By Director of Religious Exploration Diana Tycer and Social Justice Coordinator Andrew Batcher
April is Earth Month, and this April there are several ways individuals and families can engage in environmental justice. Activities include good music, delicious food and baby animals to pet (more information below).
In UUCF’s Religious Exploration classes, the children and youth learn about the values comprising our Eight Principles. Particularly resonant is the Seventh Principle: Unitarian Universalists affirm and promote the interconnected web of life of which we are a part. Whether you speak to young children in third grade or teens in high school, you will repeatedly hear them voice concern about the environment and how human behavior harms other creatures of the earth. They recognize climate change is already impacting their lives and will continue to affect their hopes and dreams for the future. While climate change can seem overwhelming, all of us can become better stewards of the planet by being more mindful of our daily choices, including the choices we make about food.
While dietary choice is a deeply personal matter that should be free of judgment and shame, it is part of our work as an ethical community to ask ourselves how to best align our eating choices with our values. According to a study cited by The Guardian, the global production of food is responsible for a third of all planet-heating gases emitted by human activity, with the use of animals for meat causing twice the pollution of producing plant-based foods. It is important to remember that many factors influence one’s eating choices: allergies, medical needs, family culture, access to food, cost of food and personal freedom. One factor to consider is how the food we consume is brought to market, and what role we each play supporting the food industry. UUCF’s mission statement is to transform ourselves, our community and the world through acts of love and justice. This mission calls on us to reflect on everything we do and challenges each of us to be open to change.
In that spirit, UUCF has planned some fun and interesting activities for Earth Month. Knowing we all have something to learn, without judgment or guilt, let us sit with the question of how we might be able to better align our food choices with our values.
Things to do in April
On Thu., Apr. 6, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., the RE program and Act for Climate Today! (ACT!) are co-sponsoring a trip to Rosie’s Farm Sanctuary (register here). Rosie’s provides a haven for cows, sheep, pigs, goats and chickens rescued from farming operations. All are welcome to tour the farm, meet the animals and learn about the sanctuary’s mission. Feeding and cuddling some baby animals may be possible! Rosie’s is also the April Share the Plate recipient.
(Update Mar. 28, 2023 – Due to unforeseen circumstances, this concert has been canceled.) On Earth Day, Sat., Apr. 22, 3-4 p.m., in the UUCF Sanctuary, the youth choirs of UUCF and All Souls Unitarian will perform a concert, supported by the climate action groups from both congregations. While on campus, the children and youth will engage in nature-oriented activities and enjoy vegan snacks provided by ACT! This is another opportunity to explore how small changes can make a difference in the world. Stay tuned for the link to purchase concert tickets.
During worship on Sun., Apr. 23, the Heeding the Call RE class will present information on food choice and climate change during Time for All Ages. They have chosen this topic as their Take Action project to help congregants eat more mindfully. After the service, they will share vegan treats and recipes.
Climate change weighs on our children and youth, which makes sense. It is their future we most impact by our actions today. As new life bursts forth from the earth this spring, let’s reflect on our role as stewards of our blue boat home and open ourselves to growth and change.
Leave a Reply