First Parish Church Windows On... the Environment

Winter is here and it’s time for our “Windows On” education series. Please join us for these interesting programs. They will provide opportunities to hear highly informed and committed environmental problem solvers, and to discuss the concerns most important to each of us about the future of our planet earth.

Programs will begin on Sunday, February 19, with a talk by Paul Kando, a leading environmentalist and co-founder of the Mid-Coast Green Collaborative. The National Environmental Hall of Fame has honored Paul for his research and his presentations on the findings of climate science. His will give an overview of global energy issues and climate change and lead our discussion.

On Sunday, February 26, Judy Kahrl, will discuss the interrelationship of population and environmental stewardship. Judy is an emeritus member of the board of Pathfinder International which works to improve the reproductive health of adolescents, women and men throughout the developing world. She also is committed to local and international conservation. She has just returned from Tanzania where Pathfinder and the Nature Conservancy are collaborating on a project in the Mahale Mountain ecosystem.

On Sunday, March 4, at 3:00, Haydn’s “Creation” will be sung by the First Parish choir in the sanctuary.

On Sunday, March 11, The Reverend Jim Deming, Environmental Justice Minister for the United Church of Christ, based in Cleveland, Ohio, will be our speaker. His talk will be “Caring for God’s Creation: the Role of Faith Communities”. Reverend Deming is a presenter with The Climate Project and has worked with the National Wildlife Federation and Interfaith Power and Light.

On Sunday, March 18, the movie, “Renewal” will be shown at 4:30. “Renewal” presents a variety of faith communities, not exclusively Christian, responding to environmental issues and solving problems. Following the movie, we will have a soup and bread supper and discussion.

On March 25, a panel of environmentalists from our congregation will present issues facing Maine. Panelists will be Pete Didisheim, Senior Director of Advocacy for the Natural Resources Council of Maine, Tim Glidden, President of the Maine Coast Heritage Trust and Jennifer Burns Gray, Staff Attorney and Advocate for the Maine Audubon Society. As they discuss these issues and solutions, they will offer suggestions as to how we all can help. Moderator for this panel will be Becky Halbrook.

The Earth Care team will provide a list of recommended books on the environment and put together a small library, including a few children’s books. These may be signed out for home reading. We hope you will take advantage of this library in the parlor of Pilgrim House.

The Parish Read chosen for this series is “World On The Edge” by Lester Brown. Copies are now for sale in the vestry after church or you may contact Penny Schroeder at 729-4413. You may join the Inquiring Minds group for discussion of this book on Monday evening, February 27. If needed, we will have other discussion groups. Programs are open to all and will be held in Fellowship Hall on the second floor of Pilgrim House, 9 Cleaveland Street in Brunswick. All except the movie and the concert will be offered after church at 11:30 with childcare provided. Please call the church office at 729-7331 to make your reservation for supper on the movie night. For other programs, we thank the Hospitality Committee for providing refreshments.

If you have questions, please contact a member of the Planning Committee: Betsy Eaton, Becky Halbrook, Judy Kahrl, Elaine Kurtz, Pastor Geoff Parker, Penny Schroeder, and Mary Lee Ward.