Northern Michigan University EarthKeeper Student Teams Makes a Difference by removing trash from a favorite youth party spot on a Lake Superior tributary in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
(Marquette, Michigan) – A student environment group from Northern Michigan University honored “Make A Difference Day” by picking up hundreds of pounds of litter and garbage at a favorite youth party spot around the Upper Dead River Falls in Marquette, Michigan.
The rubbish collected by the Northern Michigan University EarthKeeper (NMU EK) Student Team on Saturday (October 24, 2009) included rusty box springs, a smashed vehicle windshield and a plethora of beer bottles and cans. Some of the beverage containers were very old because they had the old pull-top design.
The Upper Dead River Falls is a rugged area with sandy hills, steep trails, rocky cliffs, a lengthy series of waterfalls and the obvious remnants of many campfires.
“I just found a used diaper, a lot of glass, broken bottles, cans and cigarette wrappers,” said Ben Scheelk, 21, of Charlevoix, MI, director of the NMU EK Student Team.
“What really disappoints me is all the big things we are finding like bed springs and other rusty old metal things,” Scheelk said.
While looking at the rushing water, NMU EK Student Team Event Coordinator Amanda Emerson said “water is an important entity of the world and even though we have so much of it around here we have to cherish it that much more.”
“We been out here so many times there is no one out here ever picking it up their trash,” said Emerson, 21, of Cary, Ill. (NW Chicago).
NMU Senior Chelsey Cebulsky said she was proud to participate in “Make A Difference Day” and “picking up this trash is a good thing to do for the environment.”
“I have been out here many times for the party scene but I was always the one carrying around a plastic bag telling everyone to put their cans in it – sadly not very many people listened,” said Chelsey Cebulsky, 22, a physical geography major from of Adrian, MI. “Get a trash bag and get rid of trash yourself.”
NMU junior Ben Youren used gloves to carefully separated hundreds of pieces of shattered glass from the muddy soil on a hillside along the river.
“It looks like it is part of a windshield,” said Youren, 26, an English major. “I am trying to dig the glass out of here.”
The NMU environment group is the student wing of the interfaith Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper Team that holds annual Earth Day environment projects across northern Michigan including planting over 12,000 trees this past spring.
Prior to the collection, the group sat in a circle at the NMU University Center and got a lesson in the importance of clean water from the co-founder of the Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper Initiative.
“Almost 80 percent of the world is water and our bodies are 80 percent water, said Rev. Jon Magnuson, co-founder of the EarthKeeper Initiative and campus pastor for NMU Lutheran Campus Ministry.
“There is a delicate balance when it comes to pH or the amount of acid in water and if that balance gets thrown off we can die.”
Magnuson said people who grow up in northern Michigan sometimes “take it for granted because we have so much water.”
“If you go to other places in the world you will see people who have to travel miles to get fresh water,” Magnuson said. “Their whole life is centered around accessing good water.”
The students clean up project may of had a preventative effect.
While the students were cleaning up the area, a pickup truck pulled up with a load of tires in the back. After talking briefly to the students, the two men in the truck pulled away.
“It looks like we prevented them from dumping a whole load of tires along side of the river,” Scheelk said.
Background on EarthKeeper Initiative:
The EarthKeepers are an interfaith environment group involving over 150 churches and temples across northern Michigan.
The EarthKeeper Initiative is co-sponsored by the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute, the nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and 10 faith communities: Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Baha’i, Jewish, Quakers (Religious Society of Friends) and Zen Buddhist.
For more information on the Michigan EarthKeepers email or call the following contacts:Ben Scheelk, Director of NMU EK Student Team
bscheelk@nmu.edu
231-675-0121
Rev. Jon Magnuson, Co-Founder of EarthKeeper Initiative
magnusonx2@charter.net
906-228-5494
Greg Peterson, news reporter and volunteer media advisor for the EarthKeepers and other projects
earthkeeper@charter.net
906-401-0109
U.P. EarthKeeper Team:
http://www.upearthkeepers.org
Nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership in Marquette, MI
To vote you will have to register the first time
We realize this is asking a lot – thank you so much.
Thank you so much.
Greg Peterson, news reporter and volunteer media advisor for the EarthKeepers & Zaagkii Project
Call if you have questions – anytime day or night:
1-906-401-0109
The EarthKeepers:
The interfaith EarthKeepers planted twelve thousand (12,000) trees across northern Michigan for Earth Day 2009 thanks to over 100 churches/temples from 12 religions.
During past Earth Day projects, the EarthKeepers have recycled or properly disposed over nearly 400 tons of waste including cellphones, computers (and related equipment), printers, car batteries, poisons, pesticides, oil-based paint, pharmaceuticals and much more.
The Zaagkii Project:
Jan Schultz of the U.S. Forest Service discusses Zaagkii Project with Native American college student.
This summer Native American youth and at-risk teens are repairing the ecosystem along a Lake Superior beach, built dozens of Mason Bee houses including some to be placed at the U.S. National Gardens in D.C., Native American teens this month are helping build a greenhouse for native species plants on the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community reservation.
Last summer the teens built dozens of butterfly houses for migrating Monarchs.
EarthKeepers were featured in inside front cover of Tikkun Magazine:
The EarthKeeper “Interfaith Respect” video series continues with a look at the Jewish faith with Dr. Michael Grossman of Ishpeming, Michigan.
The video ends with a drum solo and singing by Northern Michigan University student Emmanuel Shayo.
The series is brought to you buy the Northern Michigan University EarthKeeper Student Team and the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute and its related environment projects like the interfaith Earth Healing Initiative, the interfaith Upper Peninsula (U.P.) EarthKeeper Team and more.
Interfaith Respect has long been a goal of the U.P. EarthKeeper Team in northern Michigan.
On June 4, 2009 President Barack Obama said in Cairo, Egypt that people from different religions should respect each other’s faiths:
“The richness of religious diversity must be upheld … faith should bring us together.”
The video series began with a three part look at Islam (see links below) and now the Jewish faith.
Future videos will include Baha’i, Zen Buddhist and Christian (Catholic, Lutheran, United Church of Christ and more).
In this video we feature Dr. Michael Grossman, a member of Temple Beth Sholom, a Jewish Synagogue in Ishpeming, MI. After Dr. Grossman’s talk, you will hear NMU student Emmanuel Shayo who played a drum solo and sang.
Dr. Grossman joined faith leaders from other religions on April 23, 2009 in an address to NMU students.
The interfaith messages were deliver during the Sacred Planet series sponsored by the EarthKeeper NMU Student Team led by team leaders Sarah Swanson and Ben Scheelk.
The first three videos featured well-known Muslim Imam Hassan Qazwini, head of the Islamic Center of America, who spoke on Oct. 22, 2008 at the Lutheran Campus Ministry (LCM) Lothlórien House in Marquette, MI.
Imam Qazwini talked about his life, the Iraq War, the treatment of women in Islam, respect for the environment and the few differences between the world’s major religions. NMU Health & Nutrition Professor Mohey Mowafy of Marquette introduced Imam Hassan Qazwini.
Parts 1-3 on bliptv & youtube:
Interfaith Respect Series #1 Islamic Center of America Imam Hassan Qazwini talks about his life during fall 2008 visit to Marquette:
Dr. Rodney H. Clarken, chair of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Marquette: Speaks about the history of the Baha’i faiht, the environment and the EarthKeeper Initiative.
Head Priest Reverend Tesshin Paul Lehmberg of the Lake Superior Zendo, Soto Zen Buddhist temple, Marquette, MI: Speaks about the history of the Buddhist and Zen Buddhist faith, the environment and the EarthKeeper Tree Project.
Lutheran Bishop Thomas A. Skrenes of the Northern Great Lakes Synod for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
Speaks on the environment, interfaith projects and respect for each other’s faith.
The mother of three children, Catholic EarthKeeper team member Kyra Fillmore was the seedling distribution coordinator for the 2009 EarthKeeper Tree Project that was held in connection with Earth Day 2009 and saw the congregations of 100 churches and temples plant over 12,000 trees across the U.P. during May 2009: Fillmore speaks about the Catholic faith, the environment and the tree project including what it takes to organize the distribution of 12,000 seedlings across a 400-mile area.
United Church of Christ Rev. Dr. George Cairns of Chesterton IN: Cairns speaks about what can be learned from the Earth-based Celtic religion: Speaks in May 2009 about Celtic Christianity and the environment from Union Community Church (UCC) in Valparaiso, IN thanks to the congregation and its pastor, Rev. Dr. Gregory Augustus Jones, M.Div., D. Min, adjunct assistant professor of theology at Valparaiso University.
Dr. Cairns is the co-founder of the nonprofit Turtle island Project, a research professor with the Chicago Theological Seminary and Theologian in Residence at the Union Community Church.
The interfaith series includes music from the NMU Sacred Planet series: EarthKeeper volunteer Johnnie Bryant sang an original song and NMU student Emmanuel Shayo played the drums and sang.
The EarthKeepers are an interfaith environment group involving over 150 churches and temples across northern Michigan.
The EarthKeeper Initiative is co-sponsored by the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute, the nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and 10 faith communities: Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Baha’i, Jewish, Quakers (Religious Society of Friends) and Zen Buddhist.
The EarthKeepers have ties to several other faiths including the Evangelical Covenant Church and Japanese Soka Gakkai International (SGI) Buddhist Network.
U.S. President Barack Obama interfaith quotes from Cairo, Egypt on June 4, 2009:
People in every country should be free to choose and live their faith based upon the persuasion of the mind, heart, and soul.
The richness of religious diversity must be upheld – whether it is for Maronites in Lebanon or the Copts in Egypt.
And fault lines must be closed among Muslims as well, as the divisions between Sunni and Shia have led to tragic violence, particularly in Iraq.
“Indeed, faith should bring us together.”
“That is why we are forging service projects in America that bring together Christians, Muslims, and Jews.”
“That is why we welcome efforts like Saudi Arabian King Abdullah’s Interfaith dialogue and Turkey’s leadership in the Alliance of Civilizations.
Around the world, we can turn dialogue into Interfaith service, so bridges between peoples lead to action – whether it is combating malaria in Africa, or providing relief after a natural disaster.”
“I want to particularly say this to young people of every faith, in every country – you, more than anyone, have the ability to remake this world.”
“The enduring faith of over a billion people is so much bigger than the narrow hatred of a few.”
“We should choose the right path, not just the easy path. There is also one rule that lies at the heart of every religion – that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us.
This truth transcends nations and peoples – a belief that isn’t new; that isn’t black or white or brown; that isn’t Christian, or Muslim or Jew.
It’s a belief that pulsed in the cradle of civilization, and that still beats in the heart of billions.
It’s a faith in other people, and it’s what brought me here today.”
“All of us have a responsibility to work for the day when the mothers of Israelis and Palestinians can see their children grow up without fear; when the Holy Land of three great faiths is the place of peace that God intended it to be; when Jerusalem is a secure and lasting home for Jews and Christians and Muslims, and a place for all of the children of Abraham to mingle peacefully together as in the story of Isra, when Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed (peace be upon them) joined in prayer.”
And because the EarthKeepers stand for the equal treatment of all – we include the President’s remarks about respect for women’s rights:
President Obama said “the sixth issue that I want to address is women’s rights.”
