The devastation of our environment and global climate change represent the greatest challenge our species has ever faced. It will eventually impact everyone, but it is already impacting the most vulnerable and impoverished people, and countless species who share this planet we call home. Facing a challenge of this scale will require that we put all our collective resources and energy to solving it which is why I am joining so many others in asking my denomination, the PC(USA), to categorically divest from the fossil fuel industry, in order to be part of a global movement which refuses to profit from the destruction of God's creation. I know that such collective action doesn't arise unless it is first rooted in the embodied and courageous commitments of individuals willing to take extraordinary steps to raise the consciousness of their community. That is why I am taking part in the Walk for a Fossil Free PC(USA) which will go from Louisville, KY, our denominational headquarters, to St Louis, MO, the site of this year's General Assembly. We are walking 260 miles in two weeks from June 1st to 16th to prepare our bodies and our souls for this decisive moment in the church, and I ask you to help by financially supporting me in raising $5 for every mile of the walk.
It’s time for the denomination to put its money where its faith is. The PC(USA) must join the divestment movement that has already taken trillions of dollars out of the fossil fuel industry. By doing so, the denomination will no longer profit from an industry that has contributed to climate change. Hurricanes in Puerto Rico, drought in California, rising sea levels along the global coasts — natural disasters exacerbated by climate change which affect Presbyterians and all creation.
Our faith calls us to love God, creation, and neighbor with our whole selves, and June 1-16, 2018 we will love creation with each step we take. The PCUSA Walk for a Fossil Free World will take us from Louisville, Kentucky (the headquarters of the Presbyterian Church [USA]) to St. Louis, Missouri, in time for the PC(USA)’s 223rd General Assembly. Our goals are to:
- Call upon the PC(USA) 223rd General Assembly do divest from fossil fuels
- Center the voices and experiences of people already affected by climate change
- Reduce our own carbon footprint as we travel to GA
You're invited to join! More details about the Walk can be found at PCUSAwalk.org
| Supporters | |||
| Name | Date | Amount | Comments |
| Keepit Intheground | 06/15/2018 | $20.00 | With love from Sydney, Australia. Pumping fossil carbon into the atmosphere makes us all neighbours. | Sharon Edwards | 06/14/2018 | $15.00 | You can do it!!!! Thanks for walking for those of us stuck back in Oregon! | Marie Turner | 06/14/2018 | $50.00 | Thanks to you Aric and all the walkers for what you are doing | Mountain Home UMC | 06/13/2018 | $140.00 | from church donations | Andrew Fleming | 06/09/2018 | $100.00 | What you are doing is very cool and we wish you all the best and a blister-free time. | Holly Dhynes | 06/08/2018 | $95.00 | Last Sunday, Sherwood UMC collected $95 towards the cause and your walk goal. Godspeed and traveling mercies on your journey! | Jeanne Casey | 06/07/2018 | $25.00 | We appreciate all you do! | Carol McKennett | 06/06/2018 | $100.00 | Prayers for a successful walk! Brian and Carol McKennett | Kelly Freuler | 06/04/2018 | $50.00 | Good luck on this mission! | Marilyn Murphey White | 05/31/2018 | $100.00 | Anonymous Friend | 05/30/2018 | $10.00 | Larry Johnson | 05/29/2018 | $50.00 | Thank You for being God's voice and feet as this message is spread across the country. | Marcia Loney | 05/27/2018 | $50.00 | May every step and every mile make a difference. | Erich McNaughton | 05/14/2018 | $65.00 | Happy Birthday and donation day. We love you and support you. |
| Total | $870.00 | ||