March is roaring in with another bomb cyclone for the East Coast. There are many questions to be be resolved when it comes to understanding how climate change will impact our winters, but expecting the unexpected may become the new normal. Many of us are fortunate to withstand these storms without too much disruption to our lives, but as people of faith we are called to care for those much more vulnerable to these erratic weather events. Please read on to learn how you can get involved locally to act on climate change.
Energy Weatherization Training
Would you like to learn how to make your and others’ homes more comfortable while helping the environment and saving money on energy bills? If so, we hope you will attend an energy weatherization class provided by Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions and Arlington Energy Masters, co-sponsored by the Alfred Street Baptist Church “Go Green” Ministry. Modeled after the Master Gardeners program, you will receive comprehensive energy efficiency training and then volunteer at a variety of service projects that will provide opportunities for volunteers to hone their skills and develop their expertise so that they can comfortably and confidently serve the community. The class will teach how to perform simple upgrades to produce energy and water conservation, reducing our carbon footprint. In addition, the class will teach those who plan to install these upgrades in Rebuilding Together National Rebuilding Day and Rebuilding Together Express monthly projects. A donation of $20 per person to cover the cost of supplies is requested.
Lunch will be served!
Have questions? Please contact: Jill Barker (JMB@bettsandholt.com), Meg Mall (meg@faithforclimate.org) or Aisha Bigbee (abigbee@yahoo.com).
When: Saturday, March 17 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: Alfred Street Baptist Church; 301 Alfred Street, Alexandria, VA 22312
Register now!
Spring Advocacy
We often speak of the importance of simply showing up. Well, now more than ever we need you to do just that. What can you do? Fairfax County is preparing to approve its FY2019 budget. Most of the districts in the county will host budget hearings. Click here a schedule of the upcoming hearings and FACS’ talking points and register now! Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, April 10th at 4:00 p.m. for the full Board of Supervisor’s budget hearings. We need all of you present! What else can you do? Join us for meetings with your Fairfax County Board representative. Not on an advocacy team? No problem! You are welcome to join us at any time. Please contact us if interested.
Sign the petition in support of enacting a C-PACE ordinance for Fairfax County. Loudoun County recently enacted a C-PACE ordinance, following Arlington County.
C-PACE provides a critical mechanism for cash-strapped religious congregations to install energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water saving measures in their buildings. The benefit of C-PACE financing is that it provides much more favorable terms than are available in the absence of this structure. Religious institutions can receive 100% financing. Typically, the investments have an immediate positive cash flow because of the reduction in utility costs combined with the long-term nature of the financing (typically 15-20 years).
Show up and speak out for a carbon cap in Virginia!
During our January Community Council meeting we handed out comment postcards which speak out for an Executive Directive 11 rule that will reduce carbon pollution in the Commonwealth and incentivize clean energy.
Rev. Laura Martin of Rock Spring Congregational UCC will be delivering these messages in person on March 15th to the Department of Environmental Quality, during a public hearing in Woodbridge. Can you join her, and help ensure there is a strong faith presence?
Show up and let your DEQ know that you want climate action here in Virginia! The DEQ needs to hear public support from across the state to use its full authority to finalize the strongest possible safeguards to reduce carbon pollution from power plants, tackle climate change, and grow our clean energy economy.
When: Thursday, March 15th from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Where: Department of Environmental Quality, 13901 Crown Ct., Woodbridge
RSVP and share on Facebook here.
It’s not too late to get your faith community involved! Could you set up a station to collect comment postcards in your Northern Virginia congregation before the comment period closes on April 9th? Sign up for a package of postcards and all of the materials you need here.
Prep for the hearing on March 15 by attending this event: Virginia’s Pathway to Cut Carbon
WHEN: Tuesday, March 6; 7 PM (6:30 PM for snacks)
WHERE: Oakton Library, 10304 Lynnhaven Place, Oakton, VA
Virginia is moving forward to cub carbon pollution from our power plants! This is a big deal as we are the only southern state making progress in this way. We are not over the finish line yet. We’ll need everyone to show up to ensure that these new standards become a reality. We will be discussing what is needed for this to be an effective plan and how you can advocate and prepare people to make a strong public comment. Join us to learn more about this opportunity and how to put Virginia on the pathway to 100% clean energy.
CONTACT: For more information or to RSVP, click here.
SPONSOR: Sierra Club/Great Falls Group and FACS
Lenten calendars
Lent, which began February 14th, is a time when Christian communities repent, reflect, sacrifice, and listen for God. Using the Lenten Creation Care Calendar with you home congregation, as we partake in the daily readings and practices, we will grow closer to God and to Creation, and have deeper conversations about what it means to faifthfully respond to climate change as a church community. Download the calendar
Interested in a Spanish version? Click here!
Earth Day
This year Earth Day falls on a Sunday, April 22nd. We are calling on our members to take advantage of the opportunity to coordinate and participate in interfaith celebrations on Earth Day. In the upcoming month, FACS will share details about celebrations, and invite you to attend. If you are interested in partnering with a faith community outside your own and need help, please contact us!
‘An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power” Screening
Joins us for a free screening of “An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power”, Al Gore’s sequel to the 10-year anniversary of his first award-winning documentary “An Inconvenient Truth”. He reminds us what can happen when regular citizens take a stand. The film showcases people from all walks of life coming to work with Vice President Gore and other experts, learning key climate science and gaining the skills to advocate for climate solutions in their communities.
WHO: Unity of Fairfax Church & Unitarian-Universalist Congregation of Fairfax, partnering in their Earth Day 2018 programming. Loretta and Michael Rowe, graduates of Al Gore’s Climate Reality Training, will introduce the film and lead in a discussion following the showing. Refreshments will be provided.
WHY: If you’re ready to make a difference for our planet and the interconnected web of life – if you’re ready to act like your world depends on it – like Vice President Gore and the 12,000-plus Climate Reality Leaders in over 135 countries, you will learn how.
WHEN: Friday, April 20, 7:30 pm
WHERE: Unity of Fairfax Church, 7:30 pm, 2854 Hunter Mill Rd., Oakton, VA 22124
For more information, contact: lgrowe@verizon.net or ezkayak@gmail.com
In peace,
Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions
