“Climate change is a problem that can no longer be left to future generations.”
Source:  Pope Francis, speaking at the White House, September 23, 2015

Inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical on climate change, members of Boston area congregations and faith organizations are gathering on October 12th to share messages of hope, inspiration, and action for healing our world. Keynote speaker will be Father Bryan Hehir; other speakers include Rabbi Shoshana Meira Friedman and Rev. Fred Small.  The event kicks off an interfaith coalition to “answer the call” to act on climate change, and to ensure a clean and equitable energy future in Massachusetts. The coalition will be working to support the MA Power Forward statewide campaign to help move Massachusetts toward a clean, just, and inclusive energy future. For more information, please click here. To register for the event, please click here.

Originally conceived of as a small interfaith gathering by members of the Wellesley Village Church, UCC, the event has now grown to include 39 Boston area congregations and faith organizations that have signed on as sponsors and supporters.  “As a Jesuit priest and pastor of a Jesuit parish (St. Ignatius of Loyola, Chestnut Hill) how could I not answer the call from the first Jesuit Pope to care for our common home?” said Father VerEecke, Jesuit Artist-in-Residence at Boston College for the past 25 years. “I am profoundly moved to be part of this ecumenical event, inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Sí,” VerEecke said

Confirmed speakers to date, and their roles in the program:
• Father Bryan Hehir – keynote speaker – The Parker Gilbert Montgomery Professor of the Practice of Religion and Public Life at Harvard Kennedy School and the Secretary for Health
Care and Social Services in the Archdiocese of Boston
• Rabbi Joel Sisenwine – welcome – Senior Rabbi, Temple Beth Elohim, Wellesley
• Imam Ismail Fenni – opening prayer/invocation – Imam at the Islamic Society of Boston in Cambridge
• Rabbi Shoshana Meira Friedman – master of ceremonies – Assistant Rabbi for Engagement at Temple Sinai
• Father Robert VerEecke – “Creation” dance and remarks – Pastor, St. Ignatius of Loyola in Chestnut Hill; Jesuit Artist-in-Residence at Boston College; Director of Boston Liturgical
Ensemble
• Rev. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas – remarks – Episcopal priest and Missioner for Creation Care in the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts
• Mariama White-Hammond – remarks – Minister-in-Training, Bethel AME Church in Jamaica Plain
• Rev. Fred Small – remarks – Minister of First Parish in Cambridge (UU) and founder of the Creation Coalition
• Rabbi Rachel Saphire – remarks – Associate Rabbi at Temple Beth Elohim

DETAILS:

Welcoming Reception & Sign-in: 6:30pm

Program: 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Event co-chairs: Amy Benjamin, Temple Beth Elohim, and Lise Olney, Unitarian Universalists of Wellesley