by steve.olshevski | Apr 25, 2021 | Uncategorized
The work of the Carbon Busters—as Keith Fox has dubbed us—is about continuous learning. We share writings on climate science, then meet by Zoom to discuss them. With a growing sense of urgency, we’re developing emission-reduction proposals to present to our community.
We have been looking at groundskeeping, insulation, electricity and heating, travel, and food, following a greenhouse gas emissions questionnaire developed by Cool Congregations. We have recently been focused on our travel to Meeting and food. As for travel, our striving for “carbon-neutrality” is much advanced by Friends’ adoption of Zoom for Meeting for Worship plus committee and social gatherings. Also, Zoom includes Friends from across the planet! A hybrid future, combining physical presence and Zoom, offers both climate and inclusivity advantages.
As for food, we’re examining how shifting from animal-based to plant-based protein supports the climate, rainforests and other habitat, human health…and food sovereignty in areas of the world where farmers face the impacts of big, international grain and soymeal companies. On the level of personal impact, divestment from animal products has more climate-preserving power than divestment from fossil fuels. Planning a plant-based fellowship hour is as vital as reducing our annual mileage or easing our heating requirements.
Unlike the other pieces of the emissions pie, diet encompasses our relationship with other feeling beings. Notably, the lives of John Woolman and Benjamin Lay stood for dismantling both human slavery and the exploitation of animals. Fast-forward to today, when social justice, climate, and extinction pose simultaneous challenges. We needn’t rank them by priority to spot a deep ethical question underlying them. Can human beings interrogate our habit of seizing the upper hand in our relationship with other people, other beings, and our Earth? In April—Earth Month—we’ve been examining these intersections and we will be bringing these queries to our May 23rd forum.
by steve.olshevski | Apr 23, 2021 | Past Events
The members of Radnor Meeting adopted the following minute in April 2021:
“A minute of concern over the events of January 6th and the increasing culture of violence in our country.” As Friends, it is our understanding that we are not meant to conform to the ways of the world but to listen attentively and act in obedience to the Light Within. At this time, we are called to bear witness to our commitment to the Quaker testimonies of peace and equality. It is our deeply held belief that we are all equal in the eyes of God. We embrace the practice of mutual respect and caring for the welfare of all humanity, and when we have differences, we address them peacefully, in a spirit of love and understanding. Conversely, we stand resolute against violence in all of its forms including racial and economic injustice. Violence, hate, and bigotry, regardless of the cause or rationale, should have no home in our hearts or in our society. Let us be guided in our actions by love of one another and in our shared belief that there is that of God in every person. In direct response to our concern regarding the growing culture of violence and injustice, we as Quakers are led to speak truth to power and to bear witness through our actions that the way forward is through an unwavering commitment to peace, equality, and the power of love to transform.
by steve.olshevski | Mar 28, 2021 | Past Events
The group to help Radnor Meeting be carbon net neutral has been meeting since the beginning of the year to develop strategies and plans to eliminate
or offset the greenhouse gases our meeting adds to the atmosphere. We are currently talking about the depth and
breadth of the problem and why we are led by the necessity to work together to find solutions at our
personal, community, and national levels.
We are assessing our carbon impact by evaluating not just the fossil fuels we use to maintain our
buildings and grounds, but also the fuel we use to drive to and from our Meeting House and the food we
eat while there. We are exploring ways to reduce waste and efficiently reduce consumption where
possible. To this end, the property committee has had a specialist seal cracks and gaps in the
meetinghouse walls, windows and doors to reduce the electricity and natural gas we consume to heat and
cool our building.
On March 21, we presented a forum as an opportunity to learn more about climate change and what we
are doing at Radnor. More important, we wanted to provide an opportunity for all of us to discuss how
we are led by our Quaker values, as embodied by the SPICES testimonies, to take personal and
community action to stop climate change. We will next focus on the actions we are
taking and what else we could be doing to find solutions at our personal, community, and
national levels.
by steve.olshevski | Mar 28, 2021 | Past Events
Peace and Social Concerns Committee asks you to please join an interfaith gun violence prevention procession in Wayne on April 11 starting at 3:30 at Wayne United Methodist Church. The purpose of the event is both to honor those lost in gun murders and to demand stronger and more effective gun laws and regulations. We’ll walk less than a mile visiting four churches. The program will end back at Wayne Methodist United approximately 1 1/2 hours later. This program will be held under the auspices of the Heeding God’s Call to End Gun Violence organization, and participating churches include Wayne United Methodist, Wayne Central Baptist, Wayne Presbytarian and St. Mary’s Episcopal. The program will include testimony, music and prayer. A memorial to the 447 lost will be represented by a tee shirt display. There will be an opportunity for letter writing to legislators in support of sensible gun policy. Feel free to bring a sign: “No more gun deaths,” “End gun violence,” “Sensible gun laws” or along those lines.
by steve.olshevski | Mar 28, 2021 | Past Events
May 16, at rise of Meeting
Sponsored by Peace & Social Concerns
Breck Taylor, PhD, professor of Criminal Justice, Temple University will lead us in a discussion about
policing in the United States. He will review the historical context and help us understand the roots of the
current crisis. We will explore the ways as Quakers and citizens that we can act as agents of change.
