United and Called to Action for Our Common Home

Last week at a community gathering co-hosted by GIPL and Sierra Club, business leaders, environmentalists, scientists, and people of all faiths came together, inspired and energized for action by Pope Francis's historic encyclical.The event was held on the lawn of St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Decatur. St. Timothy's is the proud new owner of a roof full of solar panels.The panels, installed earlier this year by Hannah Solar, LLC, cost the parish virtually nothing because of a federal program. As a result, the church has been able to expand its mission and further support the surrounding community. It's a change that has been good for them and good for the earth, says Rev. Daniel Dice.“Any energy that can be produced with a negative carbon footprint helps,” Dice said.  “If the problem seems like an ocean too big to combat, just think of that the ocean simply as a collection of drops. With this drop, St. Timothy’s strives to be a part of the change.”It was no coincidence that the panels were the backdrop for Tuesday's event."These panels are a powerful example of how congregations are doing the necessary work to reduce their environmental impact upon this good earth," said GIPL Executive Director Kate McGregor Mosley during her opening remarks. "They show publicly how caring for Creation is a part of its faith–and part of the shared responsibility we have for the sake of our Common Home."Among the business, faith, and environmental leaders gathered at the event was Rev. Dr. Gerald Durley, minister and civil rights leader, who called Pope Francis his "environmental evangelist.""This is the civil rights moment of our time," said Rev. Durley. "A kairos moment. A moral moment."Each speaker who addressed the crowd recognized the encyclical as a message that demands a response."The Pope has issued a moral call to action, but the responsibility to chart the course forward is our own," said Ian Karra, of the Beyond Coal Campaign of Sierra Club National.Susan Varlamoff, GIPL board member and director of UGA’s Environmental Science Center for the School of Agriculture shared comments from Archbishop Wilton Gregory:"As the designated stewards of the world in which we live, we have been entrusted with this responsibility as a legacy of faith and part of our commitment to the generations that will follow us."

Archbishop Gregory has appointed Varlamoff to lead a committee of local Catholics to recommend an action plan for local parishes. Included on that committee are scientists from UGA, such as geologist Dr. Rob McDowell, active GIPL volunteer and guest lecturer.

The plan will include a number of GIPL programs to aid congregations in the practical work of reducing their carbon footprint and mitigate environmental impact. The action plan will be submitted to the archbishop by the end of June for his review. It will then be made available to the Catholic community for implementation.

Mosley says Tuesday's turnout is evidence of how the encyclical is already galvinizing the faith community to respond to the environmental challenges of our time, but now, it's time to get down to business.

"There are fifteen thousand houses of worship in Georgia at last count," says Mosley. "We aim to work with every single one. GIPL has touched one thousand congregations so far. We have our work to do."