“I know there is debate about this issue. I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal, but I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality.
And it is no coincidence that countries where women are well-educated are far more likely to be prosperous.”
“Now let me be clear: issues of women’s equality are by no means simply an issue for Islam. In Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia, we have seen Muslim-majority countries elect a woman to lead.”
“Meanwhile, the struggle for women’s equality continues in many aspects of American life, and in countries around the world.”
“Our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons, and our common prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity – men and women – to reach their full potential.
I do not believe that women must make the same choices as men in order to be equal, and I respect those women who choose to live their lives in traditional roles.
But it should be their choice.”
“That is why the United States will partner with any Muslim-majority country to support expanded literacy for girls, and to help young women pursue employment through micro-financing that helps people live their dreams.”
A Public Domain version of the Kabbalistic tree with flaming sword in yellow. (The flaming sword that protects the Garden of Eden and the Tree of Life itself.)
The Interfaith Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper Team planted 12,000 trees across 400 miles of northern Michigan during May 2009 thanks to the congregations of over 100 churches and temples.
A garden initiative is among the projects being considered in 2010.
Interfaith Respect Series #3: Islamic Center of America Imam Hassan Qazwini explains Islam and respect for woman
Interfaith Respect has long been a goal of the Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper Team in northern Michigan.
Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain
Interfaith Respect Series on BlipTV courtesy the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute in Marquette, MI and the interfaith Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper team:
On June 4, 2009 President Barack Obama said in Cairo, Egypt that people from different religions should respect each others faiths: The richness of religious diversity must be upheld … faith should bring us together.
In that spirit, the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute in Marquette, MI begins a series of videos from a wide range of faiths.
These videos include Bahai, Jewish, Muslim, Zen Buddhist and Christian (Catholic, Lutheran, United Church of Christ and more.)
Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain
We start with three videos with well-know Muslim Imam Hassan Qazwini (pictured above) and followed by three videos of Dr. Michael Grossman, a member of Temple Beth Sholom (pictured below), a Jewish Synagogue in Ishpeming, MI.
Imam Hassan Qazwini, head of the Islamic Center of America, spoke on Oct. 22, 2008 at the Lutheran Campus Ministry (LCM) Lothlórien House in Marquette, MI.
Imam Qazwini talks about his life, the Iraq War and the treatment of women in Islam.
(See links below to two previous videos in which Imam Qazwini talks about respect for the environment and the few differences between the worlds major religions.)
Northern Michigan University (NMU) Health & Nutrition Professor Mohey Mowafy of Marquette introduced Imam Hassan Qazwini.
Dr. Grossman joined faith leaders from other religions in a April 23, 2009 address to NMU students.
The interfaith messages were delivered during the Sacred Planet series sponsored by the EarthKeeper NMU Student Team led by team leaders Sarah Swanson and Ben Scheelk.
Interfaith graphic, above, by Justice St. Rain
The EarthKeeper Interfaith Respect videos will include:
Dr. Rodney H. Clarken, chair of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahais of Marquette:
Speaks about the history of the Bahai faiht, the environment and the EarthKeeper Initiative.
Head Priest Reverend Tesshin Paul Lehmberg of the Lake Superior Zendo, Soto Zen Buddhist temple, Marquette, MI:
Speaks about the history of the Buddhist and Zen Buddhist faith, the environment and the EarthKeeper Tree Project.
Lutheran Bishop Thomas A. Skrenes of the Northern Great Lakes Synod for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
Speaks on the environment, interfaith projects and respect for each others faith.
Catholic EarthKeeper team member Kyra Fillmore, seedling distribution coordinator for the EarthKeeper Tree Project, held in connection with Earth Day 2009, that saw the congregations of 100 churches and temples plant over 12,000 trees across the U.P. during May 2009:
Speaks about the Catholic faith, the environment and the tree project.
United Church of Christ Rev. Dr. George Cairns of Chesterton, Indiana:
Cairns speaks in May 2009 about what can be learned from the Earth-based Celtic religion plus Celtic Christianity and the environment from Union Community Church (UCC) in Valparaiso, IN.
Dr. Cairns comments are thanks to the congregation and its pastor, Rev. Dr. Gregory Augustus Jones, M.Div., D. Min, adjunct assistant professor of theology at Valparaiso University.
Dr. Cairns is the co-founder of the nonprofit Turtle island Project, a research professor with the Chicago Theological Seminary and Theologian in Residence at the Union Community Church.
We will wrap up our interfaith series with music from the NMU Sacred Planet series:
EarthKeeper volunteer Johnnie Bryant (above) on guitar
NMU student Emmanuel Shayo (above) sings, plays drums
EarthKeeper volunteer Johnnie Bryant sang an original song and NMU student Emmanuel Shayo played the drums.
NMU students and the guest speakers enjoyed homemade herbal tea made with indigenous plants that were collected and and brewed by EarthKeeper volunteer and naturalist Tom Reed, who has served as volunteer social worker with numerous Cedar Tree Institute projects.
The EarthKeepers are an interfaith environment group involving over 150 churches and temples across northern Michigan.
The EarthKeeper Initiative is co-sponsored by the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute, the nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and 10 faith communities: Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Baha’i, Jewish, Quakers (Religious Society of Friends) and Zen Buddhist.
The EarthKeepers have ties to several other faiths including the Evangelical Covenant Church and Japanese Soka Gakkai International (SGI) Buddhist Network.
Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain
U.S. President Barack Obama interfaith quotes from Cairo, Egypt on June 4, 2009:
“People in every country should be free to choose and live their faith based upon the persuasion of the mind, heart, and soul.”
“The richness of religious diversity must be upheld whether it is for Maronites in Lebanon or the Copts in Egypt.”
“And fault lines must be closed among Muslims as well, as the divisions between Sunni and Shia have led to tragic violence, particularly in Iraq.”
“Indeed, faith should bring us together.”
“That is why we are forging service projects in America that bring together Christians, Muslims, and Jews.”
“That is why we welcome efforts like Saudi Arabian King Abdullah’s Interfaith dialogue and Turkey’s leadership in the Alliance of Civilizations.
Around the world, we can turn dialogue into Interfaith service, so bridges between peoples lead to action whether it is combating malaria in Africa, or providing relief after a natural disaster.”
“I want to particularly say this to young people of every faith, in every country you, more than anyone, have the ability to remake this world.”
“The enduring faith of over a billion people is so much bigger than the narrow hatred of a few.”
“We should choose the right path, not just the easy path. There is also one rule that lies at the heart of every religion that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us.
This truth transcends nations and peoples a belief that isn’t new; that isn’t black or white or brown; that isn’t Christian, or Muslim or Jew.
It’s a belief that pulsed in the cradle of civilization, and that still beats in the heart of billions.
It’s a faith in other people, and it’s what brought me here today.”
“All of us have a responsibility to work for the day when the mothers of Israelis and Palestinians can see their children grow up without fear; when the Holy Land of three great faiths is the place of peace that God intended it to be; when Jerusalem is a secure and lasting home for Jews and Christians and Muslims, and a place for all of the children of Abraham to mingle peacefully together as in the story of Isra, when Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed (peace be upon them) joined in prayer.”
And because the EarthKeepers stand for the equal treatment of all – we include the Presidents remarks about respect for womens rights:
“The sixth issue that I want to address is women’s rights.”
“I know there is debate about this issue.
I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal, but I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality.
And it is no coincidence that countries where women are well-educated are far more likely to be prosperous.”
“Now let me be clear: issues of women’s equality are by no means simply an issue for Islam. In Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia, we have seen Muslim-majority countries elect a woman to lead.”
“Meanwhile, the struggle for women’s equality continues in many aspects of American life, and in countries around the world.”
“Our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons, and our common prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity men and women to reach their full potential.
I do not believe that women must make the same choices as men in order to be equal, and I respect those women who choose to live their lives in traditional roles.
But it should be their choice.”
“That is why the United States will partner with any Muslim-majority country to support expanded literacy for girls, and to help young women pursue employment through micro-financing that helps people live their dreams.”
The Interfaith Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper Team planted 12,000 trees across 400 miles of northern Michigan during May 2009 thanks to the congregations of over 100 churches and temples.
A garden initiative is among the projects being considered in 2010.
Interfaith Respect Series #2: Islamic Center of America Imam Hassan Qazwini talks about the Iraq War and other issues
Interfaith Respect has long been a goal of the Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper Team in northern Michigan.
Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain
On June 4, 2009 President Barack Obama said in Cairo, Egypt that people from different religions should respect each others faiths: The richness of religious diversity must be upheld … faith should bring us together.
In that spirit, the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute in Marquette, MI begins a series of videos from a wide range of faiths.
These videos include Bahai, Jewish, Muslim, Zen Buddhist and Christian (Catholic, Lutheran, United Church of Christ and more.)
Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain
We start with three videos with well-know Muslim Imam Hassan Qazwini (pictured above) and followed by three videos of Dr. Michael Grossman, a member of Temple Beth Sholom (pictured below), a Jewish Synagogue in Ishpeming, MI.
Imam Hassan Qazwini, head of the Islamic Center of America, spoke on Oct. 22, 2008 at the Lutheran Campus Ministry (LCM) Lothlórien House in Marquette, MI.
Imam Qazwini talks about his life, the Iraq War and the treatment of women in Islam.
(See links below to two previous videos in which Imam Qazwini talks about respect for the environment and the few differences between the worlds major religions.)
Northern Michigan University (NMU) Health & Nutrition Professor Mohey Mowafy of Marquette introduced Imam Hassan Qazwini.
Dr. Grossman joined faith leaders from other religions in a April 23, 2009 address to NMU students.
The interfaith messages were delivered during the Sacred Planet series sponsored by the EarthKeeper NMU Student Team led by team leaders Sarah Swanson and Ben Scheelk.
Interfaith graphic, above, by Justice St. Rain
The EarthKeeper Interfaith Respect videos will include:
Dr. Rodney H. Clarken, chair of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahais of Marquette:
Speaks about the history of the Bahai faiht, the environment and the EarthKeeper Initiative.
Head Priest Reverend Tesshin Paul Lehmberg of the Lake Superior Zendo, Soto Zen Buddhist temple, Marquette, MI:
Speaks about the history of the Buddhist and Zen Buddhist faith, the environment and the EarthKeeper Tree Project.
Lutheran Bishop Thomas A. Skrenes of the Northern Great Lakes Synod for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
Speaks on the environment, interfaith projects and respect for each others faith.
Catholic EarthKeeper team member Kyra Fillmore, seedling distribution coordinator for the EarthKeeper Tree Project, held in connection with Earth Day 2009, that saw the congregations of 100 churches and temples plant over 12,000 trees across the U.P. during May 2009:
Speaks about the Catholic faith, the environment and the tree project.
United Church of Christ Rev. Dr. George Cairns of Chesterton, Indiana:
Cairns speaks in May 2009 about what can be learned from the Earth-based Celtic religion plus Celtic Christianity and the environment from Union Community Church (UCC) in Valparaiso, IN.
Dr. Cairns comments are thanks to the congregation and its pastor, Rev. Dr. Gregory Augustus Jones, M.Div., D. Min, adjunct assistant professor of theology at Valparaiso University.
