policy and in the public square. We believe that the values held in common by all faith traditions include the care for creation and care for the most vulnerable in society.

The summer solstice is a time to celebrate nature's abundance, the power of the sun, and the cyclical nature that sustains all life on Earth. Different cultures and people of various faiths worldwide have been celebrating this celestial event for millennia.  The word “solstice” comes from the Latin words “sun” and “to stand still.”  At solstice, we pause for reflection, gratitude, and a deeper connection to nature.  Our drumming builds community and echoes the rhythms of the waves–everything is connected!

Join us on Friday, June 20 at 6:30 PM at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas for this magical experience on the longest day of the year.  On the beach, just walk south of the lifeguard station. There is a large FREE parking lot and facilities.  Bring your drum, your spirit, and something to sit on. All levels welcome — let's welcome the summer sun together! 

Free will offerings accepted to benefit the work of ICEJ  - the Interfaith Coalition for Earth Justice.                 

Questions?  Contact Susan Cass at susanpanniercass@gmail.com.

Hands in the Soil is an ICEJ initiative that pairs volunteers with monthly opportunities at various local not-for-profits, providing a chance to get a bit dirty for environmental justice.  Our June opportunity is once again with Project New Village.  We will meet up at the Mt. Hope Community Garden, 4269 Market St. on Saturday, June 21  9-11 AM.  Project New Village is a good-food, grassroots movement that is resident-led and committed to building stronger neighborhoods, improving the neighborhood food supply chain, and stimulating collective investment in better health.

Join with like-minded neighbors for a morning of gardening activities and meaningful, light-duty work–help create health and build equity in communities that need it most!  If you have questions or are available to volunteer, please contact Susan Cass at SusanPannierCass@gmail.com.

If you attended the Caring for the Earth panel discussion that we co-sponsored with the host – Islamic Center of San Diego – we want to thank you and hope that you found it inspiring.  If you could not make it and are interested, we have a video recording–click on the link above.  Imam Taha Hassane of the Center and Yusef Miller organized the event (and both are also ICEJ Working Group members) and were joined as panelists by Dr. Wael El-Delaimy of UCSD.  Paul Vachal of SD350 took our video.  ICEJ sees our religious traditions as enormous assets in addressing the environmental crisis and that is exactly what this event was about.

Last October. ICEJ was part of a coalition of organizations that held an Eco Fair and Town Hall in SE San Diego and the issue that our attendees chose to work further on was environmental racism and greening communities of concern.  Now the Urban Collaborative Project (UCP) and partners (see full list below) are putting on a series of events to develop an Urban Greening Plan (UGP).  The upcoming Urban Greening Community Open House will distribute up to three trees to individual residents of SE San Diego AND help identify new green spaces and co-design community-led maintenance plans.  The Open House will be held on Sat. June 14 at 10 AM-2 PM at Groundwork SD Earth Lab - Millennial Tech Middle School (1110 Carolina Ln, San Diego, CA 92102).  Note: both UCP and Groundwork San Diego Chollas Creek were our partners for the Eco Fair.  More on the Plan is below.

The Urban Greening Plan will identify and map priority areas for tree planting, green spaces, and community-led maintenance to provide clean air, environmental cooling, and walkable neighborhoods. This plan is shaped by community voices and prioritizes equity, inclusion, and cultural diversity.  The UGP Taskforce includes the Urban Collaborative Project (UCP), San Diego Urban Sustainability Coalition (another Eco Fair partner), Mundo Gardens, Urban Corps, and Tree San Diego.

• Sat. June 14th at 10 AM - 1 PM  NO KINGS March and Nation-wide Day of Defiance.
•  Sat. June 21st at 1:30-3:30 PM  Climate Legislation Training –SD350’s annual legislative training will help YOU develop skills in communicating with elected officials and build knowledge about key climate bills progressing through in the California state legislature.  OPEN to all.

Donate to support Interfaith Coalition for Earth Justice and the work we are doing to educate, equip and mobilize our communities of faith to advocate for earth justice.