Our Diocesan Creation Care Justice Network has developed The Path, a framework of “pray, learn, act, advocate” to guide churches to meet the challenge of the 6th baptismal covenant:
“Cherish the wondrous works of God, and protect and restore the beauty and integrity of all creation.”
Good Shepherd’s Creation Care Team used this framework during our Creation Care focus last fall.
We offer The Path as a way to address:
the threat of private jet expansion at Hanscom Field
the fact that the MA legislature is running out of time to pass several environmental bills
Stop private jet expansion at hanscom field
Pray:
May we be even more aware of the wondrous works of God in this world, so that we make decisions that protect and restore, rather than damage, our God-given creation. Amen
Learn:
A coalition of over 80 partners has come together to stop a massive 50-acre hanger expansion by Massport* to house private luxury jets at Hanscom Field, located in Concord, Lexington, Bedford and Lincoln. However, this is more than a local issue for just the surrounding towns. These private, luxury jets are the worst per capita emitters of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) in the world. This project would cancel 70% of the positive climate impact of all solar installations in Massachusetts to date.
If you are interested in learning more, go to spje.org. This site incudes lots of information including how the expansion will affect nearby National Historic Parks and a National Wildlife Refuge. Visiting the site is worth your time.
FYI: “MassPort was created by the Mass. State Legislature in 1956 to oversee and operate key transportation facilities in the state. They do not answer to either the Governor or the MA legislature. It is governed by a seven-member Board and is an independent public authority.”
Act:
Please sign the petition for support from Governor Healey to stop private jet expansion at Hanscom.
Advocate:
Good Shepherd Creation Care Team has joined the Coalition to stop private luxury jets at Hanscom Field.
Yet-to-pass environmental bills: Time is running out!
Pray:
For the forward movement and passage of these bills.
Learn:
There are a number of Environmental Bills still in our MA Legislature Committees that need to be brought to the floor for discussion and a vote. If they are not voted on before the end of the legislative session this July, they will have to wait for another two years before they can be brought up again. We encourage you to learn about these bills.
Act:
Act by writing or calling your senator and representative to put pressure on the leadership to bring these bills to the floor for a vote. To contact your senator and your representative go to https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator. Even if your legislators are for these bills, emails or phone calls are good data for them to put pressure on their peers.
Here is a sample letter or phone call script to your senator and representative which you can use.
I am concerned that there are important environmental bills that have not been advanced during this legislative session. They include among others:
clean air (S.1382/H.2131),
environmental justice for vulnerable communities (S.2113/H.3187),
transitioning away from gas (S.2135/H.3237),
equitable building decarbonization (S.2365/H.3232)
I urge you to put pressure on the leadership to bring these bills out of committee to the floor for a vote. The climate emergency cannot wait two years.
Thank you
Name
Address
Advocate:
On May 21st, a group of concerned environmentalists, including members of CGS, assembled on the lawn in front of First Parish Church on Lexington Road in Concord for a rally to let people know that Time is Running Out!