EarthLight shines again in this 'best' and new articles collection

EarthLight—Spiritual Wisdom for an Ecological Age

Edited by Cindy Spring and Anthony Manousos

Friends Bulletin, 2007. ISBN 0-9700410-2-0 $20.00 US

Although BFC's "sister" publication, EarthLight magazine, stopped publishing a couple of years ago, devoted readers cherish their back issues as sources of spiritual wisdom and encouragement in these often gloomy times.

Now, with the help of Friends Bulletin, EL's 15 years of "celebrating the living Earth and our 13-billion-year story of the universe" have been distilled into a 344-page book, along with many new articles in the same tradition of spirituality and ecology.

Articles by more than 40 leading thinkers and writers are grouped according to the seven EarthLight principles of "Conscious Evolution," "Sacred Relationship," "Collective Wisdom," "Mutual Learning," "Conscious Choice," "Inclusivity," and "Celebration."

In his inspiring introduction, "Spiritual Ecology: a Practice of the Heart," former EarthLight Editor K. Lauren de Boer writes, "More than just a theory, spiritual ecology describes a way of being in the world. It is ancient in the sense that peoples have lived it in many times and places. It is contemporary in that it integrates the discoveries of science and a new sense of our evolutionary story."

For more information please contact the Friends Bulletin editor at <friendsbulletin@aol.com> or go to <www.westernquaker.net>.

Ruah & Louis begin 1,400-mile `Peace for Earth' walk in November

Beginning November 1, 2007, we will begin a 1,400-mile "Peace for Earth Walk" from Vancouver, B.C, to San Diego, Calif. During this six-month sabbatical, we will talk with Friends Meetings and churches about how John Woolman's call to live in "right relationship" with all Creation is as relevant in the 21^st century as it was 250 years ago. Like Woolman, we will be traveling on foot and, as much as possible, staying with Friends along the way.

Although Woolman is best known for his witness against slavery and other social injustices, he also was increasingly concerned about the spiritual health of the Religious Society of Friends because many Friends had lost touch with their witness to Truth and were getting caught up in materialism, overwork, and insensitivity toward non-human creatures.

Similarly, we are seeking to deepen and strengthen 21st century Friends' work for peace, justice, and Earthcare by focusing on the unifying spiritual foundation of these concerns. We will show how reverence for life cannot be separated from maintaining the integrity and health of ecological systems.

This growing understanding has called us to make radical changes in our own lifestyles and to work for critical public policy changes. We hope that our words and actions during this journey will be a catalyst for others to take similar actions.

Woolman's prophetic message about simple living is relevant today because so many wars are based on unjust and unsustainable use of nonrenewable resources. We also see many social and ecological disruptions stemming from overconsumption and population pressures.

Our method will be to listen and to share with others what we have learned about living simply, justly, and richly in a world of limited resources. We will facilitate discussions and role-playing to discern what Woolman would advise today about living with greater simplicity and integrity, in order to experience greater peace, inwardly and outwardly.

We will leave copies of a study guide we have compiled to encourage Friends to continue learning from John Woolman's words and example. We are developing a website, <www.peaceforearth.org>, where Friends will be able to follow our plans and journey.

—Ruah Swennerfelt and Louis Cox

A resource from QEW!

Earthcare for Friends
A Study Guide for Individuals and Faith Communities

Edited by Louis Cox, Ingrid Fabianson, Sandra Moon Farley, and Ruah Swennerfelt

THIS 270-PAGE, 18-unit study guide is designed to help Friends understand:

• Specific ways that human activities have been despoiling the Earth, God's creation, and how this damage is intensified by today's materialistic culture.
• Different ways of living and thinking that can bring harmony among humans and between humans and the natural world.
• Why stewardship—living in ways that protect the health of the earth—is necessary for a vital relationship with God and with others.
• What the Bible, Christian tradition, and Quaker tradition teach about care for the Earth and its inhabitants.
• How Earthcare is a natural expression of the historic Quaker testimonies of peace, equality, justice, simplicity, and integrity.
• The remarkable convergence of modern science and faith traditions in understanding that all things are ultimately interconnected.

Earthcare for Friends provides practical adult education materials, including:

• Thought-provoking articles and practical steps that can be taken as individuals and faith communities.
• Helpful questions and queries for reflection and discussion.
• Sources of inspiration—songs, scripture, prayers, sample sermons, and responsive readings.
• Earthcare resources—books, websites, organizations, videos, etc.
• Activities to illustrate basic ecological issues and help us see where to focus our energies.

Available from the Quaker Earthcare Witness office, for $18.00 US plus $4.50 postage and handling. ($1.08 tax added for Vermont residents.)