Climate-focused topic for "Ideas Worth Contemplating," Sunday morning August 9th.

"Ideas Worth Contemplating" is an adult religious education program at Wildflower Church.  The series uses inspiring and thought-provoking TED Talks to generate discussion about important topics to help broaden our understanding of the world and deepen relationships among participants.  The video portion is brief, allowing ample time for participants to discuss the ideas. It meets:

1st and 3rd Sundays, 9 - 10 a.m., on ZOOM 

The climate team has begun partnering with this program (fairly regularly) on 3rd Sundays to present a climate-focused TED talk, and as is customary, the greater portion of the time is for discussion. The next one is:

AUGUST 9th (3rd Sunday), 9 - 10 a.m., on ZOOM 
TOPIC:    “Climate Justice Can’t Happen Without Racial Justice.” 
                 Here is the link to the TED talk, if you would like to watch ahead of time. 

  For deeper-divers, here are a couple companion articles:
                  a)    Unequal Impact: The Deep Links Between Racism and Climate Change      https://e360.yale.edu/features/unequal-impact-the-deep-links-between-inequality-and-climate-change
                  b)    Op-Ed: American Environmentalism’s Racist Roots Have Shaped Global Thinking About Conservation  https://today.uconn.edu/2020/09/op-ed-american-environmentalisms-racist-roots-shaped-global-thinking-conservation/#

   The ZOOM link for Ideas Worth Contemplating may be found in the Weekly Newsletter of Wildflower Church, or you may request it from wildearth@wildflowerchurch.org 

June 20th Climate Education - The Fayette Coal Plant - Danny Fetonte

 Climate Education classes will resume meeting on most 3rd Sundays.  This Sunday, the topic will be the Fayette Coal Power Plant, presented by Danny Fetonte of the climate organization 350-Austin.

SUNDAY,  JUNE 20TH   --  9 am - 10:15 am

ZOOM LINK:

https://zoom.us/j/97826544113?pwd=SVVPM2NaNm5vaXJtZmN3ZjgrU3l3UT09
Phone connection: 346-248-7799; Meeting ID: 978 2654 4113; Passcode: 932628

Save the date: Field Trip to visit Treaty Oak, May 29 (rain date, 6/12).

 

THIS SATURDAY, 5/29 – 8:30 a.m.   TREATY OAK CEREMONY AND BREAKFAST POTLUCK.  (Rain date, Sat. June 12)

Despite a chance of light rain, it is cool and beautiful--perfect weather if you are a tree. We will go ahead.  Consider bringing umbrella or rainjacket.  For more information, call or text  Susan, 512-810-0236.   
      If anyone can bring tarps (as well as blankets) that will help us keep blankets from getting soggy.  

      The WildEarth Climate Action Team invites you and friends to join us for this spiritually and physically nourishing event! We will gather at  8:30 a.m. at Treaty Oak Square, 507 Baylor Street, which is downtown just west of Lamar S. between 5^th and 6^th street. Enter this little park from Baylor Street (there are a number of metered City parking spaces on Baylor Street).

We are inspired to visit Treaty Oak because of its unique and important history in this region, as one of our 500+ year old neighbors. The Treaty Oak is a Texas live oak tree in Austin, Texas, United States, and the last surviving member of the Council Oaks, a grove of 14 trees that served as a sacred meeting place for Comanche and Tonkawa tribes prior to European settlement of the area. (Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_Oak_(Austin,_Texas) 

   We begin at 8:30 a.m.  with a ritual led by Sheila Ray (thank you Sheila!), and eat and socialize afterwards. Families welcome. There is one small picnic table, and a limited grassy area but big enough for kids to play around. 

Please RSVP on this Google Form https://forms.gle/gqHnC4Rn1ZruyMvBA that Aly Tharp created to help us plan.  

Some important things that are on the form: 

- Bringing blankets and/or chairs is suggested. Let us know on the form if you need us to bring chairs for you.
- Let us know if you will potluck with us or bring your own food.
- If potlucking, what you plan to bring. 

FIELD TRIP! Saturday, February 6 | TREE PLANTING! Sunday, Feb. 7

SAT. FEB. 6, 9:30 am -- FIELD TRIP: The WildEarth Climate Action Team invites anyone to join us on a field trip to Boggy Creek Farm. We'll go on a  owner-guided tour of this 5-acre sustainable organic farm, then visit their farm stand to shop if desired. To car-caravan with us, meet at Wildflower's parking lot at 9:30 a.m.  Wildflower Church's address is 1314 E. Oltorf, Austin TX.

Or, meet us in front of the farm stand  at 10 a.m. They're open 8 am to 1 pm if you want to go earlier.
 - Address: 3414 Lyons Road (a few blocks east of N. Pleasant Valley Rd.)
 - Rain date: February 13. HOWEVER, the weather looks fine on the 6th, cool but dry.

Masks required. We will caravan but not carpool; please ride only with members of your household or "pod".

SUN. FEB. 7, 2:00 pm -- TREE PLANTING:       Also, the team has partnered with Faith for tree-planting on our campus. Volunteers are wanted to help dig holes and plant two trees next Sunday  at 2 pm.  

To join either of these events, contact Susan Lippman or  wildearth@wildflowerchurch.org