Dr. Cairns is the co-founder of the nonprofit Turtle island Project, a research professor with the Chicago Theological Seminary and Theologian in Residence at the Union Community Church.
We will wrap up our interfaith series with music from the NMU Sacred Planet series:
EarthKeeper volunteer Johnnie Bryant (above) on guitar
NMU student Emmanuel Shayo (above) sings, plays drums
EarthKeeper volunteer Johnnie Bryant sang an original song and NMU student Emmanuel Shayo played the drums.
NMU students and the guest speakers enjoyed homemade herbal tea made with indigenous plants that were collected and and brewed by EarthKeeper volunteer and naturalist Tom Reed, who has served as volunteer social worker with numerous Cedar Tree Institute projects.
The EarthKeepers are an interfaith environment group involving over 150 churches and temples across northern Michigan.
The EarthKeeper Initiative is co-sponsored by the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute, the nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and 10 faith communities: Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Baha’i, Jewish, Quakers (Religious Society of Friends) and Zen Buddhist.
The EarthKeepers have ties to several other faiths including the Evangelical Covenant Church and Japanese Soka Gakkai International (SGI) Buddhist Network.
Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain
U.S. President Barack Obama interfaith quotes from Cairo, Egypt on June 4, 2009:
“People in every country should be free to choose and live their faith based upon the persuasion of the mind, heart, and soul.”
“The richness of religious diversity must be upheld whether it is for Maronites in Lebanon or the Copts in Egypt.”
“And fault lines must be closed among Muslims as well, as the divisions between Sunni and Shia have led to tragic violence, particularly in Iraq.”
“Indeed, faith should bring us together.”
“That is why we are forging service projects in America that bring together Christians, Muslims, and Jews.”
“That is why we welcome efforts like Saudi Arabian King Abdullah’s Interfaith dialogue and Turkey’s leadership in the Alliance of Civilizations.
Around the world, we can turn dialogue into Interfaith service, so bridges between peoples lead to action whether it is combating malaria in Africa, or providing relief after a natural disaster.”
“I want to particularly say this to young people of every faith, in every country you, more than anyone, have the ability to remake this world.”
“The enduring faith of over a billion people is so much bigger than the narrow hatred of a few.”
“We should choose the right path, not just the easy path. There is also one rule that lies at the heart of every religion that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us.
This truth transcends nations and peoples a belief that isn’t new; that isn’t black or white or brown; that isn’t Christian, or Muslim or Jew.
It’s a belief that pulsed in the cradle of civilization, and that still beats in the heart of billions.
It’s a faith in other people, and it’s what brought me here today.”
“All of us have a responsibility to work for the day when the mothers of Israelis and Palestinians can see their children grow up without fear; when the Holy Land of three great faiths is the place of peace that God intended it to be; when Jerusalem is a secure and lasting home for Jews and Christians and Muslims, and a place for all of the children of Abraham to mingle peacefully together as in the story of Isra, when Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed (peace be upon them) joined in prayer.”
And because the EarthKeepers stand for the equal treatment of all – we include the Presidents remarks about respect for womens rights:
“The sixth issue that I want to address is women’s rights.”
“I know there is debate about this issue.
I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal, but I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality.
And it is no coincidence that countries where women are well-educated are far more likely to be prosperous.”
“Now let me be clear: issues of women’s equality are by no means simply an issue for Islam. In Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia, we have seen Muslim-majority countries elect a woman to lead.”
“Meanwhile, the struggle for women’s equality continues in many aspects of American life, and in countries around the world.”
“Our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons, and our common prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity men and women to reach their full potential.
I do not believe that women must make the same choices as men in order to be equal, and I respect those women who choose to live their lives in traditional roles.
But it should be their choice.”
“That is why the United States will partner with any Muslim-majority country to support expanded literacy for girls, and to help young women pursue employment through micro-financing that helps people live their dreams.”
The Interfaith Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper Team planted 12,000 trees across 400 miles of northern Michigan during May 2009 thanks to the congregations of over 100 churches and temples.
A garden initiative is among the projects being considered in 2010.
Interfaith Respect Series #1: Islamic Center of America Imam Hassan Qazwini talks about his life during fall 2009 visit to Marquette, MI
Interfaith Respect has long been a goal of the Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper Team in northern Michigan.
Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain
On June 4, 2009 President Barack Obama said in Cairo, Egypt that people from different religions should respect each others faiths: The richness of religious diversity must be upheld … faith should bring us together.
In that spirit, the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute in Marquette, MI begins a series of videos from a wide range of faiths.
These videos include Bahai, Jewish, Muslim, Zen Buddhist and Christian (Catholic, Lutheran, United Church of Christ and more.)
Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain
We start with three videos with well-know Muslim Imam Hassan Qazwini and followed by three videos of Dr. Michael Grossman, a member of Temple Beth Sholom, a Jewish Synagogue in Ishpeming, MI.
Imam Hassan Qazwini photos by Greg Peterson
Imam Hassan Qazwini, head of the Islamic Center of America, spoke on Oct. 22, 2008 at the Lutheran Campus Ministry (LCM) Lothlórien House in Marquette, MI.
Imam Qazwini talks about his life, the Iraq War and the treatment of women in Islam.
(See links below to two previous videos in which Imam Qazwini talks about respect for the environment and the few differences between the worlds major religions.)
Northern Michigan University (NMU) Health & Nutrition Professor Mohey Mowafy of Marquette introduced Imam Hassan Qazwini.
Dr. Grossman joined faith leaders from other religions in a April 23, 2009 address to NMU students.
The interfaith messages were deliver during the Sacred Planet series sponsored by the EarthKeeper NMU Student Team led by team leaders Sarah Swanson and Ben Scheelk.
Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain
Interfaith Respect videos will include:
Dr. Rodney H. Clarken, chair of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahais of Marquette: Speaks about the history of the Bahai faiht, the environment and the EarthKeeper Initiative.
Head Priest Reverend Tesshin Paul Lehmberg of the Lake Superior Zendo, Soto Zen Buddhist temple, Marquette, MI: Speaks about the history of the Buddhist and Zen Buddhist faith, the environment and the EarthKeeper Tree Project.
Lutheran Bishop Thomas A. Skrenes of the Northern Great Lakes Synod for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America: Speaks on the environment, interfaith projects and respect for each others faith.
Catholic EarthKeeper team member Kyra Fillmore, seedling distribution coordinator for the EarthKeeper Tree Project, held in connection with Earth Day 2009, that saw the congregations of 100 churches and temples plant over 12,000 trees across the U.P. during May 2009:
Speaks about the Catholic faith, the environment and the tree project.
United Church of Christ Rev. Dr. George Cairns of Chesterton IN: Cairns speaks about what can be learned from the Earth-based Celtic religion: Speaks in May 2009 about Celtic Christianity and the environment from Union Community Church (UCC) in Valparaiso, IN. Dr. Cairns thanks to the congregation and its pastor, Rev. Dr. Gregory Augustus Jones, M.Div., D. Min, adjunct assistant professor of theology at Valparaiso University .
Dr. Cairns is the co-founder of the nonprofit Turtle island Project, a research professor with the Chicago Theological Seminary and Theologian in Residence at the Union Community Church.
We will wrap up our interfaith series with music from the NMU Sacred Planet series: EarthKeeper volunteer Johnnie Bryant sang an original song and NMU student Emmanuel Shayo played the drums.
The EarthKeepers are an interfaith environment group involving over 150 churches and temples across northern Michigan.
The EarthKeeper Initiative is co-sponsored by the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute, the nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and 10 faith communities: Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Baha’i, Jewish, Quakers (Religious Society of Friends) and Zen Buddhist.
The EarthKeepers have ties to several other faiths including the Evangelical Covenant Church and Japanese Soka Gakkai International (SGI) Buddhist Network.
Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain
U.S. President Barack Obama interfaith quotes from Cairo, Egypt on June 4, 2009:
“People in every country should be free to choose and live their faith based upon the persuasion of the mind, heart, and soul.”
“The richness of religious diversity must be upheld whether it is for Maronites in Lebanon or the Copts in Egypt.”
“And fault lines must be closed among Muslims as well, as the divisions between Sunni and Shia have led to tragic violence, particularly in Iraq.”
“Indeed, faith should bring us together.”
“That is why we are forging service projects in America that bring together Christians, Muslims, and Jews.”
“That is why we welcome efforts like Saudi Arabian King Abdullah’s Interfaith dialogue and Turkey’s leadership in the Alliance of Civilizations.
Around the world, we can turn dialogue into Interfaith service, so bridges between peoples lead to action whether it is combating malaria in Africa, or providing relief after a natural disaster.”
“I want to particularly say this to young people of every faith, in every country you, more than anyone, have the ability to remake this world.”
“The enduring faith of over a billion people is so much bigger than the narrow hatred of a few.”
“We should choose the right path, not just the easy path. There is also one rule that lies at the heart of every religion that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us.
This truth transcends nations and peoples a belief that isn’t new; that isn’t black or white or brown; that isn’t Christian, or Muslim or Jew.
It’s a belief that pulsed in the cradle of civilization, and that still beats in the heart of billions.
It’s a faith in other people, and it’s what brought me here today.”
“All of us have a responsibility to work for the day when the mothers of Israelis and Palestinians can see their children grow up without fear; when the Holy Land of three great faiths is the place of peace that God intended it to be; when Jerusalem is a secure and lasting home for Jews and Christians and Muslims, and a place for all of the children of Abraham to mingle peacefully together as in the story of Isra, when Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed (peace be upon them) joined in prayer.”
And because the EarthKeepers stand for the equal treatment of all – we include the Presidents remarks about respect for womens rights:
“The sixth issue that I want to address is women’s rights.”
“I know there is debate about this issue.
I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal, but I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality.
And it is no coincidence that countries where women are well-educated are far more likely to be prosperous.”
“Now let me be clear: issues of women’s equality are by no means simply an issue for Islam. In Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia, we have seen Muslim-majority countries elect a woman to lead.”
“Meanwhile, the struggle for women’s equality continues in many aspects of American life, and in countries around the world.”
“Our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons, and our common prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity men and women to reach their full potential.
I do not believe that women must make the same choices as men in order to be equal, and I respect those women who choose to live their lives in traditional roles.
But it should be their choice.”
“That is why the United States will partner with any Muslim-majority country to support expanded literacy for girls, and to help young women pursue employment through micro-financing that helps people live their dreams.”
Over 12,000 trees planted by Northern Michigan interfaith EarthKeepers during early May across 400 miles of northern Michigan and Minocqua, Wisconsin
Raging forest fires underline importance of planting trees
Earth Day 2009: First tree planted and blessed by northern Michigan bishops and faith leaders on Earth Day 2009 near shores of Lake Superior at Presque Isle in Marquette
(Marquette, Michigan) – Northern Michigan residents planted more than 12,000 trees in early May across a 400-mile area of the Upper Peninsula and in northern Wisconsin during the 2009 interfaith EarthKeeper Tree Project.
White Spruce and Red Pine seedlings measuring 12 to 16 inches tall were given to over 100 churches and temples in all 15 Upper Peninsula (U.P.) counties and Minocqua, WI, said Catholic EarthKeeper Kyra Fillmore of Marquette, the project distribution coordinator.
“We hope these trees grow strong and tall,” Fillmore said.
