In his encyclical, Laudato Si’, Pope Francis calls to all of us when he says “Now, faced as we are with global environmental deterioration, I wish to address every person living on this planet....In this Encyclical, I would like to enter into dialogue with all people about our common home.” (LS #3)
 
Peruvian Bishop Luis Barrera Pacheco of Callao, responds to the Pope’s exhortation by speaking publicly about the oil spill that fouled one hundred miles of shoreline north of Lima in January, poisoning habitat and destroying livelihoods.
 
Bishop Barrera asks for immediate response by government and private industry even as the Church, through its social justice ministry, Caritas, works to support people whose lives are affected now and for years to come by this tragedy.
 
Bishop Barrera insists that the interconnectedness between people and the environment be recognized.  He boldly calls for those responsible for the oil and those charged with protecting the country and its citizens to act swiftly to clean up and rebuild from the damage and loss to habitat, livelihoods and health.
 
"We need leadership from politicians so disasters like this are not repeated," Bishop Barrera wrote. "We call on public officials to take an integral approach to environmental issues and to be concerned about the interrelated ecological, social, cultural and economic dimensions of creation."
 
Through his statement, Bishop Barrera is fulfilling what Pope Francis calls us to in Laudato Si’. He publicly stands up for the rights of the poor and the rights of the earth, challenging the powers of industry and government.
 
How am I called to respond to the “cry of the earth and the cry of the poor”? (LS #49)  Bishop Barrera inspires me to keep my eyes open and be attentive to equity in local projects around redevelopment, building, water management, and housing, and then, to talk about what I see.
 
The full article can be found under Earthbeat on www.NCRonline.org : “Peru bishop warns of harm to environment, livelihoods from oil spill,” by Barbara Fraser, Catholic News Service

In Laudato Si’, Pope Francis cautions “Isolated individuals can…end up prey to an unethical consumerism, bereft of social or ecological awareness.” (LS #219) He also reminds us that everything  is interconnected. (LS #70)
 
Do I participate in Fast Fashion? Low prices and easy availability are tempting, and even if clothes are only worn briefly, I can donate to others by popping them into one of the convenient clothing collection bins, so where is the harm in indulging in trendy, cheap new looks?
 
Considering the Pope’s words however, I slow my finger hovering over the “purchase” key and wonder: How are the clothes made so cheaply? Who sews them? What really happens to those clothes in the bins?

Fast Fashion is described as a never-ending chain of fast actions – fashion trends come and go constantly, production is fast, a decision to buy is fast (“only 3 remaining”, “one-click purchase”); delivery is fast; and clothing is worn and quickly discarded. 

Looking into Fast Fashion is eye opening.  It is well known that clothing workers are among the lowest paid, most disregarded people in the world, and outsourcing to long chains of contractors and subcontractors makes accountability a challenge. The documentary by Andrew Morgan, “The True Cost” explores just that in chilling concrete images and testimony.
Since it is not important for Fast Fashion to last, cheap synthetic fabrics are used. These are a major source of the micro plastics now found everywhere from the Mariana Trench to Mount Everest. Hundreds of thousands of fibers come off the clothes in each washing and are swept away eventually to the sea. Cleaning up the environment is not a solution since garments are churned out at overproduction rates. 
​
As for donations, in November 2021, an image of a mountain of discarded clothing in a Chilean desert went viral.  Chile and Ghana are well known dumping grounds of Fast Fashion. Last year, a mountain of cast-off clothing outside the Ghanaian capital city of Accra generated so much methane that it exploded.
​
What have I learned?  Before I make a purchase, I will try to slow down and find out what cost society and the environment pay for the item and I will try to remember our interconnectedness.
What will you do?

On the Second Sunday in Ordinary time, we are treated to one of Jesus’ most festive miracles, changing water into an abundance of wine!  Contemplating the scene at the wedding in Cana, I wondered about wine in relation to Caring for Creation.

