Faith in the Public Square

The New York State Council of Churches is promoting local participation in an international program called “Ring the Bells for Climate Justice.” At 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 30, churches across the United States will be ringing their bells for 30 minutes in support of the Climate Gathering in Glasgow, Scotland. According to the announcement, “Church bells have traditionally been used as warnings and this time the danger to humanity couldn't be greater. Let our bells be our voice for climate justice!”   The gathering, known as COP 26, is the 26 th  meeting of the Conference of Parties. This UN global warming conference will address the threat of climate change.   Among the local churches that are participating are First United Methodist of East Greenbush, First Reformed Schenectady, Presbyterian-New England Congregational Church in Saratoga Springs, and Messiah Lutheran Church in Rotterdam.    For more information and to let the Council know that your c...

 Members of local religious groups are gathering at the Rip Van Winkle Bridge in Hudson on Sunday, October 17 to promote climate justice. The event is part of an international project called Faiths 4 Climate Justice . According to a news release from the organizers, “thousands of people of faith with support from over 200 high-level faith leaders are calling on political and financial leaders to meet a series of ambitious climate demands that get at the heart of the problem.” Those demands include an end to new fossil fuel projects and tropical deforestation; universal access to renewable energy; policies creating green jobs and a just transition for impacted workers and communities; support for those forced to migrate due to climate impacts; and reparations from the countries and industries responsible for the lion’s share of the problem.   The local event is sponsored by GreenFaith and the Buddhist Action Network. Participants are asked to park on either the of the bridge at...