EarthKeeper volunteers planted the 12,000 trees by homes, camps, parks, American Indian reservations and many other places with help from hundreds of chilren ranging in age from two-years-old to twenty-two.
In a tragic irony, within hours of the last trees being planted two raging forest fires erupted in Marquette and Alger counties.
In Marquette County, 33 structures were destroyed including 12 homes.
In Baraga County, an EarthKeeper tree planter was preparing to bury a cousin at the Pinery Cemetery when the wildfire ripped through the Native American cemetery destroying 45 spirit houses. Fortunately there were no deaths or serious injuries reported. Untold thousands and thousands of trees were burned in the forest fires.
The fires underline the need for people to plant trees and remove dead underbrush from around your home.
“My kids and I had a great time packing trees and planting trees,” said Carl Lindquist, who has a son Nels, 13, and a daughter Ingrid, 11, and is executive director of the nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership in Marquette. “I think everyone likes to feel like they are part of something much bigger than they are.”
The EarthKeeper team includes ten faith traditions with over 150 participating churches/temples (Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Baha’i, Jewish, Zen Buddist, Quakers), plus the nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership, the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute, and the Northern Michigan University EarthKeeper (NMU EK) Student Team.
Three Native American sisters and their mom volunteered at the Marquette tree distribution center. The girls planted trees behind their Gwinn, MI home hoping to attract more wildlife to what has turned into a nature preserve of sorts with a wide variety of wild animals and birds.
“We’ve decided to do a wildlife sanctuary in our backyard because we already have deer and many other animals come,” said Pamella Vincent, 17, a senior at Gwinn High School. “It will be really cool to see different animals come because of the trees.”
In the eight-acre area, “we already have Sand Hill Cranes, and deer and coyotes there, so we are trying to get more animals to come,” said Paige Vincent, 14, an eighth grader at Gwinn Middle School.
The youngest sister, Gilbert Elementary School sixth grader Paula Vincent, 12, said she has spotted cranes and “had popcorn in my hand and a crow came to eat out of my hand.
The Vincent family are members of St. James the Less Episcopal Church in Harvey, MI.
The girl’s mom Theresa Vincent said her great-grandpa was a Cherokee chief in Maryland who was joined by other relatives in walking the “Trail of Tears” into the Appalachian foothills. Vincent said she has taught her daughters about the respect Native Americans have for the land and wildlife.
“We’re here to help keep the earth green and the trees are important,” Theresa Vincent said. The family believes it’s important to “keep in touch with Mother Earth” in ways that include “recycling, reducing (energy consumption) and reusing” manmade products.
The sisters said Americans Indians have always respected the environment.
“It’s always been tradition for natives that if you take something away from the earth, you have to give it back – or give a blessing – so normally we would give tobacco or (in this case) plant trees,” Paige Vincent said. “We’re planting trees to give back to Mother Nature.”
The trees were purchased or donated by the U.P. EarthKeeper team, Superior Watershed Partnership, Holli Forest Products, the Forestland Group, Plum Creek Timber Company and Meister’s Greenhouses.
Some groups and individuals have donated money to help the tree project including Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Western U.P. Chapter 30918 in Ironwood, MI.
The EarthKeepers is “focused on how the faith communities can work together” despite theological differences, said Northern Great Lakes Synod Lutheran Bishop Thomas A. Skrenes.
“Religious differences are a huge factor in many parts of life and certainly there are big differences between different religious communities,” said Bishop Skrenes, the head of 94 U.P. Lutheran congregations with 40,000 members.
Skrenes asked “where is it that we can find ways to work together?”
“Nature is one of those places and EarthKeepers has provided us the opportunity to again renew our relationship with people who are very different in some ways and yet very similar,” said Skrenes, an original signer of the EarthKeeper Covenant.
Volunteer Johnny Bryant delivered 3,000 seedlings – one fourth of the entire planting effort – from a Marquette warehouse to Messiah Lutheran Church that served as the Marquette County distribution center for 25 churches and temples.
In a parking lot of the Marquette distribution center, the trees were blessed by numerous other faith traditions as the seedlings were picked up including a Catholic and Jewish blessing.
After speaking in Hebrew, Dr. Michael Grossman, a member an Ishpeming Synagogue, translated what he had said into English and explained some of the Jewish beliefs about protecting the environment.
“We have blessings for everything in Judaism, so I just blessed the trees,” said Grossman, a member of Temple Beth Sholom in Ishpeming. “We are grateful to God for bringing trees from the earth – when we eat we bless the bread – when we drink wine we bless the fruit.”
“Trees are symbolic of life,” Grossman said. “Trees are very important in Judaism as I am sure they are important to all faith traditions.”
Grossman then planted the trees at several locations in west Marquette County and in the city of Negaunee with help from two employees from his office.
“We jumped at the chance to help plant the trees,” said Rachel Riley, 25, hile standing next to fellow volunteer Kim McCarthy, 35, both of Negaunee. After the long winter, “I’ve been meaning to get out and do some work.”
Gail Griffith of Marquette, the EarthKeeper Implementation Team co-chair, brought trees to her congregation at the Marquette Unitarian Universalist Church (MUUC).
The MUUC planted seedlings in a Memorial Garden on their property near Harvey, MI and other trees as a future noise buffer to the heavy M-28 traffic that passes by their meeting house. The MUUC donated some of their trees to youth projects including 30 seedlings to a 4-H group.
‘We had a blessing of the trees as part of our service,” Griffith said.
Powell Township students (above) in the first through fourth grades planted about 30 seeedlings donated by the UU congregation.
In Big Bay, MI, the first through fourth graders at Powell Township Schools planted about 30 of the UU trees at several locations including in the schoolyard and at near-by Perkins Park.
“The students really took on a great deal of empathy for the trees – they carefully placed them in the holes, tucked the dirt around, created moats, stood up the sticks,” said teacher Kathy Wright. “Most kids visit their trees faithfully, sometimes leaving little special rocks or giving the trees and extra drink.”
The students and teachers “thank the Unitarian Universalist congregation for the opportunity to connect with our Mother Earth, and for the vehicle to teach our kids about the value of trees and earth stewardship,” Wright said.
MUUC member Nancy Irish the planting was more fun than work.
“We were digging and watering,” Irish said. “We talked about how big they would be 20 years from now, and how we might drive by and remember the day that 12,000 trees were planted all across the U.P.”
Northern Michigan Quakers planted approximately 50 trees during the EarthKeeper project.
The Lake Superior Friends is one of two U.P. Quaker groups in northern Michigan (the other is Keweenaw Friends Meeting in Houghton).
David McCowen of Lake Superior Friends said at one of their recent meetings a seven-year-old girl said planting trees is one way to respect the planet.
“I think it is important to help the earth by planting trees, because it is giving and good for the earth,” the youngster said.
In accordance with their religion, the Quakers quietly support the EarthKeepers and seldom publicly discuss their daily actions that show respect for the earth, wildlife and people, McCowen said.
One of the basic testimonials of the Quakers is “Simplicity of Living,” McCowen said. “A modern outgrowth of that testimonial is care for the environment.”
“Being planters of the trees helps us personally take part in continuing that creation,” McCowen said. “Here in the UP it is easy to take trees for granted, but trees are a major part of the surroundings that we love.”
“The technical benefits of trees are well known: carbon sequestration, sound buffers, wind breaks, wildlife habitat, fuel source, cellulose fiber source,” McCowen said. “But faith communities have the privilege and responsibility of unselfishly considering the natural environment as being inherently desirable.”
Lake Superior Friends Meeting member Jim Smit of Harvey said that “stewardship of the earth finds its roots in the biblical account of creation.”
“Adam’s job was to cultivate a garden filled with beautiful trees that produced good fruit,” Smit said.
“Six times in the creation story the writer pauses to say that God looked at what he had made, and behold, it was very good,” Smit said, adding “the implication is that we are meant to celebrate the earth and protect it.”
Smit said an example of Quaker views on the environment was explained during the Faith and Practice book written based on the North Pacific Yearly Meeting that reads in part: “We are obliged to cherish the earth, and to protect all its resources in a spirit of humble stewardship, committed to the right sharing of these resources among people everywhere.”
“Friends use questions or queries to approach issues of faith, implying that each of us is a seeker after truth,” Smit said.
The Faith and Practice book from the Friends’ (Quaker’s) 1972 Philadelphia Yearly Meeting questioned human impact on the environment: “Are you concerned that our increasing power over nature should not be used irresponsibly but with reverence for life and with a sense of the splendor of God’s continuing creation?”
McCowen said passages in the Bible books of Genesis, Isaiah and Leviticus reflect the Quaker view on nature, land and the Earth:
“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” – Genesis 1:31
“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” – Isaiah 55:12
“Your land must not be sold on a permanent basis, because you do not own it; it belongs to God, and you are like foreigners who are allowed to make use of it.” – Leviticus 25:23
In Chocolay Township, seven-year-old Isabelle Gostomski was dressed in her finest Sunday dress as she and her father planted a seedling in their front yard.
“I got it from church and it’s a tree – today was my first communion and I got this for a present.” said Gostomski, the daughter of Jennifer and Greg Gostomski. The family attends St. Louis the King parish in Harvey, MI.
Several faith leaders gave examples how the tree is used in religion in both a literal way and in a figurative way as in the “tree of life.”
Whiling hosting a planting party on a Bahá`í holy day, Steve Lockwood showed the amateur foresters “some trees that he planted that are twenty years old and they were a lot taller than me,” said Eve McCowen, 12, about her fourth participation in a hands-on EarthKeeper environment project.
12-year-old Eve McCowen of Marquette, a veteran of several EarthKeeper projects, helps plant trees. (Photo by Dennis McCowen)
“I knew they (the seedlings) might be really big trees in 20 years,” said the home-schooled sixth grader who is more active in community projects than many of her public school peers including Girl Scouts, piano, cross-country skiing, being in the outdoors and always the enthusiastic Earth Keeper volunteer. She is the daughter of Dennis and Lisa McCowen of Marquette, MI.
Eve remembers well being a nine-year-old unloading cars and stacking broken computers almost a big as she was during the 2006 EarthKeeper Electronic (e-waste) Clean Sweep that garnered over 320 tons of e-waste across the Upper Peninsula.
The next year Eve dumped countless bags of old medicines and personal products like shampoo into the proper containers during the 2007 Earth Keeper Pharmaceutical Clean Sweep that saw over one ton of pills turned in by northern Michigan residents. The e-waste was recycled and the pharmaceuticals destroyed using EPA guidelines to ensure the medicines were not flushed only to end up in America’s drinking water.
The Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá`ís of Marquette are among the congregations of over 100 churches and temples from ten faith traditions who planted 12,000 trees across 400 miles of northern Michigan during early May 2009.
“If we cut down all the trees there wont be any more trees,” Eve McCowen said. “The animals can’t live in nests in trees if there are no trees.”
Bahá`ís took turns using a heavy steel rod to poke planting holes in the soil and planted the seedlings,” she said. “After we put the tree in the ground and we put dirt around it.”
Eve said she realized that logging was necessary to provide paper for schools and wood to build homes, but added “some people just have fun cutting down tree.”
If you cut down a tree you have to replace a tree,” she said. “When you breathe we get oxygen from the trees and the trees pick up your carbon dioxide and turns it into oxygen.”