I found out that there is dynamic US and global interest and action around sustainability in the wine industry. For instance, the United Nations Climate Action page features a story about the California vineyard, Fetzer.
Fetzer Vineyards is credited as a leader in sustainable practices by growing 100% organically in their Mendocino vineyards since the 1980s, becoming the first Zero Waste certified wine company in the world, and the first winery in California to operate on 100% renewable energy. Fetzer has also been certified as a carbon neutral operation and is a Certified B Corp. (https://unfccc.int/climate-action/momentum-for-change/climate-neutral-now/net-positive-wine)

The California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance is an organization that supports growers in environmental stewardship and social responsibility. The Alliance sponsors green leadership awards, and provides a guide to the many certified vineyards. (https://californiasustainablewine.com/find)
Here in Virginia, wineries are also attentive to land stewardship and environmental responsiveness. Just two examples are Sunset Hills Vineyards and DuCard Vineyards; they both use the same sun that ripens the grapes to power their buildings. DuCard was recognized as the “Greenest Winery in Virginia” by SAVOR Virginia magazine.

Internationally, Porto Protocol Foundation is a non-profit originating in the wine industry with hundreds of members committed to being catalysts for climate action “by bringing together a network of change makers and workable climate solutions for and within the wine world.” (https://www.portoprotocol.com/about-us/)

​Alex Katz is an innovator who started Protector Cellars (https://www.protectorcellars.com/); he looks at every aspect of the industry and production process, asking “how can I do better from a carbon impact standpoint without negatively impacting the quality of the wine?”
The complex issue of sustainability in the wine industry is center stage worldwide as growers are taking their environmental impact seriously. They know that the future of their vines, vintages, people and industry depend on learning to respect and care for the gifts of creation.
Before I buy my next bottle, I think I’ll look a bit more closely into vineyard practices. Cheers!

​It’s January 9, already! Even though we’re nine days into 2022, Christ’s Baptism feels like the real new start for me. With that in mind, and remembering Pope Francis’ exhortation to respond to the “cry of the earth and the cry of the poor,” I’m wondering how I can use my position as a consumer this year to support communities and care for the earth both when I make purchases.
We can celebrate the growing number of companies who focus on ethical behavior and sustainably sourced and fairly traded products, and we can easily access them at local markets and through the Worldwide Web, we may just need to look for them.
Here are a few ideas to consider before purchasing:

​Ethical or Fair Trade represents an employment or trade relationship based on the treatment of workers, artisans and farmers, providing fair wages, safer working conditions and consideration to the community and environment.
 

Companies that bear the Certified B Corp. logo are businesses that balance purpose and profit. They are required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment. Cabot Cheese, Ben and Jerry’s, Tillamook, and Bombas are a few B Corporations.

BETTER WORLD SHOPPER is a public research project dedicated to making social and environmental data available to consumers who wish to utilize their dollars as votes in order to help build a better world. Companies and brands are rated on five key categories:  human rights, the environment, animal protection, community involvement and social justice. Use the online tool to search ratings for products and companies; you might be surprised at some of the grades. https://betterworldshopper.org
Local shops that prioritize the environment include MOM’s Organic Market, local farmers’ markets (the one in Falls Church operates year round), and Trace, the zero waste store in Vienna.

Please watch this space for upcoming monthly events – either in person or via ZOOM. Future topics include gardening and water.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT SOLAR?
HOW DOES IT WORK?
ECONOMICS OF PV SOLAR?
WHAT IS THE POTENTIAL FOR PV SOLAR IN THE US AND VIRGINIA?

​Please join us as we discuss these and your questions
 
THE CARE FOR CREATION COMMITTEE PRESENTS 
 
A SOLAR EVENING
 
THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022
7:30 P.M.
via ZOOM
Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85844697356?pwd=R2lYYVZ3NGErcjFRdTJ3SzIvQW14UT09

Use the link above or contact johnjimison@gmail.com to receive a link by email.
 
