Mennonite Values and Indigenous Knowledge Informed Responses to Environmental Crises
Led by the Climate Justice Committee
Dates: April 11-May 23 / Sundays at 9:30 AM
Come explore how our Mennonite values relate to challenges posed by environmental degradation and climate change. In the words of Carol Rose of the Tucson Mennonite Church, “We won’t get out of this climate crisis with the same thinking that got us into it.”
We will use Robin Wall-Kimmerer’s book “Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge and the teachings of plants” (view at Powells.com here) as a resource for considering how our Mennonite values (including stewardship for the Earth, humility, gratitude, and simplicity) can shape our response to the unfolding challenges. She offers a host of stories with a dual perspective of indigenous knowledge and scientific learning to bring to light how our relationship with nature matters as we search for wisdom in these
critical times. This book has been mentioned more than any other book during our Justice Committee’s discussions over the past year, so it seems fitting to share it with others. We have been challenged by the thought-provoking wisdom in Robin’s stories illustrating the kinship of humans and nature, taking the time to be grateful for the gifts the Earth offers, the ethic of the “honorable harvest,” showing respect, and sharing gifts versus owning resources. It inspires us to choose a more informed pathway to climate response by
reorienting our perspectives to the underlying causes.
We hope you will read the book, if you haven’t already, but we will start each class with a short video clip of a presentation by Robin Wall-Kimmerer, (see below) so reading the book is not required. We will begin on April 11 and continue weekly through May 23. Ken Pitts will lead the class with supporting help from PMC’s Justice Committee members Barry Frisby, David Garen, Andrew Glick, Heidi Noordijk, and Rod Stafford. This will be a discussion and participation driven class and we look forward to having you add your story and perspective to the conversation.
Led by the Climate Justice Committee
Dates: April 11-May 23 / Sundays at 9:30 AM
Come explore how our Mennonite values relate to challenges posed by environmental degradation and climate change. In the words of Carol Rose of the Tucson Mennonite Church, “We won’t get out of this climate crisis with the same thinking that got us into it.”
We will use Robin Wall-Kimmerer’s book “Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge and the teachings of plants” (view at Powells.com here) as a resource for considering how our Mennonite values (including stewardship for the Earth, humility, gratitude, and simplicity) can shape our response to the unfolding challenges. She offers a host of stories with a dual perspective of indigenous knowledge and scientific learning to bring to light how our relationship with nature matters as we search for wisdom in these
critical times. This book has been mentioned more than any other book during our Justice Committee’s discussions over the past year, so it seems fitting to share it with others. We have been challenged by the thought-provoking wisdom in Robin’s stories illustrating the kinship of humans and nature, taking the time to be grateful for the gifts the Earth offers, the ethic of the “honorable harvest,” showing respect, and sharing gifts versus owning resources. It inspires us to choose a more informed pathway to climate response by
reorienting our perspectives to the underlying causes.
We hope you will read the book, if you haven’t already, but we will start each class with a short video clip of a presentation by Robin Wall-Kimmerer, (see below) so reading the book is not required. We will begin on April 11 and continue weekly through May 23. Ken Pitts will lead the class with supporting help from PMC’s Justice Committee members Barry Frisby, David Garen, Andrew Glick, Heidi Noordijk, and Rod Stafford. This will be a discussion and participation driven class and we look forward to having you add your story and perspective to the conversation.
How do we think both critically and faithfully about God, ourselves and the world around us?
What is Faith Formation?
Faith Formation at Portland Mennonite Church strives to form a bridge between our Christian faith and everyday lives. Our programs are intended to invite people of all ages to grow in faith. At PMC we are striving to be an Anabaptist community, together, with our children, by the grace of God, that is shaped by the life of Christ, that acts with the compassion of Christ, and worships in the name of Christ.