Trees and the environment are much more than a cause to Bahá`ís because “this world and nature is the embodiment of the name of God, the creator, the maker,” said Marquette Bahá`í local chair Dr. Rodney Clarken while explaining the Bahá`í faith to NMU students during the “Sacred Planet” series sponsored by the NMU Earth Keeper Student Team.
“When we look at nature, we see the name of God reflected in all of God’s creation – but in nature particularly we see that image of God in the same way we see the image of God in the human being,” Clarken told the students.
There are about 40 Bahá’ís in the Marquette area, 144,000 in the United States and six million around the world, said Clarken, the director of the NMU School of Education, associate dean of Teacher Education and professor.
Rev. Tesshin Paul Lehmberg, a Soto Zen Buddhist priest, told the NMU Sacred Planet forum how 2,500 years ago “the Buddha sat under a tree” called the Bodhi Tree until he discovered “the root of suffering – and how to rid one’s self of suffering.”
“The leaf of the Bodhi Tree is one of the symbols of Buddhism, said Lehmberg, head priest of Lake Superior Zendo, a Zen Buddhist temple in Marquette, MI. “It’s shaped a little bit like a poplar leaf but it’s got kind of a little tail – like a heart with a tail.”
“It’s said the descendants of this Bodhi Tree are still alive, probably because we want them to be alive. We want this connection between us and the Buddha 2,500 years ago,” said Lehmberg, who is also an English professor at Northern Michigan University.
“The natural world is very important in Buddhism, particularly in Zen,” said Lehmberg, the co-chair of the EarthKeeper Implementation Team.
Rev. Lehmberg told the forum a story about Dogen, a Japanese Monk who founded Zen Buddhism in the Thirteenth Century.
“When Dogen would dip water from a stream or a well to drink, he would always pour half of it back,” Lehmberg said. “He would pour half of it back as a sign of respect for the natural world, as a symbol that he is a part of the natural world and must treat that natural world with great care.”
Lehmberg said that “Lake Superior Zendo was honored to once again participate with other EarthKeeper congregations in this important work.”
“We must – we absolutely must – care for mother earth,” Lehmberg said.
“Human life, literally and figuratively, is inseparable from mother earth,” Lehmberg said. “We are inextricably threaded to her – in caring for her, we care for ourselves.”
Negaunee Township resident Ronald Heikkila spent several days this week planting 31 red pine seedlings around his home.
“What you do is to try not to get roots in their,” Heikkila said while planting tree number seven.
“Look at all the nightcrawlers,” Heikkila said “I can’t believe the quality of this soil – if you wanted to go fishing here would be the place to come.”
“I am going to get some good topsoil and put it in their – and if it rains a little bit, it’s going to settle the soil,” said Heikkila, his hands covered in black dirt.
On Sunday (May 3), eight Copper Country residents including two elementary school children, planted 12 trees in the 16-acre Calumet Township Waterworks Park on the shores of Lake Superior.
“We received permission from the Calumet township supervisor, Paul Lehto, to plant the trees,” said Susan Rokicki. “We gave three (seedlings) to township treasurer, Debra Aubin, to plant in her yard.”
“We supported the trees with sticks to keep them visible and safe,” Rokicki said. “We will return from time to time to see if our dozen need anything.”
A natural fit with the interfaith EarthKeepers, some of the planters are members of Soka Gakkai International (SGI) Buddhist Network’s Copper Range district.
The three SGI members are Susan Rokicki, Jorge Kurita and Jean Larson; plus friends Margo McCafferty-Rudd, Joseph Mihal and Maureen Tobin, and children Max Rudd and Rebecca Naumenko.
The SGI Buddhist network “actively promotes peace, culture and education through personal transformation and social responsibility, originating in Japan,” said Rokicki, who is restoring a Norwegian Lutheran Church in Calumet and is a Lutheran church pianist/organist.
“We are one of the originators of the Earth Charter and the act of planting and dedicating trees is embedded in our tradition,” Rokicki said.
In Sault Ste. Marie, Father Bob Aldrich blessed seedlings at the St. James Episcopal Church. Some of the trees were planted in front of the church by by Father Aldrich with help from Rev. Larry Rice, deacon; and sexton David Cook, said Pam Briglio, the St. James office administrator.
In Escanaba, MI EarthKeeper volunteers – from the First Presbyterian Church and the Central United Methodist Church – separated and bagged 1,000 trees.
In Cornell, 100 red pines were planted Wednesday night (May 6) at a camp about 12 miles from Escanaba owned by Paul and Denise DeHaan, who are members of the First Presbyterian Church in Escanaba.
“We planted approximately 100 trees on an area of clear cut land,” said Presbyterian Earth Keeper Jill Martin of Ford River Township.
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Paul DeHann said his daughter Maggie “will remember planting these trees and come out here as an adult to see them quite a bit bigger.”
DeHann gave strict instructions his daughter that the planted area would now be off limits to ORVs because the trees needed protection to grow. Jill and her husband Hal Martin then walked along the Ford River to check out the water levels.
A member of First Presbyterian Church in Escanaba, Martin said on May 3 children at her church “planted three trees into planters in the sanctuary.”
Martin said a young girl jumped over a planted seedling so that when the tree was big she could say: “I jumped over that tree.”
“The message was that seedlings are like child trees, when we plant them, we nurture them and watch them grow up to be big and we love the kids and trees like crazy,” Martin said.
“Many people told me they were going straight out to camp or the farm to plant the trees,” Martin said.
A Presbyterian member of the EarthKeeper team, Martin said the project made her feel “like the tree lady this year.”
Martin said Monday (May 4) a young man playing tennis shouted out: “Hey, I planted my trees.”
“Many people paused in thought when I suggested that a Red Pine could live 400 years,” said Martin, an environmental scientist with Wilcox Professional Services in Escanaba. “It is a wonderful feeling when you know that 400 years into the future this simple act in God’s creation could still be here as testament to our faith.”
In Marquette, Lutheran Pastor Tim Bernard blessed the same group of trees three times on Sunday (May 3) during two services at Messiah Lutheran Church and one service at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.
“These trees have been blessed three times which is a very Trinitarian number – they will grow profusely and abundantly,” Rev. Bernard joked at the final service evoking laughter from the congregation.
Dozens of second grade children ages 7 and 8 spent the week planting seedlings they were given Saturday (May 2) during a rehearsal of their first communion the next day at St. Michael Catholic Church in Marquette.
“Dear God, bless these trees in the name of all that is holy and divine – Amen,” said Rev. Monsignor John “Jed” E. Jenkins while forming the sign of the cross and sprinkling holy water on the seedlings that were then given to the children. “We sprinkle them with this holy water as a sign of the blessing.”
Giving trees to the St. Michael students to commemorate their first communion “is sponsored by our Christian Service Committee here at the parish,” said Sally Luft of Marquette, a committee member. “The committee sees to the needs of the concerns of our environment and of the needy among us.”
In Sagola, MI, a rainbow appeared over the Grace Presbyterian Church as about 30 EarthKeeper volunteers spent three hours bagging 1,500 seedlings.
The trees were blessed by Rev. David Anderson and then prepared to be delivered or picked up by seven other churches including Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian and a non-EarthKeeper but welcomed congregation – the Mission Covenant Church in Foster City.
The Presbyterian and Catholic volunteers in Sagola came in all ages and included three generations of one family. Young children were taught by adults how to properly bag the seedlings and as the night ended the kids scurried around the church picking up pine needles to help with the clean up.
Sue Piasini of Sagola said her two-year-old grandson Mason Anderson planted trees at his home in Felch and on Tuesday (May 5) outside her office at the North Dickinson Head Start Center.
“Mason put every tree into every whole he was told – he was so cute,” Piasini said. “He watered the trees with the watering can.”
Mason is the son of Fawn and Steve Anderson of Felch.
At the North Dickinson Nordic Head Start, students planted trees with help from preschool assistant classroom coordinator Mary Beth Schuiteman of Kingsford, MI and preschool classroom coordinator Sue Piasini.
Above photos by Alex Schuiteman
Schuiteman is a member of First Presbyterian Church in Kingsford. Piasini is a member of the Grace Presbyterian Church in Sagola and was coordinator of the distribution of 1,500 trees to churches of several faiths in Dickinson County.
Schuiteman is a member of First Presbyterian Church in Kingsford. Piasini is a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Sagola and coordinated the distribution of 1,500 trees to numerous churches of various faiths in Dickinson County.
A group of volunteers planted several trees in Michigamme, MI at the United Methodist Church Camp Michigamme.
Late Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan Bishop James Kelsey was remembered at several events during the tree planting including at the Page Center. One of the bishop’s favorite places, the Kelsey Cottage is named in his honor at the recreation and retreat area in Little Lake, MI.
Members of the Episcopal Ministry Discernment Team representing the 27 congregations of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan gathered at the center on May 2 “for a time of reflection and fellowship.”
Two red pine trees were planted on either side of the main entry to the Kelsey cottage, one seedling was planted in memory of Bishop Kelsey, and the second as symbol of diocese renewal.
Members present included Nancy Auer, Judy Britton, Susan Harries, Mary Johnson, Kathy Lenten, Charlie Piper, Rayford Ray, Suzanne Ray, Sharon Stenglein, Mary Sullivan, and Bob Trautman.
Bishop Kelsey, one of the founders of the EarthKeepers and the first signer of the interfaith EarthKeeper Covenant, was killed in a June 2007 traffic accident that claimed two lives.
“I think he’d try to find a place for a tree in his own yard for one and he’d want to plant one at the Page Center at one at the office,” said Jane Cisluycis, Diocesan Operations Coordinator. “He’d be really pleased. Since his mantra was about inclusiveness, the fact that the circle is widening would have been really important to him.”
Kelsey would be “pleased that the EarthKeepers are getting stronger and continuing and more people are getting involved – it hasn’t stopped,” said Kathy Lenten a member of the diocese Episcopal Ministry Support Team.
The EarthKeeper Tree Project “had people of all ages and faiths working together towards another common goal; improving the Great Lakes environment that we live in,” said Lindquist, who co-founded the EarthKeeper Initiative with Rev. Jon Magnuson, the executive director of the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute in Marquette.
“Every EarthKeeper project furthers the long term Great Lakes protection and restoration goals of the Superior Watershed Partnership,” Lindquist said.
The tree projects fits well with the goals of the Superior Watershed Partnership including its other projects like protecting water quality and preventing erosion, said Natasha Koss, Superior Watershed Partnership development director.
Trees are a “symbol of life and they represent something that is living and something we can easily put into the ground,” Koss said.
Trees are a sign “of how well the environment is doing,” said Larry Pagel, Messiah Lutheran Church congregation president. Humans “are connected to the earth through our trees.”
In addition to providing oxygen, trees have practical benefits like offering recreational opportunities including providing shade on a hot day, said Pagel, an NMU business professor.
That simple act of sitting under trees is a uniquely human desire that will be fulfilled for centuries to come because of the planting project, said Bishop Skrenes.
“Just think of the people that will sit under these trees, admire these trees, look at these trees and breathe the oxygen produced by these trees – just think of all those people for centuries ahead,” Skrenes said.
