Interfaith Respect Series 2 Imam Hassan Qazwini Discusses The Iraq War And Other Issues : Earth Keepers

Prayers Supporters Needed At Sacred Eagle Rock As Ojibwa Figh...

Added 05/02/10
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Prayers Supporters Needed At Sacred Eagle Rock As Ojibwa Fight Sulfide Mine

[LESS INFO] 197 VIEWS | ADDED 03:30:41 05/02/10
Urgent Plea from Ojibwa Warrior: Supporters needed at Sacred Eagle Rock in northern Michigan to help prevent Kennecott Sulfide MineAbove, Photo of Sitting Bull on American Flag atop Sacred Eagle RockAmerican Indians and non-natives are encouraged to visit the northern Michigan campsite that is blocking a sulfide mine - as in sulfuric acid - from being built under Sacred Eagle RockLevi Tadgerson, an Anishinaabe man who loves and respects the environment, narrates this video that invites everyone to join the encampment at the base of Eagle Rock - the sooner the better because a confrontation between mine owners, the police and those protecting Sacred Eagle Rock could happen at any moment.EarthHealingTV youtubeUrgent: Join tribes, others who areblocking Sacred Eagle Rock from mining giant Kennecotthttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zv542P75-fwPlease watch 3 minute video by Tadgerson - who is a 22-year-old Northern Michigan University senior and member of Bay Mills Indian Community. The video was shot on 4/29/2010.Playing A "Thank you" Drum is Elder Bobby "Bullet" St. Germaine of Iron River, MIIn the video, you will see the many amazing things happening to protect Sacred Eagle Rock including an appearance by popular American Indian singer/songwriter Elder Bobby "Bullet" St. Germaine of Iron River, MI - an elder of the Lac Du Flambeau tribe in Wisconsin.Germain, who sings and leads a thank you drum under the shadow of Sacred Eagle Rock, says all those helping at the standoff are "warriors" in a larger cause."Warriors" who are protecting Sacred Eagle RockPhotos by Greg PetersonThe Blue "Water Flag" that hangs atop Sacred Eagle RockEagle Rock has been a sacred place to hold ceremonies since the Ojibwa tribe was created and was seeded to the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) under treaties with the American government.The multi-tribe encampment, that could be raided by mine guards and police at any moment, is blocking the Eagle Mine Project by international mining giant Kennecott Minerals and its parent company Rio Tinto.KBIC member Glen Bressette Jr., 38, of Harvey, Michigan brought a rare legally-permitted Eagle has been received to award feathers to those who honor their tribes by protecting sacred Eagle Rock and other honorable actions.Cliff's edge atop Sacred Eagle Rock in Marquette County, MichiganDozens of people from numerous tribes have spent days at the camp - and many others have brought supplies to the remote site on dirt roads about an hour from any city.The state of Michigan has claimed ownership to the land - but the lease with Kennecott only takes effect when the mine has secured all permits.Opponents say the mine must still get a federal EPA groundwater permit - but under a technicality the mine owners say they do not need the permit and recently put up “No Trespassing” signs.The American Indians rushed to the sight after Kennecott ordered the arrest of longtime mine opponent Cynthia Pryor of Big Bay, MI on April 20, 2010.Pryor was out for her usual walk on the Yellow Dog Plains when she spotted a bulldozer - and refused to leave saying the mine still had an EPA permit pending.Pryor is a member of the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve.Among the Ojibwa tribes from Michigan and Wisconsin on sight are KBIC, Lac Du Flambeau, and Bay Mills Indian Community.As of April 30th, the mine guards has not confronted the campers - but the day before ordered no still or video cameras are allowed. That has campers worried about why what they do not want videotaped or documented - thus nerves are high.When a reporter arrived a short time later - the campers allowed him on the sight and this story was videotaped.For more information call:1-906-401-0109The video was produced by the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute in Marquette, MI, which has founded numerous youth, faith and Native American related environment projects.Bobby "Bullet" St. Germaineof Iron River, MI - a member of the Lac Du Flambeau tribe inWisconsin.He is a well-know longtime nativesinger:http://www.bobbybullet.comPetition to support Cynthia Pryorwww.savethewildup.org/jailed/petitionYellow Dog Watershed Preserve:http://www.yellowdogwatershed.org/blogSave the Wild U.P. (SWUP):http://www.savethewildup.orgSWUP Facebook Page:http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=20079015072SWUP Causes on Facebookhttp://www.causes.com/causes/46130?recruiter_id=60587135Stand for the Land blog:http://standfortheland.comStand for the Land flickr photos:http://www.flickr.com/photos/49633257@N03Stories by Gabriel Caplett and otherson the “Headwaters: Citizen Journalism For the Great Lakes”website.http://headwaters.netHeadwaters stories include oppositionto the Kennecott Eagle Mine project and alleged international crimesand bad acts by Kennecott Mining and its parent company Rio Tinto:“Taking a Stand”: Sacred SiteCelebrated Despite Citizen Arresthttp://headwatersnews.net/mining-article/taking-a-stand-sacred-site-celebrated-despite-citizen-arrestPryor Ordered to Leave Jail:http://headwatersnews.net/mining-article/pryor-ordered-to-leave-jailCynthia Prior Pleads Not Guilty:http://headwatersnews.net/mining-article/cynthia-pryor-pleads-not-guiltyCynthia Pryor arrested at mineproperty:http://headwatersnews.net/mining-article/citizen-arrested-for-%E2%80%9Ctrespassing%E2%80%9D-on-public-land/Eagle Mine Concerns Raised at Rio TintoMeeting:http://headwatersnews.net/mining-article/audio-rio-tintos-annual-general-meetingUpper Peninsula Mine Threatens SacredTribal Rights:http://headwatersnews.net/mining-blog/upper-peninsula-mine-threatens-sacred-tribal-rightsRio Tinto Stomps on Indigenous Rightsin Upper Peninsula of Michigan:http://headwatersnews.net/mining-blog/rio-tinto-stomps-out-indigenous-rights-in-upper-michiganKennecott Minerals parent company RioTinto accused of crimes ranging from bribery to espionage toviolating mining act:http://headwatersnews.net/mining-article/uk-serious-fraud-office-to-investigate-rio-tintohttp://headwatersnews.net/mining-article/rio-tinto-employees-charged-with-industrial-espionage-and-briberyhttp://headwatersnews.net/mining-article/rio-tinto-pleads-guilty-to-breach-of-mining-management-act-again-2USA Today and Washington Post storiesfrom Associated Press by writer John Flesher article about ChaunceyMoran, vice chairman of the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve and avolunteer stream monitorhttp://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2007-09-08-276323347_x.htmhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/08/AR2007090800356.htmlMore stories and info about ChaunceyMoran:http://www.waterkeeper.org/ht/d/OrganizationDetails/id/707http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5AP05J20091126Mining Journal stories:Native American activists protest atEagle Rock 4/25/10:http://miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/543341.htmlMining Journal Editorial: Cooler headsmust prevail in mine protests 4/25/10:http://miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/543354.htmlPryor pleads not guilty to trespassing:Mining opponent arrested at Kennecott operation 4/21/10:http://miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/543227.htmlMine foe Pryor remains jailed 4/22/10:http://miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/543253.htmlRally Held at Eagle Rockhttp://miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/543014.html?nav=5006Mining Journal Video of Rally:http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/543018.html?nav=5056DEQ mine decision questioned 1/16/10:http://miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/539169.htmlYellow Dog Plains on Wikipedia:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_Dog_PlainsYellow Dog Plains Pix via Wikipedia ByMaynard Leon and Kirill Zikanov (Wiki username Kirillz)Trouble on the Yellow Dog Plains:http://savethewildup.org/files/swup/265.pdfGRANHOLM, DEQ DECISION CONDEMNED BYU.P.http://www.ausableanglers.org/files/members/RIVERWATCH48.pdfProtect the Earth: Part 2, Walk toEagle Rock By Michele Bourdieuhttp://keweenawnow.blogspot.com/2009/08/protect-earth-part-2-walk-to-eagle-rock.htmlState of Michigan Info on Eagle MineProject:http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3311_4111_18442-130551--,00.htmlNonprofit Cedar Tree Institute:http://www.CedarTreeInstitute.org

Noted Theologian Dr Walter Brueggemann Warns Humans Must Stop...

