Faith in Action - MBTA

This past Sunday, Greening Grace organized a letter writing protest against the proposed MBTA service reductions and fair increases.  The proposed changes would have a devastating effect on the most vulnerable including seniors and low income in Medford and other effected communities.  They would also take Massachusetts backwards in the fight against Climate Change and increase traffic on our already crowded roads in and around Boston.

We wrote over a dozen letters to the MBTA, local and state officials with signatures from dozens of members of Grace Church.  Some letters were written by hand, while others typed.  The kids joined in too, decorating the envelopes with environmentally and public transit themed art.

Everyone that attended was glad they could do their part and show support for legislators opposing the proposals and encourage other legislators to do the same.

If you would like more information on setting up your own letter writing campaign, contact us at GreeningGrace@gracemedford.org.  It was fun and easy and makes a difference.

Peace!
Jon

TAKE ACTION FOR CLIMATE CHANGE AND TRANSPORTATION EQUITY

On Sunday, February 12, Greening Grace will host a letter-writing campaign to protest MBTA’s proposed fare increases and service cuts and urge legislators to change the funding formula for the MBTA. Please join us in Grace Church's Wiles Hall at 11:45 am! 

Years of borrowing for – instead of paying for – repairs and improvements to the states’ roads and transit systems have left the state without enough money to fund basic transportation operations. Also, the funding mechanism that the legislature put in place for the MBTA (a portion of the state sales tax) failed to produce the anticipated revenue. As a result, the MBTA is proposing grave fare hikes and service reductions to pay the bills. For example, the MBTA plans to cut all commuter rail service on weekends, and one of the proposals would eliminate four bus routes that service Medford. Service cuts and fare hikes will urban poor families the hardest because of their dependence on public transit and their limited ability to afford the fare increases. Also, it is wrong to cut public transit when we need to take serious steps to tackle climate change.

Come with your laptops, pens, friends, and kids. There will be chocolate snacks to help bring out your inner environmentalist.

To learn more about the proposed service reductions and fare hikes, go to http://www.mbta.com.

Question about the event should be directed to Jonathan Hunt or Catherine Smith at greeninggrace@gracemedford.org.

Faith Communities involved in Climate Change Conversation

Bishop Geoff Davies is at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Durban, South Africa (COP17). He was interviewed by OneClimate.net, who are reporting live from Durban during COP17.   Bishop Davies relates the need for action on climate change and the economic resistance to abolishing slavery in England and Apartheid in South Africa.

Here are some other really powerful quotes from Bishop Davies:

We believe in life before death.

Christians should worry less about getting to heaven and more about climate crisis on earth

We have been tasked by God to look after this creation and to look after one another on this creation.

Destruction of creation is a sin against God and crime against humanity.

Listen to this powerful call to action of the Faith Community by Bishop Davies.

Peace, Jon

In your mind, what is the most important thing (or lack of) coming out of the international negotiations in Durban?

"FLOW" Showing at Unitarian Universalist Church on Friday

Given the interest in social justice and water we have at Grace, I thought everyone should be aware of this opportunity to see this film.  I haven't see it myself, but based on the description I want to see it.

Peace,
Jon

Nov. 18: Film in Medford about water and the environment

The Social Justice Committees of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Medford and the First Parish Church of Malden will hold a screening of the award-winning documentary, "FLOW", produced by Irena Salina.

Come learn about what experts and scientists are calling the most important political and environmental issue of the 21st century: the world water crisis.

Beyond identifying the problem, "FLOW" also gives viewers a look at practical solutions to the water crisis.

The film will be followed by a discussion led by Nick Cohen, a local expert in fresh water conservation, and an Environmental Justice Coordinator. Nick is also
with Tri-City Community Action Program, Inc. (Tri-Cap) and the Mystic River Watershed Collaborative.

The event takes place Friday, November 18, at 7 p.m. in Benker Hall, Unitarian Universalist Church, 147 High St., Medford. There will be refreshments served. All are welcome.

For further information contact: Michael Glen, 781-396-6424 or Karen Lynch,
781-420-6186.