We are fortunate to have an expert in renewable energy in our parish, Jim Schretter has been part of the Care for Creation group from the beginning and he will lead the presentation and discussion. Jim has 20 years experience in renewable energy. As VP Development for EDF Renewables, he was officer in charge of $1 billion of currently operating renewable projects. He has founded or co-founded several renewable energy companies and as president of Beacon Energy LLC is currently developing 300 MW of PV solar energy and 150 MW of battery storage with a South Korean panel manufacturer with operations in the US. He has an MBA from the University of Virginia and a BSME from MIT.

One week until we celebrate Christmas!

Are we ready? Are we still preparing ourselves and our gifts for all those we care about?

I’m recalling some of the stories and traditions that surround the feast of the Nativity, such as the gift of the Little Drummer Boy and O. Henry’s classic tale, The Gift of the Magi. These show us true gifts of love.  And I wonder, what gifts of love can I offer that show my gratitude for God’s continual gift of loving us through creation?

The Saint Luke family generously responds to our neighbors who may be struggling through the Giving Tree project, and local food pantries and in many other ways at this time of year, but I wonder what I can do that specifically represents my Advent focus of caring for creation.

Thinking about this, I realize how God’s creation provides all we need to sustain ourselves in the world, giving us the means for food, water, shelter, clothing, rest, beauty, and inspiration.  But we know there are some who struggle to gain access to these necessary gifts, such as clean water, adequate shelter, and the ability to feed one’s family.

As we continue to strive to be good stewards of creation and to see God in creation and in one another, perhaps we might add a few last minute gifts that reach out to those who, through no fault of their own, are deprived of these original and necessary gifts of creation.

During this final Advent week, if you are still wishing to show your love of neighbor and appreciation for creation, why not consider helping with some of these basic needs?

There are many charities that deal with specifics such as water (charity: water; Water with Blessings), self-sufficiency (Heifer International; Fair Trade Cooperatives; SERRV, Upavim), and shelter (Habitat for Humanity) as well as our well-known local SOME and SHARE.

Good luck with your last minute gifting! and may we all find the love and peace of the Holy Infant in ourselves, in one another and in our world.  

If the simple fact of being human moves people 
to care for the environment of which they are  a 
part, Christians in their turn  realize that their 
responsibility within creation, and their duty to-
wards nature and the Creator, are an essential 
part of their faith –Pope John Paul II, Laudato Si’ #64

​SIMPLE ADVENT
When this is printed it will already be the third Sunday of Advent. Here’s an idea for spending the final two weeks of Advent caring for creation.

SLOW DOWN -- BE PRESENT -- SEEK THE SIMPLE ABUNDANT LIFE
What do these practices have to do with Advent? Or with Care for Creation?

I think we can all agree that the weeks of Advent, between Thanksgiving and Christmas can be some of the busiest and most stressful.  I know my response to self-imposed pressure to “get it all done” can result in snap decisions and choices just to ‘check something off’ and move on down the list. This attitude can result in behaviors that dishonor people and the earth and can lead to selfishness, waste, pollution, and disregard for sustainability.  When I fall into this mindset, I’m putting society’s cultural demands above living mindfully in the world. However, there is a different choice…
 
Do one thing slowly today – watch the sunrise with your morning coffee (instead of the news/traffic/weather), take a walk listening for birds (instead of plugged into the phone), don’t multitask, don’t rush, be in the moment and see how you feel.
 
The Simple Advent practice offered by NCR’s Earthbeat is a guide to this approach. It suggests simple practical ways that show the connections between spiritual preparation and caring for our common home.  Sign up to receive a short reflection and action suggestion via email.  
 
Search:  Simple Advent Revisited
Or, go to:
https://mailchi.mp/ncronline.org/earthbeat-reflections-advent
 
As we anticipate celebrating the mystery of God becoming one like us, how better to prepare than to pay attention to those I encounter each day, whether a tree, a bee or a neighbor; how better than to care for the earth, where God chose to join us and live in and among God’s own creation.  
What is your one thing?