Added 02/20/10
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Youngsters Learn Recycling Nmu Earth Keeper Student Team Eco ...

Added 12/15/09
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Youngsters Learn Recycling Nmu Earth Keeper Student Team Eco Christmas

[LESS INFO] 22 VIEWS | ADDED 16:34:03 12/15/09
Teaching youth: Northern Michigan University EarthKeeper Student Team Eco-Christmas(Marquette, MI) - Dozens of youngsters from across Michigan created recycled holiday cards and homemade tea bags for gifts this weekend during the Northern Michigan University EarthKeeper's Eco-Christmas Workshop at the Peter White Public Library in Marquette.The Northern Michigan University EarthKeeper (NMU EK) Student Team hosted the workshop from 1-4 p.m. across from the children's library attracting several mothers from the Lower Peninsula and a teacher from Paradise in the eastern Upper Peninsula who plans to bring the idea into her classroom.While finding ways to entertain and educate her children while her husband checked out job offers in Marquette, Tara Strong of downstate Grand Blanc brought her young daughter and baby son to the Upper Peninsula Children's Museum and then the Peter White children's library.“My husband is here interviewing for a residency position for after med school,” said Strong. “We just found out about the project from the librarian.”“I love it. I love the recycling idea. We're also on a very limited budget and so I really like the idea of recycling and hand making things. I think it's great.”Strong said she and her daughter “are having great fun.”“I've been making crafts,” said four-year-old Anja Strong. “I made a tea bag and I have a honey bear stick”Joined by her brother and a friend, 18-year-old NMU EK Student Team member Ellen Lindblom said the end of the semester meant lots of scrap paper lying around the university.“School just ended and people have lost of papers left over” that was cut into tiny pieces by NMU EK team members, said Lindblom, an NMU freshman “You put it in the blender with a little bit of water and you blend it until it looks a little bit chunky like this.”“You put it in a screen flatten it out - pat the water out,” said Lindblom, while using a towel and iron to dry and flatten the multicolored wet paper as 21 year-old NMU EK Student Team Director Ben Scheelk of downstate Charlevoix used a small hair dryer to speed up the process.“We took a towel and pressed the water out to speed up the drying process a little bit,” she said. “Then flattened it out a little harder with an iron. I think it looks nice.”His hand atop the lid on a blender that whirred with red, blue, purple and white bits of paper, Mike Robinson, a 21-year-old NMU senior geography major, from downstate Grosse Pointe, said the project is a “good holiday craft.”“We are taking some scrap paper from various places and construction paper and making it into some pulp in a blender with some water,” said Robinson, a member of the NMU EK Student team.Pressing the bits of soggy paper into a screen with borders, 16-year-old Negaunee High School junior Phil Lindblom said “this is what they call extreme pulp.”“I am taking this wet paper and putting it on these screens and pushing water out of it,” said Lindbloom, whose sister is a member of the NMU EarthKeepers. “I am making new paper which is pretty exciting.”Escanaba native Carole Beck, who teaches in third through fifth grade at the White Fish Township Community School in Paradise, said she'll take the NMU EarthKeeper's idea into her classrooms and maybe make Valentines Day cards.“We're trying to figure out how we could create the screen there that would be the only thing that we would need extra,” Beck said. “We should be able to do that.”The student put out bowls with spearmint, raspberry leaves, juniper berries and rose hips that the youngsters used to “make a green tea - a detoxifying beautiful beverage,” said 21-year-old NMU EK Student Team Event Coordinator Amanda Emerson of Cary, Ill. “We also have honey sticks to go along with the tea.”The herbs were donated by Catholic EarthKeeper Kyra Fillmore and the Marquette Food Co-op.“You just wrap those up herbs in an eco-friendly coffee filter and tie it with a string in a nice little bow and there you go,” said Emerson, an NMU Senior Majoring in International Studies (emphasis on Latin America) and Earth Science (emphasis on rocks and minerals). “There's your gift - a homemade card and homemade tea bags.”Protecting the earth and teaching the young to respect the planet are major goals of the EarthKeepers, said 21-year-old NMU EarthKeeper Leandra Dziesinski of Alpena, MI.“It's very important to care care of your things and the earth is absolutely our thing - it's where we're at - so we have to take care of it we only have one earth, said Dziesinski, an NMU senior graduating in May with a bachelor's degree in marketing. I think if we have a happy, safe and a clean place to live that just makes our population that much more happy.”In September, the NMU EarthKeepers cleaned up hundreds of pounds of litter at the Upper Dead River Falls, a popular studnet hangout, Scheelk said.The NMU EKStudent Team is the youth wing of the Upper Peninsula EarthKeepers, an interfaith environment group involving over 150 churches and temples across northern Michigan.The EarthKeeper Initiative is co-sponsored by the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute, the nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and 10 faith communities: Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Baha'i, Jewish, Quakers (Religious Society of Friends) and Zen Buddhist.For more information on the Michigan EarthKeepers email or call the following contacts:Ben Scheelk, Director of NMU EK Student Teambscheelk@nmu.edu231-675-0121Rev. Jon Magnuson, Co-Founder of EarthKeeper Initiativemagnusonx2@charter.net906-228-5494Greg Peterson, news reporter and volunteer media advisor for the EarthKeepers and other projectsearthkeeper@charter.net906-401-0109U.P. EarthKeeper Team:http://www.upearthkeepers.orgNonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership in Marquette, MIhttp://www.superiorwatersheds.orgNonprofit Cedar Tree Institute in Marquette, MIhttp://www.cedartreeinstitute.org

Make A Difference Day 2009 Nmu Earth Keeper Student Team Clea...

Added 10/25/09
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Make A Difference Day 2009 Nmu Earth Keeper Student Team Cleans Along Dead River

[LESS INFO] 2 VIEWS | ADDED 19:54:32 10/25/09
Northern Michigan University EarthKeeper Student Teams Makes a Difference by removing trash from a favorite youth party spot on a Lake Superior tributary in Michigan's Upper Peninsula(Marquette, Michigan) - A student environment group from Northern Michigan University honored “Make A Difference Day” by picking up hundreds of pounds of litter and garbage at a favorite youth party spot around the Upper Dead River Falls in Marquette, Michigan.The rubbish collected by the Northern Michigan University EarthKeeper (NMU EK) Student Team on Saturday (October 24, 2009) included rusty box springs, a smashed vehicle windshield and a plethora of beer bottles and cans. Some of the beverage containers were very old because they had the old pull-top design.The Upper Dead River Falls is a rugged area with sandy hills, steep trails, rocky cliffs, a lengthy series of waterfalls and the obvious remnants of many campfires.“I just found a used diaper, a lot of glass, broken bottles, cans and cigarette wrappers,” said Ben Scheelk, 21, of Charlevoix, MI, director of the NMU EK Student Team.“What really disappoints me is all the big things we are finding like bed springs and other rusty old metal things,” Scheelk said.While looking at the rushing water, NMU EK Student Team Event Coordinator Amanda Emerson said "water is an important entity of the world and even though we have so much of it around here we have to cherish it that much more.""We been out here so many times there is no one out here ever picking it up their trash,” said Emerson, 21, of Cary, Ill. (NW Chicago).NMU Senior Chelsey Cebulsky said she was proud to participate in “Make A Difference Day” and “picking up this trash is a good thing to do for the environment.”“I have been out here many times for the party scene but I was always the one carrying around a plastic bag telling everyone to put their cans in it - sadly not very many people listened,” said Chelsey Cebulsky, 22, a physical geography major from of Adrian, MI. "Get a trash bag and get rid of trash yourself."NMU junior Ben Youren used gloves to carefully separated hundreds of pieces of shattered glass from the muddy soil on a hillside along the river.“It looks like it is part of a windshield,” said Youren, 26, an English major. “I am trying to dig the glass out of here.”The NMU environment group is the student wing of the interfaith Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper Team that holds annual Earth Day environment projects across northern Michigan including planting over 12,000 trees this past spring.Prior to the collection, the group sat in a circle at the NMU University Center and got a lesson in the importance of clean water from the co-founder of the Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper Initiative.“Almost 80 percent of the world is water and our bodies are 80 percent water, said Rev. Jon Magnuson, co-founder of the EarthKeeper Initiative and campus pastor for NMU Lutheran Campus Ministry.“There is a delicate balance when it comes to pH or the amount of acid in water and if that balance gets thrown off we can die.”Magnuson said people who grow up in northern Michigan sometimes “take it for granted because we have so much water.”“If you go to other places in the world you will see people who have to travel miles to get fresh water,” Magnuson said. “Their whole life is centered around accessing good water.”The students clean up project may of had a preventative effect.While the students were cleaning up the area, a pickup truck pulled up with a load of tires in the back. After talking briefly to the students, the two men in the truck pulled away.“It looks like we prevented them from dumping a whole load of tires along side of the river,” Scheelk said.Background on EarthKeeper Initiative:The EarthKeepers are an interfaith environment group involving over 150 churches and temples across northern Michigan.The EarthKeeper Initiative is co-sponsored by the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute, the nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and 10 faith communities: Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Baha'i, Jewish, Quakers (Religious Society of Friends) and Zen Buddhist.For more information on the Michigan EarthKeepers email or call the following contacts: Ben Scheelk, Director of NMU EK Student Teambscheelk@nmu.edu231-675-0121 Rev. Jon Magnuson, Co-Founder of EarthKeeper Initiativemagnusonx2@charter.net906-228-5494Greg Peterson, news reporter and volunteer media advisor for the EarthKeepers and other projectsearthkeeper@charter.net906-401-0109U.P. EarthKeeper Team:http://www.upearthkeepers.orgNonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership in Marquette, MIhttp://www.superiorwatersheds.orgNonprofit Cedar Tree Institute in Marquette, MIhttp://www.cedartreeinstitute.orgMake A Difference Day:http://www.makeadifferenceday.comhttp://www.facebook.com/makeadifferencedayhttp://www.usaweekend.com/diffday/index.html

