A Mass Movement of Faith

by Rev. Alan Jenkins, Oakhurst Presbyterian ChurchOn Sunday, February 17, much to my mother’s chagrin, I played hooky from church. Accomplices included Presbyterians Jon Houghton (Druid Hills PC) and Edward Amos (Central PC). Mom knows I’ve skipped worship in the past, but what was different? Well, I was going to Washington, D.C. for, yet again, another protest march.My dear mom is a faithful Episcopalian, and with GIPL’s support, she’s even helped lower her congregation’s energy consumption. But when the subject matter regards social protest and activism, the more contained, orderly side of her faith formation cries out. She’d prefer a more dignified, respectable way of addressing political affairs, like dressing up in a nice suit and meeting in a senator’s office (That route of advocacy is essential, too. In fact, I once had the distinguished opportunity to visit Senators Isaakson and Chambliss with GIPL’s very own Woody Bartlett!). But this time, Sunday, February 17, 2013, was different.What was hoped to be the largest mass action on climate change in U.S. history turned out to be all that and more. Leaders of this growing movement, including First Nation Canadians, came from across the continent, leading over 30,000 marchers to the White House. The day’s freezing, windy weather only energized chants rising from the streets, packed side walk to side walk: “Leave the Oil in Soil!” and “Hey, Hey! Ho, Ho! Keystone Pipeline’s got to GO!”  At issue was, and still is, the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline. Construction prep is already underway from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. If completed, it will daily funnel 830,000 barrels of tar sands crude oil over 1,700 miles to Texas refineries. This carbon intensive and watershed-damaging extraction process in Alberta will accelerate destabilization of Earth’s climate. Yet, approval lies in the hands of the Obama administration, whose slated to make a decision by this Spring. To the President, we directed our message. (see more at 350.org).While I didn’t make it to church that Sunday, I do believe I participated in a collective act of faith to protect Creation. As Chief Jacqueline Thomas, former chief of the Saik’uz First Nation in British Columbia professed, “We don’t have the billions of dollars that industry has, but we do have our faith that people will do the right thing to protect Mother Earth.” I pray that my dear Mom understands, because I will continue practicing this faith with my feet as this growing movement rises to match the crisis before us.