CERTs 2009 | Congregations Leading the Way
Session Audio
Sean Gosiewski, Program Director, Alliance for Sustainability: The Alliance for Sustainability supports projects that are ecologically sound, economically viable, socially just and humane. We bring together citizen volunteers from congregations, schools, service clubs and neighborhoods to create sustainable communities.
Patricia Benson, Creation Care Coordinator, Lutheran Coalition for Public Policy: Patricia Benson joins the Lutheran Coalition for Public Policy in Minnesota in the role of Creation Care Coordinator. LCPPM’s summer 2008 began with a series of five LENS events with representatives from 176 congregations. Together we began a journey with the training of nearly 400 people to work together as creation care teams at the local level. Benson joins LCPPM to offer supportive networking, training and resources as the journey progresses from a focus on individual work to reduce our carbon footprint, team work as we demonstrate our commitment to live out ELCA social statements throughout congregational activities, and finally to legislative advocacy as we work to realign our social structures within an just framework. During a quarter century history of advocacy in regard to social justice issues, Benson grew to recognize the foundational nature of environmental justice and focused her energy on education and reform efforts. As a teacher incorporating social teaching on environment into the science curriculum of her school or as a volunteer working with social justice groups through church and civic connections, Pat has consistently led others through word and action to identify the link between environmental degradation and current social issues.
Clean Energy Resource Teams