Interfaith Respect Series #4 Jewish Dr Michael Grossman On R...

Added 07/04/09
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Interfaith Respect Series #4 Jewish Dr Michael Grossman On Rabbi Hillel Safed Mystics Kabbalah

[LESS INFO] 19 VIEWS | ADDED 01:26:15 07/04/09
The EarthKeeper “Interfaith Respect” video series continues with a look at the Jewish faith with Dr. Michael Grossman of Ishpeming, Michigan.The video ends with a drum solo and singing by Northern Michigan University student Emmanuel Shayo.The series is brought to you buy the Northern Michigan University EarthKeeper Student Team and the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute and its related environment projects like the interfaith Earth Healing Initiative, the interfaith Upper Peninsula (U.P.) EarthKeeper Team and more.Interfaith Respect has long been a goal of the U.P. EarthKeeper Team in northern Michigan.On June 4, 2009 President Barack Obama said in Cairo, Egypt that people from different religions should respect each other’s faiths:“The richness of religious diversity must be upheld ... faith should bring us together.”The video series began with a three part look at Islam (see links below) and now the Jewish faith.Future videos will include Baha’i, Zen Buddhist and Christian (Catholic, Lutheran, United Church of Christ and more).In this video we feature Dr. Michael Grossman, a member of Temple Beth Sholom, a Jewish Synagogue in Ishpeming, MI. After Dr. Grossman's talk, you will hear NMU student Emmanuel Shayo who played a drum solo and sang.Dr. Grossman joined faith leaders from other religions on April 23, 2009 in an address to NMU students.The interfaith messages were deliver during the Sacred Planet series sponsored by the EarthKeeper NMU Student Team led by team leaders Sarah Swanson and Ben Scheelk.The first three videos featured well-known Muslim Imam Hassan Qazwini, head of the Islamic Center of America, who spoke on Oct. 22, 2008 at the Lutheran Campus Ministry (LCM) Lothl

Interfaith Respect Series #3 Imam Hassan Qazwini Explains Isl...

Added 06/22/09
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Interfaith Respect Series #3 Imam Hassan Qazwini Explains Islam Respect For Women

[LESS INFO] 8 VIEWS | ADDED 11:20:49 06/22/09
Interfaith Respect Series #3: Islamic Center of America Imam Hassan Qazwini explains Islam and respect for woman Interfaith Respect has long been a goal of the Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper Team in northern Michigan.Interfaith graphics by Justice St. RainInterfaith Respect Series on BlipTV courtesy the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute in Marquette, MI and the interfaith Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper team: On June 4, 2009 President Barack Obama said in Cairo, Egypt that people from different religions should respect each other’s faiths: “The richness of religious diversity must be upheld ... faith should bring us together.”In that spirit, the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute in Marquette, MI begins a series of videos from a wide range of faiths.These videos include Baha’i, Jewish, Muslim, Zen Buddhist and Christian (Catholic, Lutheran, United Church of Christ and more.)Interfaith graphics by Justice St. RainWe start with three videos with well-know Muslim Imam Hassan Qazwini (pictured above) and followed by three videos of Dr. Michael Grossman, a member of Temple Beth Sholom (pictured below), a Jewish Synagogue in Ishpeming, MI.Blip TV:Bliptv video #1Bliptv Interfaith Respect Series #2 Islamic Center of America Imam Hassan Qazwini talks about his life during fall 2008 visit to MarquetteBliptv video #2Bliptv Interfaith Respect Series #2: Islamic Center of America Imam Hassan Qazwini discusses the Iraq War and other issuesyoutube video #1Islamic Center of America Imam Hassan Qazwini talks about his life during fall 2008 visit to Marquetteyoutube video #2Interfaith Respect Series #2: Islamic Center of America Imam Hassan Qazwini discusses the Iraq War and other issuesImam Hassan Qazwini photos by Greg PetersonImam Hassan Qazwini, head of the Islamic Center of America, spoke on Oct. 22, 2008 at the Lutheran Campus Ministry (LCM) Lothl

Interfaith Respect Series #2 Imam Hassan Qazwini Discusses Th...

Added 06/20/09
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Interfaith Respect Series #2 Imam Hassan Qazwini Discusses The Iraq War And Other Issues

[LESS INFO] 7 VIEWS | ADDED 00:08:01 06/20/09
Interfaith Respect Series #2: Islamic Center of America Imam Hassan Qazwini talks about the Iraq War and other issues Interfaith Respect has long been a goal of the Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper Team in northern Michigan.Interfaith graphics by Justice St. RainOn June 4, 2009 President Barack Obama said in Cairo, Egypt that people from different religions should respect each other’s faiths: “The richness of religious diversity must be upheld ... faith should bring us together.”In that spirit, the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute in Marquette, MI begins a series of videos from a wide range of faiths.These videos include Baha’i, Jewish, Muslim, Zen Buddhist and Christian (Catholic, Lutheran, United Church of Christ and more.)Interfaith graphics by Justice St. RainWe start with three videos with well-know Muslim Imam Hassan Qazwini (pictured above) and followed by three videos of Dr. Michael Grossman, a member of Temple Beth Sholom (pictured below), a Jewish Synagogue in Ishpeming, MI.Blip TV:Bliptv video #1Bliptv Interfaith Respect Series #2 Islamic Center of America Imam Hassan Qazwini talks about his life during fall 2008 visit to MarquetteBliptv video #2Bliptv Interfaith Respect Series #2: Islamic Center of America Imam Hassan Qazwini discusses the Iraq War and other issuesyoutube video #1Islamic Center of America Imam Hassan Qazwini talks about his life during fall 2008 visit to Marquetteyoutube video #2Interfaith Respect Series #2: Islamic Center of America Imam Hassan Qazwini discusses the Iraq War and other issuesImam Hassan Qazwini photos by Greg PetersonImam Hassan Qazwini, head of the Islamic Center of America, spoke on Oct. 22, 2008 at the Lutheran Campus Ministry (LCM) Lothl

Interfaith Respect Series #1 Islamic Center Of America Imam H...

