It's not what some folks think!

Quaker Earthcare Witness is not a distant, elite "committee" of people doing work on behalf of others. QEW is about helping you and your faith community in your work to restore the earth.

On one level, we are all "members" of the community of life on this planet.

On another level, we are "members" of a growing spiritual ecology movement when we become aware of that fundamental kinship and are led to act on that awareness, though changes in our lifestyles, witnessing through our faith community, and seeking to bring all human activities into harmony with the greater life community.

In particular, Quaker Earthcare Witness members believe that the values, traditions, and practices of the Quaker faith can make a unique and powerful contribution to this network of spirit-led programs, just as it has provided guidance and energy to historic struggles for peace and social justice.

As a QEW member, you can

• Support Quaker Earthcare Witness educational efforts (publications, visitations, workshops, etc.) that seek to awaken the Religious Society of Friends to the global ecological crisis as a spiritual issue.
• Help Friends to explore and articulate the ways in which the Quaker faith can speak to the global ecological crisis.
• Contribute to Quaker Earthcare Witness special programs (Quaker Eco-Witness for National Legislation and the Ann Kriebel/San Luis project in Costa Rica) that seek to demonstrate how spiritual ecology can work in the world.
• Serve on Quaker Earthcare Witness committees.
• Work in your own Meeting through First Day School, adult education programs, and unity with nature committees to raise awareness and involve other Friends in local ecological issues from a faith perspective.
• Participate in your own Quarterly and Yearly Meeting programs and committees to witness corporately for an Earth restored.
• Offer spiritual grounding and process to other community environmental action programs.
• Share news of what you and your Meeting have been doing through reports and articles in BeFriending Creation.

There is no minimum cost for membership in Quaker Earthcare Witness (however we do suggest a $35 or more annual contribution for those who are able). QEW is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization, and all contributions are fully tax-deductible. Membership does not convey particular rights and privileges. However, by making this connection and commitment, you help broaden and strengthen this witness for the Earth within in the Religious Society and Friends. You also take advantage of resources offered by QEW that can enhance what you are doing locally and in your own life.

Quaker Earthcare Witness members/supporters are not all alike. Coming from a wide spectrum of Quaker traditions, we reflect the same diversity of interests and viewpoints that is found within the Religious Society of Friends today. For example, those who are seeking ways to deepen their spiritual connection with nature are emphasizing the contemplative side of the Quaker faith. Others who are working to change the ecologically destructive course that the world is on are emphasizing the activist side of the Quaker faith. In our diversity, we can all important contributions to the total effort. In other words, we need each other!

What specifically can a
Quaker Earthcare Witness member do?

• Support Quaker Earthcare Witness work with your energy, ideas, and contributions. Sign up for membership now.
• Receive BeFriending Creation, the bimonthly newsletter. See current BFC
• Order other Quaker Earthcare Witness publications—Find out why the global environmental crisis is also a spiritual issue. See article on spiritual ecology
• Get organized locally—Start a Unity with Nature or similar committee in your Meeting. See article on starting a local group
• Give programs in your Meeting about Friends' emerging Earthcare witness.
• Use Earthcare materials in your First Day School. See the Quaker Earthcare Witness publications catalog

We invite you to join us!

To send us an e-mail now: info@QuakerEarthcare.org.

To send us regular mail:
Quaker Earthcare Witness
173-B N. Prospect St.
Burlington, VT 05401-1607

Our telephone is: 802/658-0308.
Our FAX number is: 413/714-7011

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