Description
Book SynopsisOur planet is in trouble, and it will take an amazingly large and powerful force to shift into a more sustainable way of living. Spiritual leader and environmental activist Andrea Cohen-Kiener tells us that people of faith have the numbers, the passion, and the mandate to do it-and that nothing else is strong enough to counterbalance "business as usual." In this urgent call to action, Cohen-Kiener gathers insights from ecology coalitions, emerging theologies, and spiritual and environmental activists to rally and inspire us to work across denominational lines in order to fulfill our sacred imperative to care for God's creation. Cohen-Kiener and contributors clearly outline the shared values of our faith traditions that drive our commitment to care for the earth. Acknowledging the challenges in working together to implement positive change, they present steps-both big and small, for individuals and groups-for reversing our direction from consumption to sustainability.
Trade ReviewRabbi Andrea Cohen-Kiener of West Hartford, CT is interviewed by Sister Rosemarie Greco, DW, Wisdom Correspondent for the Conference of Churches on WRCH radio, 100.5 FM. The program, "Rich Answers" is aired each Sunday from 5:30–6:30am. The Wisdom segment usually airs close to 6 am. The program has a listening audience of 60,000 people. Andrea's book, Claiming Earth as Common Ground, was discussed in this interview. Its focus is the ecological crisis through the lens of faith and it clearly outlines the shared values of our faith traditions that energize our commitments to care for the earth. The book is informative, inspirational and concludes with suggested action to be taken to support and improve the environment of the cosmos. Claiming Earth as Common Ground, ($16.99) is available through www.skylightpaths.com or programs@wisdomhouse.org. * At Wisdom's Table *
Table of ContentsForeword by Rev. Sally Bingham Introduction 1• The Making of an Environmental Activist: Waking Up to the Problem The Terrible Contradiction Too Good to Be True! The Spiritual Challenge of a Mountain of Garbage Agents for Transformation The Ultimate Common Ground 2• The Makings of a Movement: The Interfaith Imperative and Its Obstacles The Mountain of God Obstacles on the Path God of the Pews or God of the Cosmos? Leaving Base Camp The One about the Rabbi and the Evangelical Getting above the Tree Line 3• The New Wealth: Spirit Matters What Is Enough? Old Models for New Wealth A Living Vision Tools We Bring to the Table Transforming Business as Usual Imagine the Alternatives 4• Working Beyond Class and Race:Yes, We Do Need to Do This Together We Need to Talk Getting Beyond "Over There" Finding Common Cause Working Together The Great Light bulb Swap of '06 by Rev. Woody Bartlett Getting to the Table 5• How Big Is Your God? Theology Meets Earth-Care Activism Digging Deeper The Big Context by Rev. Tom Carr 6• The New Eden: Reclaiming the Garden Seeds of Possibility Wheat Sheaves and Matza Tales by Elisheva Rogosa Communion Agriculture by Andrea Ferich 7• The New Sabbath: Less Is More Unnamed Hungers Green Sabbath by Rev. Donna Schaper, PhD Creating New Sabbath Rituals 8• Eco-Conversion: A New Paradigm for a New Earth Seeing with Green Eyes Conversion to Eco-Justice by Rev. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas, PhD The Power of Witnessing Going Forward Appendix I Many Small Steps Appendix II Creating a Sustainable Civilization: Joanna Macy’s Theoretical Foundations Appendix III Thoughts for Discussion and Action: Format for an Eight-week Study Session Appendix IV Interfaith Ecological Resources Acknowledgments About the Contributors