Added 06/04/09
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Over 12 000 Trees Planted Across Northern Michigan In Early Ma...

Added 05/13/09
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Over 12 000 Trees Planted Across Northern Michigan In Early May 2009 By U P Earth Keepers

[LESS INFO] 6 VIEWS | ADDED 16:42:14 05/13/09
Over 12,000 trees planted by Northern Michigan interfaith EarthKeepers during early May across 400 miles of northern Michigan and Minocqua, WisconsinRaging forest fires underline importance of planting treesEarth Day 2009: First tree planted and blessed by northern Michigan bishops and faith leaders on Earth Day 2009 near shores of Lake Superior at Presque Isle in Marquette (Marquette, Michigan) - Northern Michigan residents planted more than 12,000 trees in early May across a 400-mile area of the Upper Peninsula and in northern Wisconsin during the 2009 interfaith EarthKeeper Tree Project.White Spruce and Red Pine seedlings measuring 12 to 16 inches tall were given to over 100 churches and temples in all 15 Upper Peninsula (U.P.) counties and Minocqua, WI, said Catholic EarthKeeper Kyra Fillmore of Marquette, the project distribution coordinator."We hope these trees grow strong and tall," Fillmore said.EarthKeeper volunteers planted the 12,000 trees by homes, camps, parks, American Indian reservations and many other places with help from hundreds of chilren ranging in age from two-years-old to twenty-two.In a tragic irony, within hours of the last trees being planted two raging forest fires erupted in Marquette and Alger counties. In Marquette County, 33 structures were destroyed including 12 homes. In Baraga County, an EarthKeeper tree planter was preparing to bury a cousin at the Pinery Cemetery when the wildfire ripped through the Native American cemetery destroying 45 spirit houses. Fortunately there were no deaths or serious injuries reported. Untold thousands and thousands of trees were burned in the forest fires. The fires underline the need for people to plant trees and remove dead underbrush from around your home."My kids and I had a great time packing trees and planting trees," said Carl Lindquist, who has a son Nels, 13, and a daughter Ingrid, 11, and is executive director of the nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership in Marquette. "I think everyone likes to feel like they are part of something much bigger than they are."The EarthKeeper team includes ten faith traditions with over 150 participating churches/temples (Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Baha'i, Jewish, Zen Buddist, Quakers), plus the nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership, the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute, and the Northern Michigan University EarthKeeper (NMU EK) Student Team.Three Native American sisters and their mom volunteered at the Marquette tree distribution center. The girls planted trees behind their Gwinn, MI home hoping to attract more wildlife to what has turned into a nature preserve of sorts with a wide variety of wild animals and birds."We've decided to do a wildlife sanctuary in our backyard because we already have deer and many other animals come," said Pamella Vincent, 17, a senior at Gwinn High School. "It will be really cool to see different animals come because of the trees."In the eight-acre area, "we already have Sand Hill Cranes, and deer and coyotes there, so we are trying to get more animals to come," said Paige Vincent, 14, an eighth grader at Gwinn Middle School.The youngest sister, Gilbert Elementary School sixth grader Paula Vincent, 12, said she has spotted cranes and "had popcorn in my hand and a crow came to eat out of my hand.The Vincent family are members of St. James the Less Episcopal Church in Harvey, MI.The girl’s mom Theresa Vincent said her great-grandpa was a Cherokee chief in Maryland who was joined by other relatives in walking the "Trail of Tears" into the Appalachian foothills. Vincent said she has taught her daughters about the respect Native Americans have for the land and wildlife."We're here to help keep the earth green and the trees are important," Theresa Vincent said. The family believes it's important to "keep in touch with Mother Earth" in ways that include "recycling, reducing (energy consumption) and reusing" manmade products.The sisters said Americans Indians have always respected the environment."It's always been tradition for natives that if you take something away from the earth, you have to give it back - or give a blessing - so normally we would give tobacco or (in this case) plant trees," Paige Vincent said. "We're planting trees to give back to Mother Nature."The trees were purchased or donated by the U.P. EarthKeeper team, Superior Watershed Partnership, Holli Forest Products, the Forestland Group, Plum Creek Timber Company and Meister's Greenhouses.Some groups and individuals have donated money to help the tree project including Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Western U.P. Chapter 30918 in Ironwood, MI.The EarthKeepers is "focused on how the faith communities can work together" despite theological differences, said Northern Great Lakes Synod Lutheran Bishop Thomas A. Skrenes."Religious differences are a huge factor in many parts of life and certainly there are big differences between different religious communities," said Bishop Skrenes, the head of 94 U.P. Lutheran congregations with 40,000 members.Skrenes asked "where is it that we can find ways to work together?""Nature is one of those places and EarthKeepers has provided us the opportunity to again renew our relationship with people who are very different in some ways and yet very similar," said Skrenes, an original signer of the EarthKeeper Covenant.Volunteer Johnny Bryant delivered 3,000 seedlings - one fourth of the entire planting effort - from a Marquette warehouse to Messiah Lutheran Church that served as the Marquette County distribution center for 25 churches and temples.In a parking lot of the Marquette distribution center, the trees were blessed by numerous other faith traditions as the seedlings were picked up including a Catholic and Jewish blessing.After speaking in Hebrew, Dr. Michael Grossman, a member an Ishpeming Synagogue, translated what he had said into English and explained some of the Jewish beliefs about protecting the environment."We have blessings for everything in Judaism, so I just blessed the trees," said Grossman, a member of Temple Beth Sholom in Ishpeming. "We are grateful to God for bringing trees from the earth - when we eat we bless the bread - when we drink wine we bless the fruit.""Trees are symbolic of life," Grossman said. "Trees are very important in Judaism as I am sure they are important to all faith traditions."Grossman then planted the trees at several locations in west Marquette County and in the city of Negaunee with help from two employees from his office."We jumped at the chance to help plant the trees," said Rachel Riley, 25, hile standing next to fellow volunteer Kim McCarthy, 35, both of Negaunee. After the long winter, "I've been meaning to get out and do some work."Gail Griffith of Marquette, the EarthKeeper Implementation Team co-chair, brought trees to her congregation at the Marquette Unitarian Universalist Church (MUUC).The MUUC planted seedlings in a Memorial Garden on their property near Harvey, MI and other trees as a future noise buffer to the heavy M-28 traffic that passes by their meeting house. The MUUC donated some of their trees to youth projects including 30 seedlings to a 4-H group.‘We had a blessing of the trees as part of our service," Griffith said.Powell Township students (above) in the first through fourth grades planted about 30 seeedlings donated by the UU congregation. In Big Bay, MI, the first through fourth graders at Powell Township Schools planted about 30 of the UU trees at several locations including in the schoolyard and at near-by Perkins Park.“The students really took on a great deal of empathy for the trees - they carefully placed them in the holes, tucked the dirt around, created moats, stood up the sticks,” said teacher Kathy Wright. “Most kids visit their trees faithfully, sometimes leaving little special rocks or giving the trees and extra drink.”The students and teachers “thank the Unitarian Universalist congregation for the opportunity to connect with our Mother Earth, and for the vehicle to teach our kids about the value of trees and earth stewardship,” Wright said.MUUC member Nancy Irish the planting was more fun than work."We were digging and watering," Irish said. "We talked about how big they would be 20 years from now, and how we might drive by and remember the day that 12,000 trees were planted all across the U.P."Northern Michigan Quakers planted approximately 50 trees during the EarthKeeper project.The Lake Superior Friends is one of two U.P. Quaker groups in northern Michigan (the other is Keweenaw Friends Meeting in Houghton).David McCowen of Lake Superior Friends said at one of their recent meetings a seven-year-old girl said planting trees is one way to respect the planet."I think it is important to help the earth by planting trees, because it is giving and good for the earth," the youngster said.In accordance with their religion, the Quakers quietly support the EarthKeepers and seldom publicly discuss their daily actions that show respect for the earth, wildlife and people, McCowen said.One of the basic testimonials of the Quakers is "Simplicity of Living," McCowen said. "A modern outgrowth of that testimonial is care for the environment.""Being planters of the trees helps us personally take part in continuing that creation," McCowen said. "Here in the UP it is easy to take trees for granted, but trees are a major part of the surroundings that we love.""The technical benefits of trees are well known: carbon sequestration, sound buffers, wind breaks, wildlife habitat, fuel source, cellulose fiber source," McCowen said. "But faith communities have the privilege and responsibility of unselfishly considering the natural environment as being inherently desirable."Lake Superior Friends Meeting member Jim Smit of Harvey said that "stewardship of the earth finds its roots in the biblical account of creation.""Adam's job was to cultivate a garden filled with beautiful trees that produced good fruit," Smit said."Six times in the creation story the writer pauses to say that God looked at what he had made, and behold, it was very good," Smit said, adding "the implication is that we are meant to celebrate the earth and protect it."Smit said an example of Quaker views on the environment was explained during the Faith and Practice book written based on the North Pacific Yearly Meeting that reads in part: "We are obliged to cherish the earth, and to protect all its resources in a spirit of humble stewardship, committed to the right sharing of these resources among people everywhere.""Friends use questions or queries to approach issues of faith, implying that each of us is a seeker after truth," Smit said.The Faith and Practice book from the Friends' (Quaker's) 1972 Philadelphia Yearly Meeting questioned human impact on the environment: "Are you concerned that our increasing power over nature should not be used irresponsibly but with reverence for life and with a sense of the splendor of God's continuing creation?"McCowen said passages in the Bible books of Genesis, Isaiah and Leviticus reflect the Quaker view on nature, land and the Earth:"God saw all that he had made, and it was very good." - Genesis 1:31"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands." - Isaiah 55:12"Your land must not be sold on a permanent basis, because you do not own it; it belongs to God, and you are like foreigners who are allowed to make use of it." - Leviticus 25:23In Chocolay Township, seven-year-old Isabelle Gostomski was dressed in her finest Sunday dress as she and her father planted a seedling in their front yard."I got it from church and it's a tree - today was my first communion and I got this for a present." said Gostomski, the daughter of Jennifer and Greg Gostomski. The family attends St. Louis the King parish in Harvey, MI.Several faith leaders gave examples how the tree is used in religion in both a literal way and in a figurative way as in the "tree of life."Whiling hosting a planting party on a Bah