Experts say 12,000 mature trees absorb 3 million pounds of carbon dioxide annually and produce enough oxygen to support 24,000 humans.
EarthKeeper background:
This is the fifth year that the U.P. EarthKeepers have launched an Earth Day environment project.
From 2005-2007, over 15,000 U.P. residents turned in more than 360 tons of household hazardous waste at a dozen collection sites across the U.P. Most of the items were recycled and the remainder was properly disposed under federal guidelines including electronic waste (e-waste) like computers, monitors and printers plus cell phones, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, herbicides, oil-based paint and vehicle batteries.
Last year the EarthKeepers provided a household energy conservation checklist that prevented over 3 million pounds of carbon from being released into the atmosphere, Lindquist said.
This rainbow appeared late in the day on April 30, 2009 over the Grace Presbyterian Church in Sagola as an interfaith group prepared seedlings for planting. It was taken by many as a sign that the 2009 interfaith EarthKeeper Tree Project was a good thing being done by people who care. (Photo by Jessica Schultz)
The 2009 Sacred Planet series sponsored by the Northern Michigan University EarthKeeper Student Team
Earth Day 2009 along Lake Superior in Marquette, MI
Bishops, faith leaders bless, plant 1st of 12,000 trees
(Marquette, Michigan) – Despite a major snowstorm a day earlier, bishops and leaders from northern Michigan’s largest faith communities planted the first of 12,000 trees during an Earth Day ceremony on the shores of Lake Superior.
Standing on a hillside surrounded by huge pine trees two bishops and several other faith leaders blessed a three-foot native species white spruce tree and took turns putting shovels full of dirt into the hole.
With a cold wind blowing and icy waves of Lake Superior crashing in the background, the Earth Day 2009 late afternoon blessing of the trees ceremony was held on Presque Isle – that is surrounded on three sides by the largest freshwater lake on the planet.
The storm dumped up to 20 inches of snow in parts of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, however several weeks of mild weather ensured the ground was not frozen.
Anticipating the cold April weather, organizers earlier decided to plant the rest of the trees on Sunday, May 3 when the weather is more appropriate for planting the 12,000 12-to-16-inch seedlings at numerous locations across northern Michigan including 100 churches and temples.
Superior Watershed Project Executive Director Carl Lindquist explain how his nonprofit organizations has handled some of the technical aspects of the many EarthKeeper projects since 2004. The EarthKeeper Initiative co-founder, Lindquist said EarthKeeping ideas are spreading to other communities. (Photo by Greg Peterson)
The concept of “EarthKeeping goes beyond the Upper Peninsula” because throughout the Great Lakes states “we’re having a ripple effect” as people and groups “are replicating the work that the EarthKeepers have done here,” said Carl Lindquist, SWP executive director. “They are patterning their events after some of the successful programs we have had here.”
Leaders from northern Michigan’s largest faith communities gathered in the Presque Isle Pavillion to speak to those gathered for the Earth Day 2009 event.
EarthKeeper Initiative co-founder Rev. Jon Magnuson, the NMU Lutheran Campus Ministry pastor, talks about the effectiveness of faith communities to turn out volunteers for environment projects (Photo by Greg Peterson)
“This is very much a marvelous moment in the life of our work together as faith communities,” said Rev. Jon Magnuson, CTI executive director and EarthKeeper Initiative co-founder.
“This is another step in our interfaith work,” Magnuson said. “We have found an expression of our faith in very, very hands-on work like this the EarthKeeping Tree Project.”
The EarthKeeper team includes ten faith traditions (Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Baha’i, Jewish, Zen Buddist, Quakers) with over 150 participating churches/temples, the nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership (SWP), the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute (CTI), and the NMU EK Student Team.
Meanwhile, the next day Thurs., April 23, several EarthKeeper faith leaders spoke about the project and protecting the environment to students at Northern Michigan University.
It was the final of numerous “Sacred Planet” events on campus sponsored by the NMU EarthKeeper (NMU EK) Student Team.
NMU EK leaders Ben Sheelk, speaking above, and Sarah Swanson joined faith leaders for the Earth Day tree blessing, coordinated the Sacred Planet series, and the entire team will help plant the 12,000 trees.
Singing, drums and guitar music were a big part of the final Sacred Planet lecture series at NMU.
Those speaking at NMU were Dr. Michael Grossman of Jewish Temple Beth Sholom in Ishpeming; Rev. Tesshin Paul Lehmberg, head priest of the Zen Buddhist temple Lake Superior Zendo; Catholic EarthKeeper Kyra Fillmore, the project faith community communications coordinator; and Dr. Rodney H. Clarken, chair of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Marquette. (Above photos by Greg Peterson)
The faith leaders spoke to members of the Marquette media inside the Presque isle Pavillion just prior to the tree blessing ceremony.
All humans “are called to be steward’s of God’s creation – and no matter what faith tradition we come from that responsibility lies with us human creatures,” said Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette Bishop Alexander K. Sample.
Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette Bishop Alexander K. Sample speaks to reporters prior to the tree blessing on Earth Day 2009. (Photo by Greg Peterson)
“Those of us endowed with intelligence and with the ability to choose good and avoid evil,” said Bishop Sample, who oversees 94 U.P. parishes and missions with 61,000 members.
Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette Bishop Alexander K. Sample, pictured center in front of the tree, holds a blue bible he used during the blessing of the trees on Earth Day 2009. (Photo by Greg Peterson)
Holding an open bible, Bishop Sample said the book of Revelations “speaks of the life-giving power of water and how the tree draws its life from the water.”
Bishop Sample said he grew up in the desert southwest and “didn’t see a lot of water” or the “beauty of the forests and trees.”
Sample said “I truly thought I had entered paradise” when he moved with his family to the Upper Peninsula at the age of 17.
Northern Great Lakes Synod Lutheran Bishop Thomas A. Skrenes of Marquette speaks to the media, above, on Earth Day 2009 and a short time later leads a blessing outside, below, for the first of 12,000 trees that the interfaith EarthKeepers will plant across northern Michigan on May 3. (Photos by Greg Peterson)
“This whole movement has focused on how the faith communities can work together to preserve this great gift that we have here in the Upper Peninsula – this great watershed and it’s wonderful combination of lakes and streams – and forests everywhere,” said Northern Great Lakes Synod Lutheran Bishop Thomas A. Skrenes.
“Trees cover the earth and trees are part of healing the earth,” said Skrenes, the head of 94 U.P. Lutheran congregations with 40,000 members.
The Earth Keeper’s ten faith communities have “various ways of doing things and looking at life” but “come together for this important task,” said United Methodist Church (UMC) Marquette District Superintendent Grant R. Lobb.
United Methodist Church (UMC) Marquette District Superintendent Grant R. Lobb told the media that the EarthKeeper Tree Project will be planting thousands of gifts for the next generation. (Photos by Greg Peterson)
“We are glad to be part of EarthKeepers,” said Lobb, whose district has 8,372 parishioners and 60 northern Michigan congregations.
“Planting a tree is a gift for the next generation and the generation beyond that,” Lobb said. “We are going to be giving thousands of gifts for the generations to come.”
Reverend Tesshin Paul Lehmberg, the EarthKeeper Implementation Team co-chair, is pictured above talking about the environment and the Zen Buddhist faith.
The head priest for the Lake Superior Zendo temple in Marquette, Lehmberg is pictured below adding soil to the base of the tree, and blessing the tree with folded hands. (Photos by Greg Peterson)
The head priest for Lake Superior Zendo, a Marquette Zen Buddhist Temple, said “the trees – in effect – will be planting us.”
“We consider ourselfs very fortunate to be participating with EarthKeepers – if we are going to accomplish anything we (all faiths) need to come together,” said Reverend Tesshin Paul Lehmberg, EarthKeeper Implementation Team co-chair.
Baha’is believe that “nature is to be respected and protected as a divine trust for which we all answerable,” said Dr. Rodney H. Clarken, chair of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Marquette.
“How great it is to be in this beautiful community of Marquette in these very beautiful surroundings” and “celebrate together with our friends, colleagues and our co-religionists in our various faiths traditions” while “saving and celebrating of God’s creation,” Clarken said.
There are about 40 Bahá’ís in the Marquette area, 144,000 in the United States and six million around the world., Clarken said.
REMEMBERING LATE EPISCOPAL BISHOP JIM KELSEY, THE ULTIMATE EARTHKEEPER
Two employees of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan couldn’t help reflect on what the event would have meant to late Bishop James Kelsey, one of the founders of the EarthKeepers and the first signer of the interfaith EarthKeeper Covenant.
“I think he’d try to find a place for a tree in his own yard and he’d want to plant one at the Page Center and at one at the office,” said Jane Cisluycis, Diocesan Operations Coordinator. “He’d be really pleased.”
“Since his mantra was about inclusiveness, the fact that the circle is widening would have been really important to him,” said Cisluycis, referring to the recent addition of another faith tradition to the EarthKeepers “The more people included the better.”
Pictured above on top left, Jane Cisluycis, Diocesan Operations Coordinator; and Kathy Lenten a member of the diocese Episcopal Ministry Support Team; are pictured sharing a smile while remembering late Bishop Jim Kelsey.\
Bishop Kelsey loved God, his family, his friends, the EarthKeepers, his serene Page Center, people and life.
Bishop Kelsey would be “pleased that the EarthKeepers are getting stronger and continuing and more people are getting involved – it hasn’t stopped,” said Kathy Lenten a member of the diocese Episcopal Ministry Support Team.
Kelsey was killed in a traffic accident about six weeks after he and thousands of Episcopalians participated the April 2007 EarthKeeper Pharmaceutical Clean Sweep.
On Sunday June 3,2007, Kelsey had visited services at diocese churches in the far eastern U.P. when he lost control of his vehicle on the long drive home. He is fondly remembered as the “Earth Bishop.”
Marquette Unitarian Universalist Congregation (MUUC) celebrant coordinator Nancy Irish said “the image of people of all ages and faiths across the Upper Peninsula planting 12,000 trees in their respective sacred spaces is a most beautiful and fitting one to us – if an image were a sound it would be like a glorious interfaith choir singing to our pretty planet.”
“The connection with and stewardship of the earth is central to Unitarian Universalism,” Irish said.
Imitating the adults who were covering the spruce roots with shovels full of dirt, a 6-year-old boy grabbed the shovel and put in his share of soil into the hole.
Dakota “Cody” Farwell is the son of Frank and Laura Farwell, who are members of St.Paul’s Episcopal Church in Marquette. The family moved to Marquette from Madison,Wisconsin in 2006.
“Cody loves trees,” said Laura, a former adjunct professor and Fortune 500 business consultant who now volunteers with the Labrador Education and Rescue Network.
Cody said “trees are good – they are plants.”
“I shoveled a scoop of dirt,” the precocious youngster said apparently enjoying the excitement he created in the crowd including smiles on the faces of the faith leaders.
The trees were purchased or donated by the U.P. EarthKeeper team, SWP, Holli Forest Products, the Forestland Group, Plum Creek Timber Company and Meister’s Greenhouses, said Lindquist, EarthKeeper Initiative co-founder.
Some groups and individuals have donated money to help the tree project including Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Western U.P. Chapter 30918 in Ironwood, Michigan.
