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.

Are you tired? And I’m not just talking about fatigue in responding to this federal administration – although that is a part of it. I’m talking about sometimes losing your mojo and wanting to take a long, long rest. I find myself in that space pretty regularly and I suspect that most of us do. I have two takeaways from this. 

1. God (that’s my Abrahamic language – fill in your own) does not want us to be constantly overwhelmed. It is an important spiritual discipline to recognize our limits and work within them. And – and this is superimportant – God loves us just as we are, warts and all. 

2. God is always pushing us a little to go beyond our comfort zone – where can we more fully be the person that God calls us to be?

So I urge you to pay attention to both of these pieces but above all to not give up. There is a natural tendency to do a certain amount and then say, “well what did that really accomplish?” – and let that thing go. But I urge you to keep at it whatever “it” is. Maybe “it” is one of these events. 

Blessings,

Phil Petrie, ICEJ Chairperson

In silence – We resist greed and indifference.  We stand with the suffering.  We pray for earth repair.

As members of various faiths, we are called to stand together in silence for and solidarity with our Earth at this time of climate chaos and environmental devastation driven by human greed and indifference.  We call out and resist federal policies that have reversed the progress made in addressing climate disruption and the ruthless steps of the current administration to monetize Earth in our name.  

Join us at our next Vigil on Monday, Oct. 6 12-1 PM at the U.S. District Court building, 385 W. Broadway.  Vigils will be held monthly, same time and location, on the first Monday of the month.  Please wear black if you can–and if standing for 40 minutes will be difficult for you, feel free to bring a folding stool.  This event is open to persons of faith and no faith--do join us!!

For more information contact Phil Petrie at phil@icejsd.org

The next volunteer opportunity with our Hands in the Soil program is on Saturday, Oct. 18th from  9:00 - 11:00 AM when you are invited to lend a hand at FARM LAB, a 10-acre non-profit organic garden that grows produce supplied to local school districts. Farm Lab promotes sustainability awareness and provides climate change education to students locally while inspiring other like-minded school districts nationwide. Farm Lab, at 441 Quail Gardens Dr., Encinitas, CA 92024, is a nationally recognized Farm to School program!

Saturday volunteering typically includes bed prep, weeding, and hedgerow maintenance. Sometimes, there are harvesting or transplant needs.  Volunteers ages 14 yrs or older are welcome. All instructions and tools are provided. Many hands make light work! 

For more information or to RSVP, please contact Susan Cass   Email: susanpanniercass@gmail.com

We had a very successful Season of Creation with the September Vigil, the Sun Day picnic and this panel discussion at the Church of the Brethren. If you were not able to make the discussion, we did film it (and that was yours truly – so we are talking amateur video!!). 

• Did you know that Oct. 1–Oct. 8 is San Diego Climate Week – find more info here
  
  
• Our partner org, SanDiego350 is always busy with earth justice events – list here.
  
  
• Next No Kings March is Sat. Oct. 18  9-11 AM–more info here.  You need to be there!!!
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For a list of all ICEJ sponsored events visit our calendar of events here

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.