It's Underway North Mich Earth Keepers Bag 12 000 Trees For...

Added 04/30/09
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It's Underway North Mich Earth Keepers Bag 12 000 Trees For Planting Sun May3

[LESS INFO] 1 VIEWS | ADDED 06:09:40 04/30/09
It's Happening! And it's colorful!Update as rainbow marks start of EarthKeeper Tree Project: Across northern Michigan 12,000 trees bagged, delivery for Sunday, May 3 record plantingRainbow appears over Grace Presbyterian Church in Sagola as volunteers across northern Michigan prepare 12,000 trees for planting by about 100 churches and temples during interfaith Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper Tree Project. (Sagola Photos provided by Jessica Schultz, EarthKeeper volunteer)Volunteers at the Central United Methodist Church in Escanaba bag and prepare seedlings. (Escanaba photos provided by Jill Martin, Presbyterian EarthKeeper Volunteer)(Upper Peninsula of Michigan) - Across northern Michigan, 12,000 trees are being delivered to about 100 churches and temples across northern Michigan as the EarthKeeper Tree Project kicks into high gear in preparation for planting at thousands of locations on Sunday, May 3.On Thursday, April 30 volunteers were bagging the seedlings that are being given to ten faith traditions.In Sagola, Michigan, a rainbow appeared over the Grace Presbyterian Church as about 30 EarthKeeper volunteers spent three hours bagging 1,500 seedlings.The trees were blessed by Rev. David Anderson and then prepared to be delivered or picked up by seven other churches including Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian and a non-EarthKeeper but welcomed congregation - the Mission Covenant Church in Foster City. The Presbyterian and Catholic volunteers in Sagola came in all ages and included three generations of one family. Young children were taught by adults how to properly bag the seedlings and as the night ended the kids scurried around the church picking up pine needles to help with the clean up. Among those volunteering in Sagola were Marie Anderson, Sue Piasini, Gabriella Schultz, age 3; Chrissy Pringle, Brooke Hesse, Yvonne Schultz, Mary Schuteman, Jeff and Shelia Mott and their children Celia and Medoria Mott; Kassandra Donaldson, Mary Brault, Mara Smith, age 11 and Cameron Schultz, age 6.EarthKeeper volunteers at Grace Presbyterian Church in Sagola, MI prepare 1,500 trees for planting and distribution in Dickinson County as 12,000 trees will be planted by about 100 churches and temples during interfaith Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper Tree Project. (Sagola Photos provided by Jessica Schultz, EarthKeeper volunteer)EarthKeeper volunteers from the Presbyterian and United Methodist churches in Delta County separated and bagged 1,000 trees on Thursday (April 30) at the Central United Methodist Church in Escanaba.Bagging was also underway in Marquette and numerous other locations. Among those bagging trees in Escanaba were First Presbyterian Church members Kathy Christiansen and Jill Martin, plus Central United Methodist Church members Lois Nordin, Rocky Blixt, Bron Harmon, Cat Lindberg and Pat Rogers; all are Escanaba area residents.Among the Delta County churches participating (followed by the approx. number of trees each will receive) are St. Stephen’s Episcopal, Escanaba (150); Bethany Lutheran, Escanaba (250); First Presbyterian, Escanaba (150); Escanaba Central UMC, Escanaba (150); Trinity Episcopal, Gladstone (150) and Calvary Lutheran, Rapid River (150).Among the Dickinson County churches participating (followed by city and the approx. number of trees each will receive) are St. Rose Catholic, Channing (180); Zion of Metropolitan Lutheran, Felch (180); Our Saviour Lutheran, Iron Mountain (180); First Presbyterian, Kingsford (180); St. Mary Queen of Peace Catholic, Kingsford (180); Sagola Presbyterian, Sagola (420); and the Felch and Foster City churches including Mission Covenant Church in Foster City (180).Volunteers at the Central United Methodist Church in Escanaba bag and prepare seedlings. (Escanaba photos provided by Jill Martin, Presbyterian EarthKeeper Volunteer)EarthKeeper volunteers at Grace Presbyterian Church in Sagola, MI prepare 1,500 trees for planting and distribution in Dickinson County as 12,000 trees will be planted by about 100 churches and temples during interfaith Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper Tree Project. (Sagola Photos provided by Jessica Schultz, EarthKeeper volunteer)Most of the 12,000 12 to 16 inch White Spruce and Red Pine seedlings in the EarthKeeper Tree Project will be planted on Sunday (May 3).The EarthKeeper co-founders are Carl Lindquist, executive director of the nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership, and Rev. Jon Magmuson of Marquette. Magnuson is campus pastor for Lutheran Campus Ministry at Northern Michigan University and executive director of the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute in Marquette.The Earth Keeper Implementation Team co-chairs are Gail Griffith, who is a member of Marquette Unitarian Universalist Congregation, and Rev. Tesshin Paul Lehmberg, head priest of Lake Superior Zendo, a Marquette Zen Buddhist Temple.The EarthKeeper team includes ten faith traditions (Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Baha'i, Jewish, Zen Buddist, Quakers) with over 150 participating churches/temples, the nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership (SWP), the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute (CTI), and the NMU EK Student Team.The trees were purchased or donated by the U.P. EarthKeeper team, SWP, Holli Forest Products, the Forestland Group, Plum Creek Timber Company and Meister's Greenhouses.Some groups and individuals have donated money to help the tree project including Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Western U.P. Chapter 30918 in Ironwood, Michigan.Experts say 12,000 mature trees absorb 3 million pounds of carbon dioxide annually and produce enough oxygen to support 24,000 humans.This is the fifth year that the U.P. EarthKeepers have launched an Earth Day environment project.From 2005-2007, over 15,000 U.P. residents turned in more than 360 tons of household hazardous waste at a dozen collection sites across the U.P. Most of the items were recycled and the remainder was properly disposed under federal guidelines including electronic waste (e-waste) like computers, monitors and printers plus cell phones, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, herbicides, oil-based paint and vehicle batteries.Last year the EarthKeepers provided a household energy conservation checklist that resulted in over 3 million pounds of carbon being.For details on the tree distribution call Catholic EarthKeeper Kyra Fillmore, the project faith community communications coordinator, at 906-228-2388.For tree planting information contact the SWP at 906-228-6095.Related websites:U.P. EarthKeeper TeamNonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership in Marquette, MINonprofit Cedar Tree Institute in Marquette, MI

Earth Keeper Faith Leaders Bless First Of 12 000 Trees To Be P...

