“What canst thou say” about spirit-led efforts on behalf of Earth, about your own stirrings toward care for the planet, in relation to the vision and thoughtful action of Quaker Earthcare Witness as a whole? We’d like to hear from you. Send your letters to Katherine...
by Emily Wirzba, FCNL I OFTEN BECOME OVERWHELMED knowing that climate disruption is causing global temperatures to increase, sea levels to rise, and ecosystems to be irreversibly damaged. At times I become so frustrated at the seeming inability of the U.S. to take...
By Jim Kessler Notes of Gratitude On Synthetic Biology See You in Colorado This Summer Peaceful, Joyful, Random Thoughts During a Blizzard Catching Up with Barbara Williamson Inviting Your Support Quaker Institute for the Future Summer Seminar Blossoming and Building...
By Patricia Chernoff, QEW Representative to the UN At the beginning of each day’s meetings of Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals, several keynote speakers make an effort to educate the diplomats from various countries on the theme of the day. On the...
By Mary Gilbert, QEW Representative to the UN On February 5, 2014, the UN Open Working Group (OWG), assembled to form the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), finished taking stock of 37 vast and interconnected world topics such as water, agriculture, oceans,...
By Lynne Sootheran, Right Sharing of World Resources Greetings, Friends. My purpose here is to introduce members of Quaker Earthcare Witness and others interested in healing the Earth to Donor-Designated Projects available through Right Sharing of World...
By Maureen Lanan and Mary Gilbert As Friends deeply concerned about climate disruption and seeking ways to reduce the fossil fuel pollution spewing into the air, the Cambridge Quaker Earthcare Witness committee of Friends Meeting at Cambridge (FMC) was excited to...
Have you been thinking about doing an Earthcare project this spring but don’t know where to start? Take advantage of a funding opportunity QEW offers through QEW Mini-Grants. Put together a group of like-minded Friends and fill out our application, and your project...
Dear BeFriending Creation, Thank you so very much for publishing both of our articles in the latest edition (BFC, January-February 2014)…it was quite exciting to see us in print like that. We meant to include our Meeting affiliation—Mohawk Valley MM, New York...
Roy Taylor, QEW Clerk Are we doing a good job at doing what we say we are supposed to be doing? Years ago we developed a variety of ways to describe ourselves. The FCUN working group is now reviewing the words we use to see if they still have meaning for us, are they...
By Shelley Tanenbaum, QEW General Secretary What is in store for QEW in the coming year? As I begin my new job as your General Secretary, I’ve been thinking about new directions, areas that need shoring up and existing strong programs that we want to maintain and...
By Mary Gilbert, QEW Representative to the UN Years ago at a morning briefing for NGOs, a naïve newcomer asked, “Why don’t you just take the UN position?” Experienced people stared. The week before, the Secretary General had made a sensible statement and...
Do you have a great idea for an Earthcare project you want to do with your Monthly Meeting or other Friends group? Submit an application for a QEW Mini-Grant! We match funding up to $350 for projects that meet our application criteria. We welcome your project ideas...
submitted by QEW Readers “What canst thou say” about spirit-led efforts on behalf of Earth, about your own stirrings toward care for the planet, in relation to the vision and thoughtful action of Quaker Earthcare Witness as a whole? We’d like to hear from...
QEW Friends We like to begin each new year with an offering of Earth-friendly resources—in print, video, and web content—shared by QEW members and supporters. This year we have a good mix of inspiring and informative sources to recommend. Thanks to all who...
By Anne Mitchell In late October, Anne Mitchell travelled to participate in the World Council of Churches (WCC) 10th International Assembly in Busan, Republic of Korea. Here is a brief summary of her trip. You can read Anne’s full report, including recommendations...
By Lindsey Fielder Cook, QUNO Climate Change Representative In November, more than 8,000 people gathered in Warsaw to attend the UN Conference on Climate Change. The conference was known as COP 19, including the 19th Conference of Parties and the 9th Meeting of...
by Liseli Haines with Buffy Curtis I hadn’t used the inkle loom ever before. Now I threaded it with white and purple. White and purple are the colors of the quahog shells, the colors of the beads made by Native Americans, and the colors of the original wampum belt....
by Buffy Curtis with Liseli Haines In 1613, two sets of peoples made an agreement to travel down the “river of life, side by side, each in their own boats–as long as the sun rises in the East, the grass is green and the river flows downhill.” It was called...
September 29, 2013 Dear BeFriending Creation, Like most Quakers, I take stewardship of the environment seriously. I try to keep my carbon footprint small at home and in my workplace. I recycle, and I call my congressperson when there’s an important vote. Then I...