It is hard to believe, but the end of the year is upon us! I want to thank everyone who contributed to our #GivingTuesday campaign this week. It was a tremendous success, and we reached our match goal of $5,000! Your support positions us to deepen our impact in 2018. If you missed out on Tuesday, our Fairfax to Zero Campaign is still running through the end of the year. I encourage you to please consider attending our Community Council Kickoff on January 19 (see below for more information) and help us reach our goal of at least one representative from each congregation. Best wishes to all of you as we approach the holiday season!
FACS Community Council Kickoff Event on Friday, January 19
Please join us for an afternoon of networking, fellowship, dialogue and learning on Friday, January 19 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. and help us set the tone for a strong response from the faith community to climate justice in 2018. We’ll hear from leaders that will bring us up-to-speed on the current status of climate advocacy at the global, state and local levels; review and discuss FACS’ 2018 Strategic Plan, and participate in a workshop on climate messaging, led by George Kralovec, based on the highly rated Citizens Climate Lobby training. We are aiming for participation from each and every FACS congregation, as well as those new to FACS. Don’t know who your Community Council representative is? Ask us! To register for the event, click here.
FACS Montgomery County begins meeting
On November 30, congregations in Montgomery County, Maryland came together for the second meeting of the Montgomery County Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions at Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Bethesda Maryland. FACS Montgomery County has formed a coalition to urge county government to act morally by passing rules that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For more information, please email Walter Weiss (walter.weiss@verizon.net), Co-Chair of the River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation.
FACS Energy Masters training
FACS offered Energy Masters training on Saturday, November 18. Members of Unitarian Universalist, United Church of Christ, United Methodist Church, Presbyterian and Quaker congregations came together to learn new energy efficiency skills that can be used at home. For example, they learned how to use infrared thermometers to identify cold air leaks, seal air leaks around doors, windows, and electrical switch plates with foam adhesive and caulk, install gaskets behind light switch and electrical outlet plates, install faucet aerators and low-flow shower heads, etc. FACS will also organize Saturday volunteer opportunities through the year to help our low income, disabled and elderly neighbors in NoVA to reduce their utility bills, conserve energy and cut GHGs.
Water is Life pipeline event
As the Virginia Water Control Board begins hearings next month to inform imminent decisions about the water permits for both pipelines, neighbors from across Virginia will be gathering in Richmond to raise their voices. Our friends at the Sierra Club are organizing a bus from Northern Virginia to Richmond for the Water is Life rally and concert. Reserve a spot on the bus on Eventbrite.
Time: Saturday, December 2nd. 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Bus time schedule is different)
Location: Virginia Capital Grounds & National Theater in Richmond
Climate, Faith and Advocacy Event
The activist and environmentalist Rabbi David Schneyer who leads two congregations – Am Kolel and Kehila Chadasha – has lined up an excellent group of speakers to give a climate, faith and advocacy event on Sunday December 3. The keynote will be delivered by Rev. Fletcher Harper of Green Faith. Please feel free to join this wonderful program at Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church.
Time: Sunday, December 3 2:30-5:30pm
Location: Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church. 9601 Cedar Ln, Bethesda, Maryland 20814
More information here.
FCPS Advocacy Day on December 4th
Fairfax County Council of PTAs (FCCPTA) will host its Advocacy Day on Monday, December 4. It is a good opportunity for PTA members to meet, engage, and build relationships with their local officials on the Fairfax County School Board and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. PTA members will learn about official’s education priorities, FCPS budget process, and discuss important issues. Click here for more information.
Time: December, 4th 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Gatehouse Administration Center. 8115 Gatehouse Road in Falls Church.
To register for the free event, please click here.
Sierra Club “The Anthropologist” Film Screening and Q&A
This December the Virginia Sierra Club is hosting a film screening of The Anthologist, followed by Q&A with Dr Susie Crate, the subject of the film. The film follows Susie and her daughter Katie around the world, visiting different impacted nations and talking to the people about how their environment and lives have changed, and connecting those changes to global climate change.
Time: December 6, 2017 6:00 – 9:00pm
Location: Arlington Central Library. 1015 N Quincy St, Arlington, Virginia 22201
In peace,
Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions
