There will be a bike ride on Sunday Sept. 5, 1:00 p.m. in memory of Colin Hanson, a West Hill member who died in a car accident on Sep 3, 2009. Colin was an avid outdoorsman and cyclist. All are invited for this memorial ride.
Over the past six weeks there has been a great deal of discussion about our Food Awareness Initiative. Earlier in the year you might have read several articles in the SaltShaker, perhaps you saw the brochure that was distributed at church last month, you may even have participated in the Q&A session following a Sunday morning service. All of these have prompted feedback. We wanted you to know that the board appreciates your input and takes it seriously. We've met several times to reflect on what we have heard. Time is a precious commodity. All of the board members are volunteers and finding time to engage in these types of discussions is never easy. However we are committed to finding the direction that best reflects the values and the needs of this congregation. So, please stay engaged in this dialogue as we attempt to find this path.
As a signatory on the Earth Charter, we support the principles and aims it will be presenting at the Climate Change conference in Copenhagen in a few weeks. ECI brings together elements of climate change challenges that are often missed when discussions take place. It isn't just science that will save the planet. Economics and justice play a huge role in creating a sustainable world.
If you'd like to participate in the youtube competition and show your support for the Earth Charter, click on this link, then "vote" in the top band across the video. When option boxes appear to the right, type ecinternational in the lower one. They have suggested we vote for the "Club of Rome" video by clicking on the thumbs up button, though you really should make sure you watch the other one, too. (Nothing happens to show you've voted but it's safer not to vote twice and potentially get ECI disqualified.)
So, we've signed the Earth Charter, we've committed ourselves to live in right relationship with the planet, we're cutting back on our consumption and, soon, entering into a conversation about responsible, humanitarian food choices. But still, the argument rages between those who believe global warming is a looming crisis and those who believe it's as likely to destroy us as the Y2K bug; that is, it's not. Here, in a video posted 2 full years ago, is a simple answer to that question. And it all comes down to a simple gamble.
Again, thanks to Scott Campbell for forwarding this link.
The Outreach Committee is supporting the call for a Nuclear Cost Responsibility Act that will prevent nuclear cost overruns from being passed on to taxpayers. To find out more information and to sign the petition please go to www.OntarioGreenFuture.ca.
There was a special screening on March 22/09 of the documentary "Blue Gold World Water Wars" at U of T to celebrate World Water Day. An article appeared in The Toronto Star - "Film examines growing conflict over water". Hopefully, this film will appear soon in local theatres and be available to a much larger audience.