Added 04/29/09
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Earth Keeper Faith Leaders Bless First Of 12 000 Trees To Be Planted May 3

[LESS INFO] 5 VIEWS | ADDED 18:54:33 04/29/09
High Definition: EarthKeepers first high def video: Earth Day 2009 & The interfaith Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper Tree Project: Faith leaders bless and plant the first of 12,000 trees across the Upper PeninsulaThe Earth Day 2009 interfaith EarthKeeper Tree Project "Blessing of the Trees" ceremony was held next to the pavilion at Presque Isle, a popular Marquette, Michigan nature area - that is surrounded on three sides by Lake Superior. Faith leaders blessed a three-foot native species white spruce - the first of 12,000 trees to be planted across the Upper Peninsula on May 9 at over 100 churches and temples. (Photo by Greg Peterson)On Earth Day 2009 near the shores of Lake Superior, northern Michigan bishops and other faith leaders explain the connection between religion and protecting the environment to Marquette reporters including from two TV stations - WBUP/WBKP TV 5&10 and WLUC TV-6 - and two newspapers - the Mining Journal in Marquette and the U.P. Catholic. (Photo by Greg Peterson)(Marquette, Michigan) - Despite a major snowstorm a day earlier, bishops and leaders from northern Michigan's largest faith communities planted the first of 12,000 trees during an Earth Day ceremony on the shores of Lake Superior.Standing on a hillside surrounded by huge pine trees two bishops and several other faith leaders blessed a three-foot native species white spruce tree and took turns putting shovels full of dirt into the hole.With a cold wind blowing and icy waves of Lake Superior crashing in the background, the Earth Day 2009 late afternoon blessing of the trees ceremony was held on Presque Isle - that is surrounded on three sides by the largest freshwater lake on the planet.The storm dumped up to 20 inches of snow in parts of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, however several weeks of mild weather ensured the ground was not frozen.Anticipating the cold April weather, organizers earlier decided to plant the rest of the trees on Sunday, May 3 when the weather is more appropriate for planting the 12,000 12-to-16-inch seedlings at numerous locations across northern Michigan including 100 churches and temples.Superior Watershed Project Executive Director Carl Lindquist explains how his nonprofit organization has handled some of the technical aspects of the many EarthKeeper projects since 2004. The EarthKeeper Initiative co-founder, Lindquist said EarthKeeping ideas are spreading to other communities. (Photo by Greg Peterson) The concept of "EarthKeeping goes beyond the Upper Peninsula" because throughout the Great Lakes states "we're having a ripple effect" as people and groups "are replicating the work that the EarthKeepers have done here," said Carl Lindquist, SWP executive director. "They are patterning their events after some of the successful programs we have had here."Leaders from northern Michigan's largest faith communities gathered in the Presque Isle Pavilion to speak to those gathered for the Earth Day 2009 event.EarthKeeper Initiative co-founder Rev. Jon Magnuson, the NMU Lutheran Campus Ministry pastor, talks about the effectiveness of faith communities to turn out volunteers for environment projects (Photo by Greg Peterson) "This is very much a marvelous moment in the life of our work together as faith communities," said Rev. Jon Magnuson, CTI executive director and EarthKeeper Initiative co-founder."This is another step in our interfaith work," Magnuson said. "We have found an expression of our faith in very, very hands-on work like this the EarthKeeping Tree Project."The EarthKeeper team includes ten faith traditions (Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Baha'i, Jewish, Zen Buddist, Quakers) with over 150 participating churches/temples, the nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership (SWP), the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute (CTI), and the NMU EK Student Team.Meanwhile, the next day Thurs., April 23, several EarthKeeper faith leaders spoke about the project and protecting the environment to students at Northern Michigan University.It was the final of numerous "Sacred Planet" events on campus sponsored by the NMU EarthKeeper (NMU EK) Student Team.NMU EK leaders Ben Sheelk, speaking above, and Sarah Swanson joined faith leaders for the Earth Day tree blessing, coordinated the Sacred Planet series, and the entire team will help plant the 12,000 trees.Singing, drums and guitar music were a big part of the final Sacred Planet lecture series at NMU.Those speaking at NMU were Dr. Michael Grossman of Jewish Temple Beth Sholom in Ishpeming; Rev. Tesshin Paul Lehmberg, head priest of the Zen Buddhist temple Lake Superior Zendo; Catholic EarthKeeper Kyra Fillmore, the project faith community communications coordinator; and Dr. Rodney H. Clarken, chair of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Marquette. (Above photos by Greg Peterson)The faith leaders spoke to members of the Marquette media inside the Presque isle Pavilion just prior to the tree blessing ceremony.All humans "are called to be steward's of God's creation - and no matter what faith tradition we come from that responsibility lies with us human creatures," said Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette Bishop Alexander K. Sample.Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette Bishop Alexander K. Sample speaks to reporters prior to the tree blessing on Earth Day 2009. (Photo by Greg Peterson)"Those of us endowed with intelligence and with the ability to choose good and avoid evil," said Bishop Sample, who oversees 94 U.P. parishes and missions with 61,000 members.Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette Bishop Alexander K. Sample, pictured center in front of the tree, holds a blue bible he used during the blessing of the trees on Earth Day 2009. (Photo by Greg Peterson)Holding an open bible, Bishop Sample said the book of Revelations "speaks of the life-giving power of water and how the tree draws its life from the water."Bishop Sample said he grew up in the desert southwest and "didn't see a lot of water" or the "beauty of the forests and trees."Sample said "I truly thought I had entered paradise" when he moved with his family to the Upper Peninsula at the age of 17.Northern Great Lakes Synod Lutheran Bishop Thomas A. Skrenes of Marquette speaks to the media, above, on Earth Day 2009 and a short time later leads a blessing outside, below, for the first of 12,000 trees that the interfaith EarthKeepers will plant across northern Michigan on May 3. (Photos by Greg Peterson)"This whole movement has focused on how the faith communities can work together to preserve this great gift that we have here in the Upper Peninsula - this great watershed and it's wonderful combination of lakes and streams - and forests everywhere," said Northern Great Lakes Synod Lutheran Bishop Thomas A. Skrenes."Trees cover the earth and trees are part of healing the earth," said Skrenes, the head of 94 U.P. Lutheran congregations with 40,000 members.The Earth Keeper's ten faith communities have "various ways of doing things and looking at life" but "come together for this important task," said United Methodist Church (UMC) Marquette District Superintendent Grant R. Lobb.United Methodist Church (UMC) Marquette District Superintendent Grant R. Lobb told the media that the EarthKeeper Tree Project will be planting thousands of gifts for the next generation. (Photos by Greg Peterson) "We are glad to be part of EarthKeepers," said Lobb, whose district has 8,372 parishioners and 60 northern Michigan congregations."Planting a tree is a gift for the next generation and the generation beyond that," Lobb said. "We are going to be giving thousands of gifts for the generations to come."Reverend Tesshin Paul Lehmberg, the EarthKeeper Implementation Team co-chair, is pictured above talking about the environment and the Zen Buddhist faith.The head priest for the Lake Superior Zendo temple in Marquette, Lehmberg is pictured below adding soil to the base of the tree, and blessing the tree with folded hands. (Photos by Greg Peterson) The head priest for Lake Superior Zendo, a Marquette Zen Buddhist Temple, said "the trees - in effect - will be planting us.""We consider ourselfs very fortunate to be participating with EarthKeepers - if we are going to accomplish anything we (all faiths) need to come together," said Reverend Tesshin Paul Lehmberg, EarthKeeper Implementation Team co-chair.Baha'is believe that "nature is to be respected and protected as a divine trust for which we all answerable," said Dr. Rodney H. Clarken, chair of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Marquette."How great it is to be in this beautiful community of Marquette in these very beautiful surroundings" and "celebrate together with our friends, colleagues and our co-religionists in our various faiths traditions" while "saving and celebrating of God's creation," Clarken said.There are about 40 Bah

Earth Keeper Earth Day 2009 #2 Faith Leaders Prepare To Plant...

