We are shifting things up a bit. Look for special conversations rather than a scheduled cafe for this next season.

More updates and follow up articles will also be posted to the Just Creation. You can still find the archives on Faiths4Future, see archived News and Reports.

Previous - Articles & Video

June 2023

When your neighbor says no: green colonialism and Indigenous consent In Goldendale, Washington, the Yakama Nation raised a clear ‘no’ when the land they use for first-food gathering, life practice, and ceremony was sited for construction of a hydroelectric pumped-storage energy project. Journalist B. Toastie Oaster joined us for an in-depth discussion.

June 20th - Visions of Guatemala—People, Ceremony, and Cloud Forests share a conversation about tapirs, cloud forests and volcanic lakes—this is the world of story that Jorge Rodriguez brings to life as a Guatemalan-based photo-journalist and environmentalist. Rodriguez writes in both Spanish and English and now travels internationally to share stories of inspiration, restoration, and indigenous wisdom. Follow up upcoming.

May 2023

Sacred Sanctuary: The Fight to Save Oak Flat. Sarah Augustine will lead our conversation as we talk about Oak Flat, in the Tonto National Forest, and the efforts of the San Carlos Apache and other tribal leaders to stop a proposed open pit copper mine.

For Faith Communities: IRA Environmental Justice and Funding. A conversation following the Power Up! Climate Reality Leadership Training. The training included information about funding support for clean energy and justice projects in faith communities, including funding for solar or renewable projects, and wider partnerships.

April 2023

Courtyard & Sanctuary: Urban Ecology and Community Stewardship. Tiffany Jones joined us to talk about how to bring nature, wildlife and good stewardship to houses of worship—church yards, temple courtyards, and more. She currently works with faith communities as Habitat and Education Coordinator for National Wildlife Federation and the Sacred Grounds project.

Fostering Friendships for People and Climate: Ramadan and Right Intention. Dr. Nayan shares her expertise as an educator, administrator, volunteer, and CEO. She offers an overview of the Islam and Ramadan, and the work of Chicago Muslims Green Team. Recently, she founded the Jariyah Foundation, and she invites us to hope together in the effort to build legacies with a positive and ongoing impact in local and global communities. 

March 2023

Africa’s Youth Raise a Global Voice to Shape a Just Future.  A conversation with Global Shaper and Climate Justice Advocate Pato Kelesitse, as she shared her vision and passion about sustainable and just development in Africa, including the empowerment of women and the importance of developing just economic systems. 

Part Two of our Conversation with NOAA. Part Two with NOAA: Resilience, toolkits, and Conversations. Part One went so well (link to Part One)! Part one covers the science and adaptation strategies of sea level rise. Part Two covers strategies to lead and engage better conversations about rising seas to further resilience efforts. David Herring is Chief of the Communication, Education, and Engagement Division within NOAA's Climate Program Office.

February 2023

Part One with NOAA: Sea Level Rise & Coastal Congregations. Part One of our conversation with David Herring,  Chief of the Communication, Education, and Engagement Division within NOAA's Climate Program Office. In Part Two we talked about toolkits and how to have fruitful conversations centering resilience. Find Part Two here.

Oceans: Science, Eco-theology, and the End Times. Our conversation was led by Byron Walker, currently a seminarian at Princeton Theological School.

January 2023

Our January 2023 Kick off Cafe went so well! Thank you to Rachel Lea Scott, Faith Outreach Coordinator of the Climate Reality Project and Forest Campaigner Victoria Wingell for updates. Read the follow up celebrating the 2023 forest victory, Organizing to Protect Forests: carbon sequestration and old growth in America’s Western Forests

November 2022

Loss and Damage: A necessary & moral response. Our focus will be on the effects of the climate crisis in the global south, specifically on the catastrophic flooding in Pakistan, and the growing diplomatic and moral call for ‘loss and damage’ funding.

Nonviolent Direct Action: Why youth are walking out and organizing. Young people are organizing, speaking out and taking direct action to a demand a livable future and flourishing planet. Young organizers William H. Morris and Victoria Wingell help answer ‘why.’

Nivek Anderson-Brown of Leaf and Bean Farm shares about homesteading, local farms, supporting local farmers, and leaning into a sustainable, abundant life. Homesteading: reconnecting with local, abundant life.

Community Resistance: a tale of two pipelines. a conversation with Jessica Sims, Virginia Field Coordinator for Appalachian Voices, as we dig in to the community action surrounding the Mountain Valley and Atlantic Coast Pipelines.

October 2022

Pushed to Poverty: Women, Girls, and the Climate Crisis. Environmental degradation and climate chaos is negatively impacting family life. Especially alarming is the erosion of women's and girls' rights, which leads to rising child marriage rates and human trafficking. Leading this conversation we welcome international human rights attorney Nesha Abiraj.

Making Spaces for Climate Action. A conversation with Robert Shields, organizer and founder for ARK in Alaska, engages us to take action in reimagining of the local and global city, including renewable power and sovereign foodsystems, rooted in the local community, including faith communities.

A Special Event! - a special ‘meet the authors’ event with Wake Up World small group curriculum authors Rev. Bob and Anita Dygert-Gearheart. Learn more, Wake Up, Take Heart: A Creation Care Study for the Local Church

September 2022

Science and Spirituality; Making Meaning of Climate Change with Buddhist Eco-Chaplain and En-ROADS Ambassador Ram Appalaraju, a conversation about moral obligation and right action and tools for education and advocacy.

Water Crisis: Climate Change and the Water Cycle. Dr. Olivia Miller, Water and Climate scientist with the USGS joins us for a conversation about water and climate change.