In addition to providing oxygen trees are important for other scientific, economic and practical reasons from soil health to being “fun for children to climb,” said Presbyterian Earth Keeper Jill Martin of Ford River Township.
“They have a substantial cooling effect on summer temperatures particularly the deciduous trees,” said Martin, an environmental scientist with Wilcox Professional Services in Escanaba.
“They are also important from a biological integration standpoint – they help sustain the ecological web from the soil organisms to birds that nest in their trees,” Martin said.
“Trees are a big part of the economic commerce of this part of the world,” Martin said. “The upper Midwest is very tightly integrated to the forest as a sustainable resource.”
“Presbyterians view ourselves as servants in gods world and this effort is service to sustaining God’s world, ” said Martin, a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Escanaba.
Respecting a tree: SWP Executive Director Carl Lindquist digs a hole for the blessing of the spruce tree and after the ceremony makes sure the soil and other conditions are perfect. (Photos by Greg Peterson)
It is not too late to request trees, organizers said.
“We cannot guarantee the number or species of trees but we want all faith communities to participate,” said Catholic EarthKeeper team member Kyra Fillmore, the project’s communications coordinator for faith communities.
“This is about more than putting trees in the ground it’s an expression by the faith communities of love and care for God’s creation.”
Experts say 12,000 mature trees absorb 3 million pounds of carbon dioxide annually and produce enough oxygen to support 24,000 humans.
This is the fifth year that the U.P. EarthKeepers have launched an Earth Day environment project.
From 2005-2007, over 15,000 U.P. residents turned in more than 360 tons of household hazardous waste at a dozen collection sites across the U.P.
Most of the items were recycled and the remainder was properly disposed under federal guidelines including electronic waste (e-waste) like computers, monitors and printers plus cell phones, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, herbicides, oil-based paint and vehicle batteries.
Last year the EarthKeepers provided a household energy conservation checklist that resulted in over 3 million pounds of carbon being reduced.
The Media: Two Marquette newspapers and two Marquette TV stations covered the blessing of the trees on Earth Day 2009.
The EarthKeepers thank all the national, state and local media who have spread the word about our projects over the past five years, (Photos by Greg Peterson)
Unable to attend the blessing ceremony and living two hours from Marquette, Episcopal EarthKeeper team member Nancy Auer of Houghton, MI said there are good reasons to plant trees “in a region of the country known for trees” including minimizing the effects of logging.
“We harvest those trees,” Auer said. “Every tree has value in that they absorb our carbon emissions and those carbon emissions are increasing therefore we need more trees.”
“God asks us to be stewards the earth and it can be as simple as planting a tree,” Auer said.
David McCowen, a member of Lake Superior Friends one of two Quaker groups in the U.P., said trees provide “wind breaks, wildlife habitat, fuel source, and a cellulose fiber source.”
McCowen said “it is easy to take trees for granted” in the U.P. because “trees are a major part of the surroundings that we love.”
“Faith communities have the privilege and responsibility of unselfishly considering the natural environment as being inherently desirable,” McCowen said.
An annual Jewish holiday celebrates the blossoming of the almond trees in Israel at the start of spring, said Dr. Constance Arnold, president of the board for Temple Beth Sholom.
“Tu B’Shvat is a very ancient holiday we observe yearly,” said Arnold. “This is a reminder of the importance of trees.”
Arnold said Tu B’Shvat marks the “New Year of Trees”and Jewish customs include tree planting and eating dried fruits and nuts during an evening meal.
“We get together on that day and have something to eat from as many of the fruits of the tree as you can come up with,” Arnold said. “We bring apricots, cherries, olives, dates, pomegranates and cinnamon.”
The EarthKeeper Tree Planting Project is “another opportunity to work cooperatively with God and nature to replenish the earth,” said Pastor Dave Anderson of Grace Presbyterian Church in Sagola and chaplain for the Dickinson County Healthcare System.
The EarthKeeper Covenant signer on behalf of all northern Michigan Presbyterians, Rev. Anderson said planting trees is important because “there is so much harvesting going on just for profitability” and planting a tree “can stand in contrast to a materialistic mindset.”
“Trees can be enjoyed for their beauty and charm, without always having to be seen for their market value,” Anderson said. “Let’s plant this year to beautify the Earth and to enjoy God’s creation for the right reasons.”
Andersons’ Southern U.P. church is going green in many ways and the congregation can’t wait to help.
“I am thrilled about this – when my kids were little they planted trees,” said Sue Piasini, a member of Grace Presbyterian in Sagola and the mother of four grown children. “Now the tree they planted are huge – they’re about 20 feet tall.”
Planting the trees is “like coming full circle,” said Piasini, a Presbyterian EarthKeeper team member from Channing, Michigan.
“We’re so lucky and blessed to live in beautiful area” with beautiful forests, said Piasini, who is helping coordinate the tree project for numerous Dickinson County churches of all faiths including in Felch, Kingsford and Iron Mountain “We’re going to plant one tree in our church yard and dedicate it and inspire our people” and the rest of their share of the seedlings will be given to church members and others.
“Our church is going green and we are getting rid of all Styrofoam cups and plates” used during the weekly coffee hour after the service,” Piasini said. “You can’t imagine all the Styrofoam that is thrown away.”
“We are only going to use biodegradable paper products,” said Piasini, adding the church is trying to arrange a free energy audit to with a “goal to be more energy efficient.”
Catholic EarthKeeper team member Linda O’Brien said “from the beginning of time God has called us to be good stewards of the earth.”
“Our Catholic tradition allows us to embrace the EarthKeeper Tree Project as a way to continue our good stewardship of the earth,” O’Brien said.
Congregations can still request trees by calling Catholic EarthKeeper Kyra Fillmore, the project faith community communications coordinator, at 906-228-2388.
For tree planting information contact the SWP at 906-228-6095.
Non-profit InterfaithEarth Healing Initiative: Numerous environment projects across the Great Lakes Basin in cooperation with the EPA, American Indian Tribes and local governments
Earth Day 2009 & The interfaith Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper Tree Project:Faith leaders bless and plant the first of 12,000 trees across the Upper Peninsula
The Earth Day 2009 interfaith EarthKeeper Tree Project “Blessing of the Trees” ceremony was held next to the pavillion at Presque Isle, a popular Marquette, Michigan nature area – that is surrounded on three sides by Lake Superior. Faith leaders blessed a three-foot native species white spruce – the first of 12,000 trees to be planted across the Upper Peninsula on May 9 at over 100 churches and temples. (Photo by Greg Peterson)
On Earth Day 2009 near the shores of Lake Superior, northern Michigan bishops and other faith leaders explain the connection between religion and protecting the environment to Marquette reporters including from two TV stations – WBUP/WBKP TV 5&10 and WLUC TV-6 – and two newspapers – the Mining Journal in Marquette and the U.P. Catholic. (Photo by Greg Peterson)
(Marquette, Michigan) – Despite a major snowstorm a day earlier, bishops and leaders from northern Michigan’s largest faith communities planted the first of 12,000 trees during an Earth Day ceremony on the shores of Lake Superior.
Standing on a hillside surrounded by huge pine trees two bishops and several other faith leaders blessed a three-foot native species white spruce tree and took turns putting shovels full of dirt into the hole.
With a cold wind blowing and icy waves of Lake Superior crashing in the background, the Earth Day 2009 late afternoon blessing of the trees ceremony was held on Presque Isle – that is surrounded on three sides by the largest freshwater lake on the planet.
The storm dumped up to 20 inches of snow in parts of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, however several weeks of mild weather ensured the ground was not frozen.
Anticipating the cold April weather, organizers earlier decided to plant the rest of the trees on Sunday, May 3 when the weather is more appropriate for planting the 12,000 12-to-16-inch seedlings at numerous locations across northern Michigan including 100 churches and temples.
Superior Watershed Project Executive Director Carl Lindquist explain how his nonprofit organizations has handled some of the technical aspects of the many EarthKeeper projects since 2004. The EarthKeeper Initiative co-founder, Lindquist said EarthKeeping ideas are spreading to other communities. (Photo by Greg Peterson)
The concept of “EarthKeeping goes beyond the Upper Peninsula” because throughout the Great Lakes states “we’re having a ripple effect” as people and groups “are replicating the work that the EarthKeepers have done here,” said Carl Lindquist, SWP executive director. “They are patterning their events after some of the successful programs we have had here.”
Leaders from northern Michigan’s largest faith communities gathered in the Presque Isle Pavillion to speak to those gathered for the Earth Day 2009 event.
EarthKeeper Initiative co-founder Rev. Jon Magnuson, the NMU Lutheran Campus Ministry pastor, talks about the effectiveness of faith communities to turn out volunteers for environment projects (Photo by Greg Peterson)
“This is very much a marvelous moment in the life of our work together as faith communities,” said Rev. Jon Magnuson, CTI executive director and EarthKeeper Initiative co-founder.
“This is another step in our interfaith work,” Magnuson said. “We have found an expression of our faith in very, very hands-on work like this the EarthKeeping Tree Project.”
The EarthKeeper team includes ten faith traditions (Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Baha’i, Jewish, Zen Buddist, Quakers) with over 150 participating churches/temples, the nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership (SWP), the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute (CTI), and the NMU EK Student Team.
Meanwhile, the next day Thurs., April 23, several EarthKeeper faith leaders spoke about the project and protecting the environment to students at Northern Michigan University.
It was the final of numerous “Sacred Planet” events on campus sponsored by the NMU EarthKeeper (NMU EK) Student Team.
NMU EK leaders Ben Sheelk, speaking above, and Sarah Swanson joined faith leaders for the Earth Day tree blessing, coordinated the Sacred Planet series, and the entire team will help plant the 12,000 trees.
Singing, drums and guitar music were a big part of the final Sacred Planet lecture series at NMU.
Those speaking at NMU were Dr. Michael Grossman of Jewish Temple Beth Sholom in Ishpeming; Rev. Tesshin Paul Lehmberg, head priest of the Zen Buddhist temple Lake Superior Zendo; Catholic EarthKeeper Kyra Fillmore, the project faith community communications coordinator; and Dr. Rodney H. Clarken, chair of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Marquette. (Above photos by Greg Peterson)
The faith leaders spoke to members of the Marquette media inside the Presque isle Pavillion just prior to the tree blessing ceremony.
All humans “are called to be steward’s of God’s creation – and no matter what faith tradition we come from that responsibility lies with us human creatures,” said Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette Bishop Alexander K. Sample.
Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette Bishop Alexander K. Sample speaks to reporters prior to the tree blessing on Earth Day 2009. (Photo by Greg Peterson)
“Those of us endowed with intelligence and with the ability to choose good and avoid evil,” said Bishop Sample, who oversees 94 U.P. parishes and missions with 61,000 members.
Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette Bishop Alexander K. Sample, pictured center in front of the tree, holds a blue bible he used during the blessing of the trees on Earth Day 2009. (Photo by Greg Peterson)
Holding an open bible, Bishop Sample said the book of Revelations “speaks of the life-giving power of water and how the tree draws its life from the water.”
Bishop Sample said he grew up in the desert southwest and “didn’t see a lot of water” or the “beauty of the forests and trees.”
Sample said “I truly thought I had entered paradise” when he moved with his family to the Upper Peninsula at the age of 17.