Added 04/25/09
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Earth Keeper Earth Day 2009 #2 Faith Leaders Prepare To Plant 12 000 Trees Across U P

[LESS INFO] 0 VIEWS | ADDED 00:43:09 04/25/09
Earth Day 2009 & The interfaith Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper Tree Project: Faith leaders bless and plant the first of 12,000 trees across the Upper PeninsulaThe Earth Day 2009 interfaith EarthKeeper Tree Project "Blessing of the Trees" ceremony was held next to the pavillion at Presque Isle, a popular Marquette, Michigan nature area - that is surrounded on three sides by Lake Superior. Faith leaders blessed a three-foot native species white spruce - the first of 12,000 trees to be planted across the Upper Peninsula on May 9 at over 100 churches and temples. (Photo by Greg Peterson)On Earth Day 2009 near the shores of Lake Superior, northern Michigan bishops and other faith leaders explain the connection between religion and protecting the environment to Marquette reporters including from two TV stations - WBUP/WBKP TV 5&10 and WLUC TV-6 - and two newspapers - the Mining Journal in Marquette and the U.P. Catholic. (Photo by Greg Peterson)(Marquette, Michigan) - Despite a major snowstorm a day earlier, bishops and leaders from northern Michigan's largest faith communities planted the first of 12,000 trees during an Earth Day ceremony on the shores of Lake Superior.Standing on a hillside surrounded by huge pine trees two bishops and several other faith leaders blessed a three-foot native species white spruce tree and took turns putting shovels full of dirt into the hole.With a cold wind blowing and icy waves of Lake Superior crashing in the background, the Earth Day 2009 late afternoon blessing of the trees ceremony was held on Presque Isle - that is surrounded on three sides by the largest freshwater lake on the planet.The storm dumped up to 20 inches of snow in parts of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, however several weeks of mild weather ensured the ground was not frozen.Anticipating the cold April weather, organizers earlier decided to plant the rest of the trees on Sunday, May 3 when the weather is more appropriate for planting the 12,000 12-to-16-inch seedlings at numerous locations across northern Michigan including 100 churches and temples.Superior Watershed Project Executive Director Carl Lindquist explain how his nonprofit organizations has handled some of the technical aspects of the many EarthKeeper projects since 2004. The EarthKeeper Initiative co-founder, Lindquist said EarthKeeping ideas are spreading to other communities. (Photo by Greg Peterson) The concept of "EarthKeeping goes beyond the Upper Peninsula" because throughout the Great Lakes states "we're having a ripple effect" as people and groups "are replicating the work that the EarthKeepers have done here," said Carl Lindquist, SWP executive director. "They are patterning their events after some of the successful programs we have had here."Leaders from northern Michigan's largest faith communities gathered in the Presque Isle Pavillion to speak to those gathered for the Earth Day 2009 event.EarthKeeper Initiative co-founder Rev. Jon Magnuson, the NMU Lutheran Campus Ministry pastor, talks about the effectiveness of faith communities to turn out volunteers for environment projects (Photo by Greg Peterson) "This is very much a marvelous moment in the life of our work together as faith communities," said Rev. Jon Magnuson, CTI executive director and EarthKeeper Initiative co-founder."This is another step in our interfaith work," Magnuson said. "We have found an expression of our faith in very, very hands-on work like this the EarthKeeping Tree Project."The EarthKeeper team includes ten faith traditions (Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Baha'i, Jewish, Zen Buddist, Quakers) with over 150 participating churches/temples, the nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership (SWP), the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute (CTI), and the NMU EK Student Team.Meanwhile, the next day Thurs., April 23, several EarthKeeper faith leaders spoke about the project and protecting the environment to students at Northern Michigan University.It was the final of numerous "Sacred Planet" events on campus sponsored by the NMU EarthKeeper (NMU EK) Student Team.NMU EK leaders Ben Sheelk, speaking above, and Sarah Swanson joined faith leaders for the Earth Day tree blessing, coordinated the Sacred Planet series, and the entire team will help plant the 12,000 trees.Singing, drums and guitar music were a big part of the final Sacred Planet lecture series at NMU.Those speaking at NMU were Dr. Michael Grossman of Jewish Temple Beth Sholom in Ishpeming; Rev. Tesshin Paul Lehmberg, head priest of the Zen Buddhist temple Lake Superior Zendo; Catholic EarthKeeper Kyra Fillmore, the project faith community communications coordinator; and Dr. Rodney H. Clarken, chair of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Marquette. (Above photos by Greg Peterson)The faith leaders spoke to members of the Marquette media inside the Presque isle Pavillion just prior to the tree blessing ceremony.All humans "are called to be steward's of God's creation - and no matter what faith tradition we come from that responsibility lies with us human creatures," said Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette Bishop Alexander K. Sample.Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette Bishop Alexander K. Sample speaks to reporters prior to the tree blessing on Earth Day 2009. (Photo by Greg Peterson)"Those of us endowed with intelligence and with the ability to choose good and avoid evil," said Bishop Sample, who oversees 94 U.P. parishes and missions with 61,000 members.Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette Bishop Alexander K. Sample, pictured center in front of the tree, holds a blue bible he used during the blessing of the trees on Earth Day 2009. (Photo by Greg Peterson)Holding an open bible, Bishop Sample said the book of Revelations "speaks of the life-giving power of water and how the tree draws its life from the water."Bishop Sample said he grew up in the desert southwest and "didn't see a lot of water" or the "beauty of the forests and trees."Sample said "I truly thought I had entered paradise" when he moved with his family to the Upper Peninsula at the age of 17.Northern Great Lakes Synod Lutheran Bishop Thomas A. Skrenes of Marquette speaks to the media, above, on Earth Day 2009 and a short time later leads a blessing outside, below, for the first of 12,000 trees that the interfaith EarthKeepers will plant across northern Michigan on May 3. (Photos by Greg Peterson)"This whole movement has focused on how the faith communities can work together to preserve this great gift that we have here in the Upper Peninsula - this great watershed and it's wonderful combination of lakes and streams - and forests everywhere," said Northern Great Lakes Synod Lutheran Bishop Thomas A. Skrenes."Trees cover the earth and trees are part of healing the earth," said Skrenes, the head of 94 U.P. Lutheran congregations with 40,000 members.The Earth Keeper's ten faith communities have "various ways of doing things and looking at life" but "come together for this important task," said United Methodist Church (UMC) Marquette District Superintendent Grant R. Lobb.United Methodist Church (UMC) Marquette District Superintendent Grant R. Lobb told the media that the EarthKeeper Tree Project will be planting thousands of gifts for the next generation. (Photos by Greg Peterson) "We are glad to be part of EarthKeepers," said Lobb, whose district has 8,372 parishioners and 60 northern Michigan congregations."Planting a tree is a gift for the next generation and the generation beyond that," Lobb said. "We are going to be giving thousands of gifts for the generations to come."Reverend Tesshin Paul Lehmberg, the EarthKeeper Implementation Team co-chair, is pictured above talking about the environment and the Zen Buddhist faith.The head priest for the Lake Superior Zendo temple in Marquette, Lehmberg is pictured below adding soil to the base of the tree, and blessing the tree with folded hands. (Photos by Greg Peterson) The head priest for Lake Superior Zendo, a Marquette Zen Buddhist Temple, said "the trees - in effect - will be planting us.""We consider ourselfs very fortunate to be participating with EarthKeepers - if we are going to accomplish anything we (all faiths) need to come together," said Reverend Tesshin Paul Lehmberg, EarthKeeper Implementation Team co-chair.Baha'is believe that "nature is to be respected and protected as a divine trust for which we all answerable," said Dr. Rodney H. Clarken, chair of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Marquette."How great it is to be in this beautiful community of Marquette in these very beautiful surroundings" and "celebrate together with our friends, colleagues and our co-religionists in our various faiths traditions" while "saving and celebrating of God's creation," Clarken said.There are about 40 Bah

Earth Keeper Earth Day 2009 #1 Northern Michigan Faith Leader...