The State of the Planet: Science, Scenarios, COP27. Climate Scientist Jamie Trammell returns to walk us through where the planet and the climate science stands today, both now and with scenarios moving forward—including some hope!

In August and September we offered two services of prayer and storytelling: Prayers and Stories for the Planet and Creation designed to replenish and uplift! Listen to the stories here.

August 2022

How to start a Climate Cafe in your church, faith community, local community, town, denomination, or organization. Joining us for this conversation is Jess Pepper, founder of the Climate Cafe Network! Learn more.

July 2022

Green Teams: Connecting with Youth and Community, with William H. Morris, Faith Organizer currently working with GreenFaith on the #PeopleVsFossilFuels Campaign.

Christian Climate Action: Compassion & Community- we talk with Melanie Nazareth of Christian Climate Action, a faith group connected with Extinction Rebellion out of the UK.

Economics, Inequality, & Planetary Limits. A Dialogue. A deep conversation led by economic, agriculture and development specialist, and Bahá’í Dr. Gary Reusche.

June 2022

Whole soul, whole heart, whole food: reclaiming our health for body and planet, a discussion covering Food Justice and Policy in the US, what faith communities can do, with Kelly Moltzen, co-founder and convener of the Interfaith Public Health Network.

A Book Launch! The Cross in the Midst of Creation: A Conversation with Rev. Sharon Delgado. In celebrate the publication of her latest book.

In 2021, the UCC became the first denomination to affirm the Rights of Nature. We spoke with the lead author for that resolution, Rev. Bob Shore-Goss, about kin, spirituality, and the rights of nature “We made the Earth a member of our Congregation.”

May 2022

Mobilizing Methodists: a Movement for Creation Justice Grows in the UMC, with movement leaders Rev. Pat Watkins and Cathy Velasquez Eberhart.

Climate Justice in West Virginia—“the prettiest place in the world,” a conversation with Rev. Robin Blakeman of West Virginia Interfaith Power and Light and Allen Johnson, Christians For the Mountains.

Spiritual Replenishment: Renewal and Burnout in Social Movements. A conversation with Rev. Jonathan Wade, pastor of the Macedonia Baptist Church in Baltimore, MD.

March 2022

Passover/Pesach, a Good, Sweet Revolution with Rabbi Nilton Bonder.

Naked Truths and Public Advocacy: Climate Crisis and the UCC with Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt.

Banned Books, Faith & Climate Change with Rev. Tura Foster Gillespie.

February 2022

Doctrine of Discovery, a Conversation with Mark Charles, author of Unsettling Truths: The Ongoing, Dehumanizing Legacy of the Doctrine of Discovery.

Faith & Hurricanes: Plan. Prepare. Pray. Share. with Barbara Hassell, Kathy Broyard, Tricia Warren and Tricia Hall, Disaster preparedness and response specialists within the United Methodist Church and Presbyterian Church US in Florida.

Eco-Grief and Acts of Beauty with Rev. Alison Cornish and Trebbe Johnson.

January 2022

Global Food Systems and Moral Action - A Call to Act. A presentation and conversation with Andrew Schwartz, Director of Sustainability and Global Affairs at the Center for Earth Ethics.

November 2021

Church in the Wild. A conversation with Rev. Corey Turnpenny, Pastor of a Wild Church in Upstate New York.

COP26 - Faith and Moral Witness. A conversation with William H. Morris and Frank Granshaw, faith attendees at COP26 in Glasgow.

Faith and Legislation, Finding Hope. A conversation with Lavona Grow, Peter Sergienko, and Terrence Ellen.

COP26 & Climate Cafe, Virtual and More Events. 

October 2021

Faith & COP26 - a Briefing from Glasgow. Guest Adrian Shaw, EcoCongregations and Interfaith Scotland.

Beyond Curriculum - Books to Celebrate Diversity and the Natural World. Guest Rev. Tura Foster Gillespie, TeachingCulturalCompassion.org

Minding Our Business - Faith Communities and Sustainable Enterprise. Guest Andrew Ellis, Climate Reality Business Working Group, Los Angeles Chapter.

September 2021

A Movement - From a Pipeline to Justice in Memphis. Guest Justin J. Pearson, MCAP (Memphis Community Against the Pipeline)

Climate Migration. Contributor Rev. Dr. William Schnell. Pastor (retired) Disciples of Christ. Social Justice Advocate.

“What do you want to sustain?” - The IPCC Report and Scenarios for Climate Change. Guest E. Jamie Trammell, Chair of Environmental Science at SOU.

August 2021

Prophetic Witness of Place. Guest Rev. Michael Anthony Howard, Minister of Faith in Action for the Livingwater Fellowship in Northeast Ohio.

Witness and Wildfire. Contributor Rev. Richenda Fairhurst, Steward of Creation, Circle Faith Future. Leadership Team Faiths4Future.

Sea Level Rise, Place and People: Kiribati. Guest Dr. Michael Roman, Filmmaker, Activist, Educator.

July 2021

Heatwaves, Cooling Shelters, and Social Infrastructure. Contributor Rev. Richenda Fairhurst, Steward of Creation, Circle Faith Future. Leadership Team Faiths4Future.

“You won’t even hear me.” Youth, Faith, and Climate Change. Contributor William H. Morris, YECA Organizer and Advisory Board Member. Leadership Team Faiths4Future.

June 2021

Line 3 Voices - A conversation about the Enbridge Line 3 Pipeline. Contributor Rev. Richenda Fairhurst, Steward of Creation, Circle Faith Future. Leadership Team Faiths4Future.