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Spotlight on the field - September, 2003
MI COEJL and MI Interfaith Climate & Energy Campaign join forces in
"What Should the Governor Drive" Press Conference
| MI-COEJL and the Michigan Interfaith Climate and Energy Campaign held a press conference on the State Capitol steps, Monday, Sept. 15. The audience listened as state and national religious leaders asked, "What Should the Governor Drive?" |
| Several state religious leaders made comments, including Rabbi Michael Zimmerman of Congregation Kehillat Israel. At this event, MI COEJL and the Interfaith Campaign released a religious leaders' letter to the Governor, asking her to purchase fuel-efficient vehicles for the state fleet and detailing the financial and pollution savings that might be realized by taking such a step.
Rabbi Zimmerman, Congregation Kehillat Israel, Lansing, speaking at the press conference. Behind him left to right are Rev. Dr. Kent Ulery, Conference Minister, Michigan Conference of the United Churches of Christ, Doug Grace, National Director, Interfaith Climate and Energy Campaign, and Rev. Charles Morris, Director, Michigan Interfaith Power and Light.
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| This action will also be taking place in 10 other states around the country; but Michigan was the first state to announce this new focus of the religious community's efforts to address the problem of global warming. |
| The event was a culmination of the statewide conference for the religious community entitled, "Global Warming and God's People II: Revisiting Our Call to Protect Creation." It is the first in the ICEC series of state conferences. Michigan's featured state and national campaign and scientific updates, a variety of workshops, and a moving interfaith panel of religious leaders on each faith's "prophetic tradition, and the need for prophets (people to speak out) now." The conference opened Sunday evening with a moving prayer thanking God for fire (candles), water, earth, and air. For the opening and closing, Sara Bernstein of MI-COEJL led a prayer in Hebrew, repeated by participants in English. It was an opportunity to celebrate the unity of all faiths in the things that truly matter. Participants in the conference carpooled over to the State House to gather on the steps of the Capitol for the press conference. |
The media was well-represented including several TV cameras from NBC and FOX news affiliates, Michigan public radio, and an Associated Press reporter. Five speakers across the religious spectrum all emphasized the need to cut greenhouse gas pollution, and the religious imperative to care for creation by making the state transportation fleet more fuel-efficient.
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| The speakers included Kim Winchell of the Michigan Interfaith Climate and Energy Campaign, Kent Ulery of the Michigan Conference of the United Churches of Christ, Rev. Charles Morris, the Director of MI Interfaith Power and Light, Rabbi Michael Zimmerman, and Doug Grace, National Director of Interfaith Climate & Energy Campaigns. The ICEC statewide conference then returned to its location at the St. Francis Retreat Center, conducted related training sessions in working with media, doing advocacy on this issue, and how to share the message in congregations. |
| It concluded in a very basic, yet meaningful way as participants joined hands in a circle outside, around a large pine tree, had a moment of silence, then went around the circle, all giving thanks for what they had experienced together... unity, community, ruach ... |
The conference closed with a prayer circle around a tree on the grounds of the conference center (St. Francis Retreat Center). |
More on the Michigan Interfaith Climate Change Network's event, including the letter to the governor, the ICEC press release, and the full recommendation report.
Also here is information on Oregon's sister event! |
Press coverage: Detroit Free Press, "Group plans "What Should the Governor Drive?" campaign"
AP, "'What Should the Governor Drive?' campaign kicks off"
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