Headlines | Church News | Classifieds | This Week | ConnTact | Video | Blogs | Disaster Response | Archive | Submissions

Environmental Rally, Conference Coming to Connecticut

by Rev. Gordon Bates

HARTFORD (03/27/2007) -- The Connecticut Conference's Environmental Ministry Team encourages local church members to participate in two upcoming major events in the state, a "Step It Up" rally in Hartford's Bushnell Park on April 14 to advocate for environmental stewardship, and a major conference on June 21 at Immanuel Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, in Hartford.

Step It Up Congress! Cut Carbon 80% by 2050

The April 14 rally is part of the StepItUp2007 national campaign initiated by Vermont resident Bill McKibben and its National Day for Climate Action. The Hartford event has been organized by a wide coalition of students, civic and religious leaders, environmental activists, and businesses, according to Environmental Ministry Team leader the Rev. Gordon Bates.

The rally will run from noon until 4:00 pm, and will be a celebration and a picnic. The schedule will include music and dance, recycled art activities for the kids, and short inspired words from political leaders and others who come to share their Green Dream for Hartford.ÊAttendees should bring or plan to purchase their own lunch.

In addition to the Hartford Rally, the StepItUp2007.org web site lists 21 other events for April 14 around the state, including Greenwich, Torrington, New Haven, New London, and Granby.

For more information, write the Rev. Gordon Bates at gsbates34@yahoo.com.

Care of the Earth Conference June 21

Immanuel Congregational Church UCC in Hartford will host a day-long conference on the environment on the day before General Synod, featuring Jerome Ringo, Executive Director of the National Wildlife Federation and President of the Apollo Alliance, a coalition of labor, environmental, business and civic rights leaders whose aim is to foster American independence from foreign oil.

"The UCC--Toward a National Environmental Focus," a new report, will be released at the conference, which is sponsored by the UCC national Task Force on the Environment and Energy and the Office of Justice and Witness Ministries. The $25.00 registration fee includes all speakers and lunch.

For more information, write the Rev. Gordon Bates at gsbates34@yahoo.com.