Northern Great Lakes Synod Lutheran Bishop Thomas A. Skrenes of Marquette speaks to the media, above, on Earth Day 2009 and a short time later leads a blessing outside, below, for the first of 12,000 trees that the interfaith EarthKeepers will plant across northern Michigan on May 3. (Photos by Greg Peterson)
“This whole movement has focused on how the faith communities can work together to preserve this great gift that we have here in the Upper Peninsula – this great watershed and it’s wonderful combination of lakes and streams – and forests everywhere,” said Northern Great Lakes Synod Lutheran Bishop Thomas A. Skrenes.
“Trees cover the earth and trees are part of healing the earth,” said Skrenes, the head of 94 U.P. Lutheran congregations with 40,000 members.
The Earth Keeper’s ten faith communities have “various ways of doing things and looking at life” but “come together for this important task,” said United Methodist Church (UMC) Marquette District Superintendent Grant R. Lobb.
United Methodist Church (UMC) Marquette District Superintendent Grant R. Lobb told the media that the EarthKeeper Tree Project will be planting thousands of gifts for the next generation. (Photos by Greg Peterson)
“We are glad to be part of EarthKeepers,” said Lobb, whose district has 8,372 parishioners and 60 northern Michigan congregations.
“Planting a tree is a gift for the next generation and the generation beyond that,” Lobb said. “We are going to be giving thousands of gifts for the generations to come.”
Reverend Tesshin Paul Lehmberg, the EarthKeeper Implementation Team co-chair, is pictured above talking about the environment and the Zen Buddhist faith.
The head priest for the Lake Superior Zendo temple in Marquette, Lehmberg is pictured below adding soil to the base of the tree, and blessing the tree with folded hands. (Photos by Greg Peterson)
The head priest for Lake Superior Zendo, a Marquette Zen Buddhist Temple, said “the trees – in effect – will be planting us.”
“We consider ourselfs very fortunate to be participating with EarthKeepers – if we are going to accomplish anything we (all faiths) need to come together,” said Reverend Tesshin Paul Lehmberg, EarthKeeper Implementation Team co-chair.
Baha’is believe that “nature is to be respected and protected as a divine trust for which we all answerable,” said Dr. Rodney H. Clarken, chair of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Marquette.
“How great it is to be in this beautiful community of Marquette in these very beautiful surroundings” and “celebrate together with our friends, colleagues and our co-religionists in our various faiths traditions” while “saving and celebrating of God’s creation,” Clarken said.
There are about 40 Bahá’ís in the Marquette area, 144,000 in the United States and six million around the world., Clarken said.
REMEMBERING LATE EPISCOPAL BISHOP JIM KELSEY, THE ULTIMATE EARTHKEEPER
Two employees of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan couldn’t help reflect on what the event would have meant to late Bishop James Kelsey, one of the founders of the EarthKeepers and the first signer of the interfaith EarthKeeper Covenant.
“I think he’d try to find a place for a tree in his own yard and he’d want to plant one at the Page Center and at one at the office,” said Jane Cisluycis, Diocesan Operations Coordinator. “He’d be really pleased.”
“Since his mantra was about inclusiveness, the fact that the circle is widening would have been really important to him,” said Cisluycis, referring to the recent addition of another faith tradition to the EarthKeepers “The more people included the better.”
Pictured above on top left, Jane Cisluycis, Diocesan Operations Coordinator; and Kathy Lenten a member of the diocese Episcopal Ministry Support Team; are pictured sharing a smile while remembering late Bishop Jim Kelsey.\
Bishop Kelsey loved God, his family, his friends, the EarthKeepers, his serene Page Center, people and life.
Bishop Kelsey would be “pleased that the EarthKeepers are getting stronger and continuing and more people are getting involved – it hasn’t stopped,” said Kathy Lenten a member of the diocese Episcopal Ministry Support Team.
Kelsey was killed in a traffic accident about six weeks after he and thousands of Episcopalians participated the April 2007 EarthKeeper Pharmaceutical Clean Sweep.
On Sunday June 3,2007, Kelsey had visited services at diocese churches in the far eastern U.P. when he lost control of his vehicle on the long drive home. He is fondly remembered as the “Earth Bishop.”
Marquette Unitarian Universalist Congregation (MUUC) celebrant coordinator Nancy Irish said “the image of people of all ages and faiths across the Upper Peninsula planting 12,000 trees in their respective sacred spaces is a most beautiful and fitting one to us – if an image were a sound it would be like a glorious interfaith choir singing to our pretty planet.”
“The connection with and stewardship of the earth is central to Unitarian Universalism,” Irish said.
Imitating the adults who were covering the spruce roots with shovels full of dirt, a 6-year-old boy grabbed the shovel and put in his share of soil into the hole.
Dakota “Cody” Farwell is the son of Frank and Laura Farwell, who are members of St.Paul’s Episcopal Church in Marquette. The family moved to Marquette from Madison,Wisconsin in 2006.
“Cody loves trees,” said Laura, a former adjunct professor and Fortune 500 business consultant who now volunteers with the Labrador Education and Rescue Network.
Cody said “trees are good – they are plants.”
“I shoveled a scoop of dirt,” the precocious youngster said apparently enjoying the excitement he created in the crowd including smiles on the faces of the faith leaders.
The trees were purchased or donated by the U.P. EarthKeeper team, SWP, Holli Forest Products, the Forestland Group, Plum Creek Timber Company and Meister’s Greenhouses, said Lindquist, EarthKeeper Initiative co-founder.
In addition to providing oxygen trees are important for other scientific, economic and practical reasons from soil health to being “fun for children to climb,” said Presbyterian Earth Keeper Jill Martin of Ford River Township.
“They have a substantial cooling effect on summer temperatures particularly the deciduous trees,” said Martin, an environmental scientist with Wilcox Professional Services in Escanaba.
“They are also important from a biological integration standpoint – they help sustain the ecological web from the soil organisms to birds that nest in their trees,” Martin said.
“Trees are a big part of the economic commerce of this part of the world,” Martin said. “The upper Midwest is very tightly integrated to the forest as a sustainable resource.”
“Presbyterians view ourselves as servants in gods world and this effort is service to sustaining God’s world, ” said Martin, a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Escanaba.
Respecting a tree: SWP Executive Director Carl Lindquist digs a hole for the blessing of the spruce tree and after the ceremony makes sure the soil and other conditions are perfect. (Photos by Greg Peterson)
It is not too late to request trees, organizers said.
“We cannot guarantee the number or species of trees but we want all faith communities to participate,” said Catholic EarthKeeper team member Kyra Fillmore, the project’s communications coordinator for faith communities.
“This is about more than putting trees in the ground it’s an expression by the faith communities of love and care for God’s creation.”
Experts say 12,000 mature trees absorb 3 million pounds of carbon dioxide annually and produce enough oxygen to support 24,000 humans.
This is the fifth year that the U.P. EarthKeepers have launched an Earth Day environment project.
From 2005-2007, over 15,000 U.P. residents turned in more than 360 tons of household hazardous waste at a dozen collection sites across the U.P.
Most of the items were recycled and the remainder was properly disposed under federal guidelines including electronic waste (e-waste) like computers, monitors and printers plus cell phones, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, herbicides, oil-based paint and vehicle batteries.
Last year the EarthKeepers provided a household energy conservation checklist that resulted in over 3 million pounds of carbon being reduced.
The Media: Two Marquette newspapers and two Marquette TV stations covered the blessing of the trees on Earth Day 2009.
The EarthKeepers thank all the national, state and local media who have spread the word about our projects over the past five years, (Photos by Greg Peterson)
Unable to attend the blessing ceremony and living two hours from Marquette, Episcopal EarthKeeper team member Nancy Auer of Houghton, MI said there are good reasons to plant trees “in a region of the country known for trees” including minimizing the effects of logging.
“We harvest those trees,” Auer said. “Every tree has value in that they absorb our carbon emissions and those carbon emissions are increasing therefore we need more trees.”
“God asks us to be stewards the earth and it can be as simple as planting a tree,” Auer said.
David McCowen, a member of Lake Superior Friends one of two Quaker groups in the U.P., said trees provide “wind breaks, wildlife habitat, fuel source, and a cellulose fiber source.”
McCowen said “it is easy to take trees for granted” in the U.P. because “trees are a major part of the surroundings that we love.”
“Faith communities have the privilege and responsibility of unselfishly considering the natural environment as being inherently desirable,” McCowen said.
An annual Jewish holiday celebrates the blossoming of the almond trees in Israel at the start of spring, said Dr. Constance Arnold, president of the board for Temple Beth Sholom.
“Tu B’Shvat is a very ancient holiday we observe yearly,” said Arnold. “This is a reminder of the importance of trees.”
Arnold said Tu B’Shvat marks the “New Year of Trees”and Jewish customs include tree planting and eating dried fruits and nuts during an evening meal.
“We get together on that day and have something to eat from as many of the fruits of the tree as you can come up with,” Arnold said. “We bring apricots, cherries, olives, dates, pomegranates and cinnamon.”
The EarthKeeper Tree Planting Project is “another opportunity to work cooperatively with God and nature to replenish the earth,” said Pastor Dave Anderson of Grace Presbyterian Church in Sagola and chaplain for the Dickinson County Healthcare System.
The EarthKeeper Covenant signer on behalf of all northern Michigan Presbyterians, Rev. Anderson said planting trees is important because “there is so much harvesting going on just for profitability” and planting a tree “can stand in contrast to a materialistic mindset.”
“Trees can be enjoyed for their beauty and charm, without always having to be seen for their market value,” Anderson said. “Let’s plant this year to beautify the Earth and to enjoy God’s creation for the right reasons.”
Andersons’ Southern U.P. church is going green in many ways and the congregation can’t wait to help.
“I am thrilled about this – when my kids were little they planted trees,” said Sue Piasini, a member of Grace Presbyterian in Sagola and the mother of four grown children. “Now the tree they planted are huge – they’re about 20 feet tall.”
Planting the trees is “like coming full circle,” said Piasini, a Presbyterian EarthKeeper team member from Channing, Michigan.
“We’re so lucky and blessed to live in beautiful area” with beautiful forests, said Piasini, who is helping coordinate the tree project for numerous Dickinson County churches of all faiths including in Felch, Kingsford and Iron Mountain “We’re going to plant one tree in our church yard and dedicate it and inspire our people” and the rest of their share of the seedlings will be given to church members and others.
“Our church is going green and we are getting rid of all Styrofoam cups and plates” used during the weekly coffee hour after the service,” Piasini said. “You can’t imagine all the Styrofoam that is thrown away.”
“We are only going to use biodegradable paper products,” said Piasini, adding the church is trying to arrange a free energy audit to with a “goal to be more energy efficient.”
Catholic EarthKeeper team member Linda O’Brien said “from the beginning of time God has called us to be good stewards of the earth.”
“Our Catholic tradition allows us to embrace the EarthKeeper Tree Project as a way to continue our good stewardship of the earth,” O’Brien said.
Congregations can still request trees by calling Catholic EarthKeeper Kyra Fillmore, the project faith community communications coordinator, at 906-228-2388.
For tree planting information contact the SWP at 906-228-6095.
Non-profit InterfaithEarth Healing Initiative: Numerous environment projects across the Great Lakes Basin in cooperation with the EPA, American Indian Tribes and local governments
