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16:42:14 05/13/09
Over 12 000 Trees Planted Across Northern Michigan In Early May 2009 By U P Earth Keepers
[LESS INFO] 3 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
3 Views
18:54:33 04/29/09
Earth Keeper Faith Leaders Bless First Of 12 000 Trees To Be Planted May 3
[LESS INFO] 3 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
0 Views
00:43:09 04/25/09
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
2 Views
23:37:47 04/24/09
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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04:15:11 04/21/09
Wbup Tv Ugn News Mi Earth Keepers To Plant 12 000 Trees For Earth Day 2009
[LESS INFO] 1 VIEWS | ADDED 04:15:11 04/21/09
The WBUP/WPKP Channel 5 & 10 news department in Marquette, Michigan helped promote the latest interfaith Earth Keepers Project.The Upper Great Lakes News (UGN) Network did a story on Upper Peninsula Earth Keepers who will plant 12,000 trees across northern Michigan in honor of Earth Day 2009.The story includes an interview with Gail Griffith, EarthKeeper Implementation Team co-chair.The Earth Keepers thank reporter Lindsey Cramer and the rest of the UGN Team.WBUP/WBKP TV - UGNWBUP/WBKP TV on WikipediaLindsey Cramer Lindsey at lscbc.com Channel 10 WBUP-TV (906)-225-5700Planting 12,000 Trees: Interfaith Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper team to plant a forest for Earth Day 2009(Marquette, Michigan) - The Upper Peninsula interfaith EarthKeepers will create the equivalent of a forest for Earth Day 2009 as 12,000 trees are planted by about 100 churches and temples across northern Michigan.The public is invited to an Earth Day 2009 blessing of the trees ceremony at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22 next to the Presque Isle pavilion. The bishops and other leaders from ten faith traditions will plant the first of 12,000 12 to 16 inch White Spruce and Red Pine trees.Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain (Bah
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02:48:34 04/21/09
Wkqs Radio U P Earth Keepers To Plant 12 000 Trees Across Northern Michigan For Earth Day 2009
[LESS INFO] 6 VIEWS | ADDED 02:48:34 04/21/09
Upper Peninsula EarthKeepers discuss the planting of 12,000 trees across northern Michigan for Earth Day 2009 during live interview on WKQS Radio in Marquette, Michigan with News Director Walt LindalaLive radio interview on WKQS in Marquette at 7:30 a.m. on Monday April 20, 2009News Director and WKQS Sunny 102 morning drive co-host Walt Lindala interviewed Natasha Koss with the Superior Watershed Partnership and Catholic EarthKeeper Kyra Fillmore, EarthKeeper communications coordinator for faith communities, about the EarthKeeper Tree Project coming up in May to plant 12,000 trees around the Upper Peninsula.WKQS FM Sunny 102 Mark and Walt in the Moning Planting 12,000 Trees: Interfaith Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper team to plant a forest for Earth Day 2009(Marquette, Michigan) - The Upper Peninsula interfaith EarthKeepers will create the equivalent of a forest for Earth Day 2009 as 12,000 trees are planted by about 100 churches and temples across northern Michigan.The public is invited to an Earth Day 2009 blessing of the trees ceremony at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22 next to the Presque Isle pavilion. The bishops and other leaders from ten faith traditions will plant the first of 12,000 12 to 16 inch White Spruce and Red Pine trees.Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain (Bah