Added 04/24/09
2 Views

Earth Keeper Earth Day 2009 #1 Northern Michigan Faith Leaders Bless Plant First Of 12 000 Trees

[LESS INFO] 2 VIEWS | ADDED 23:37:47 04/24/09
Earth Day 2009 & The interfaith Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper Tree Project: Faith leaders bless and plant the first of 12,000 trees across the Upper PeninsulaThe Earth Day 2009 interfaith EarthKeeper Tree Project "Blessing of the Trees" ceremony was held next to the pavillion at Presque Isle, a popular Marquette, Michigan nature area - that is surrounded on three sides by Lake Superior. Faith leaders blessed a three-foot native species white spruce - the first of 12,000 trees to be planted across the Upper Peninsula on May 9 at over 100 churches and temples. (Photo by Greg Peterson)On Earth Day 2009 near the shores of Lake Superior, northern Michigan bishops and other faith leaders explain the connection between religion and protecting the environment to Marquette reporters including from two TV stations - WBUP/WBKP TV 5&10 and WLUC TV-6 - and two newspapers - the Mining Journal in Marquette and the U.P. Catholic. (Photo by Greg Peterson)(Marquette, Michigan) - Despite a major snowstorm a day earlier, bishops and leaders from northern Michigan's largest faith communities planted the first of 12,000 trees during an Earth Day ceremony on the shores of Lake Superior.Standing on a hillside surrounded by huge pine trees two bishops and several other faith leaders blessed a three-foot native species white spruce tree and took turns putting shovels full of dirt into the hole.With a cold wind blowing and icy waves of Lake Superior crashing in the background, the Earth Day 2009 late afternoon blessing of the trees ceremony was held on Presque Isle - that is surrounded on three sides by the largest freshwater lake on the planet.The storm dumped up to 20 inches of snow in parts of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, however several weeks of mild weather ensured the ground was not frozen.Anticipating the cold April weather, organizers earlier decided to plant the rest of the trees on Sunday, May 3 when the weather is more appropriate for planting the 12,000 12-to-16-inch seedlings at numerous locations across northern Michigan including 100 churches and temples.Superior Watershed Project Executive Director Carl Lindquist explain how his nonprofit organizations has handled some of the technical aspects of the many EarthKeeper projects since 2004. The EarthKeeper Initiative co-founder, Lindquist said EarthKeeping ideas are spreading to other communities. (Photo by Greg Peterson) The concept of "EarthKeeping goes beyond the Upper Peninsula" because throughout the Great Lakes states "we're having a ripple effect" as people and groups "are replicating the work that the EarthKeepers have done here," said Carl Lindquist, SWP executive director. "They are patterning their events after some of the successful programs we have had here."Leaders from northern Michigan's largest faith communities gathered in the Presque Isle Pavillion to speak to those gathered for the Earth Day 2009 event.EarthKeeper Initiative co-founder Rev. Jon Magnuson, the NMU Lutheran Campus Ministry pastor, talks about the effectiveness of faith communities to turn out volunteers for environment projects (Photo by Greg Peterson) "This is very much a marvelous moment in the life of our work together as faith communities," said Rev. Jon Magnuson, CTI executive director and EarthKeeper Initiative co-founder."This is another step in our interfaith work," Magnuson said. "We have found an expression of our faith in very, very hands-on work like this the EarthKeeping Tree Project."The EarthKeeper team includes ten faith traditions (Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Baha'i, Jewish, Zen Buddist, Quakers) with over 150 participating churches/temples, the nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership (SWP), the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute (CTI), and the NMU EK Student Team.Meanwhile, the next day Thurs., April 23, several EarthKeeper faith leaders spoke about the project and protecting the environment to students at Northern Michigan University.It was the final of numerous "Sacred Planet" events on campus sponsored by the NMU EarthKeeper (NMU EK) Student Team.NMU EK leaders Ben Sheelk, speaking above, and Sarah Swanson joined faith leaders for the Earth Day tree blessing, coordinated the Sacred Planet series, and the entire team will help plant the 12,000 trees.Singing, drums and guitar music were a big part of the final Sacred Planet lecture series at NMU.Those speaking at NMU were Dr. Michael Grossman of Jewish Temple Beth Sholom in Ishpeming; Rev. Tesshin Paul Lehmberg, head priest of the Zen Buddhist temple Lake Superior Zendo; Catholic EarthKeeper Kyra Fillmore, the project faith community communications coordinator; and Dr. Rodney H. Clarken, chair of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Marquette. (Above photos by Greg Peterson)The faith leaders spoke to members of the Marquette media inside the Presque isle Pavillion just prior to the tree blessing ceremony.All humans "are called to be steward's of God's creation - and no matter what faith tradition we come from that responsibility lies with us human creatures," said Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette Bishop Alexander K. Sample.Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette Bishop Alexander K. Sample speaks to reporters prior to the tree blessing on Earth Day 2009. (Photo by Greg Peterson)"Those of us endowed with intelligence and with the ability to choose good and avoid evil," said Bishop Sample, who oversees 94 U.P. parishes and missions with 61,000 members.Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette Bishop Alexander K. Sample, pictured center in front of the tree, holds a blue bible he used during the blessing of the trees on Earth Day 2009. (Photo by Greg Peterson)Holding an open bible, Bishop Sample said the book of Revelations "speaks of the life-giving power of water and how the tree draws its life from the water."Bishop Sample said he grew up in the desert southwest and "didn't see a lot of water" or the "beauty of the forests and trees."Sample said "I truly thought I had entered paradise" when he moved with his family to the Upper Peninsula at the age of 17.Northern Great Lakes Synod Lutheran Bishop Thomas A. Skrenes of Marquette speaks to the media, above, on Earth Day 2009 and a short time later leads a blessing outside, below, for the first of 12,000 trees that the interfaith EarthKeepers will plant across northern Michigan on May 3. (Photos by Greg Peterson)"This whole movement has focused on how the faith communities can work together to preserve this great gift that we have here in the Upper Peninsula - this great watershed and it's wonderful combination of lakes and streams - and forests everywhere," said Northern Great Lakes Synod Lutheran Bishop Thomas A. Skrenes."Trees cover the earth and trees are part of healing the earth," said Skrenes, the head of 94 U.P. Lutheran congregations with 40,000 members.The Earth Keeper's ten faith communities have "various ways of doing things and looking at life" but "come together for this important task," said United Methodist Church (UMC) Marquette District Superintendent Grant R. Lobb.United Methodist Church (UMC) Marquette District Superintendent Grant R. Lobb told the media that the EarthKeeper Tree Project will be planting thousands of gifts for the next generation. (Photos by Greg Peterson) "We are glad to be part of EarthKeepers," said Lobb, whose district has 8,372 parishioners and 60 northern Michigan congregations."Planting a tree is a gift for the next generation and the generation beyond that," Lobb said. "We are going to be giving thousands of gifts for the generations to come."Reverend Tesshin Paul Lehmberg, the EarthKeeper Implementation Team co-chair, is pictured above talking about the environment and the Zen Buddhist faith.The head priest for the Lake Superior Zendo temple in Marquette, Lehmberg is pictured below adding soil to the base of the tree, and blessing the tree with folded hands. (Photos by Greg Peterson) The head priest for Lake Superior Zendo, a Marquette Zen Buddhist Temple, said "the trees - in effect - will be planting us.""We consider ourselfs very fortunate to be participating with EarthKeepers - if we are going to accomplish anything we (all faiths) need to come together," said Reverend Tesshin Paul Lehmberg, EarthKeeper Implementation Team co-chair.Baha'is believe that "nature is to be respected and protected as a divine trust for which we all answerable," said Dr. Rodney H. Clarken, chair of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Marquette."How great it is to be in this beautiful community of Marquette in these very beautiful surroundings" and "celebrate together with our friends, colleagues and our co-religionists in our various faiths traditions" while "saving and celebrating of God's creation," Clarken said.There are about 40 Bah

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