We can no longer wait…

2018 Religious Leaders Statement on Climate Change

Global climate change is one of the most pressing moral challenges facing our world. Today, we call on Iowans to find and implement solutions to climate change.

As religious leaders representing diverse faith traditions in Iowa, we offer the following shared, core beliefs that compel, empower, and guide faithful action. As people of faith:

• We must act to solve climate change because it threatens our brothers and sisters in our neighborhoods, throughout our state, across our country, and around the world. We are all neighbors put at risk by a changing climate. • We can find solutions to climate change by embracing a spirit of hope. Earth sustains our lives. Creation provides a world of abundance. This abundance offers us the path out of our dependence on fossil fuels and the environmental destruction associated with greenhouse gas pollution. • We know climate justice requires we bear each other’s burdens equitably. It is not fair that climate change is affecting most those who are vulnerable and least able to adapt: the poor, the young, the elderly, the sick, and those living in developing countries. Solutions to climate change will unleash new economic opportunities the benefits of which must be shared equitably. • We are required to work with nature to find solutions to climate change. We are part of nature, not independent from it. Our call to be stewards of the Earth, to care for creation that nourishes us all, demands we work with nature rather than against it and share our first fruits with those who need them most. • We need to demand and offer leadership at the local, state, national, and international levels. We must pursue policies and strategies to address sustainable energy production and use, to change patterns of consumption, and to model new ways of living in communion with nature. Political leadership to solve climate change must focus on the common good. • We trust the scientific consensus that human activity is causing catastrophic global climate change. While healthy debate exists about how best to address climate change, the debate about whether or not humans are causing climate change has been resolved. Humans are causing it, and we are capable of fixing it.

Time is of the essence. We can no longer wait. Iowans must draw on the rich resources in our religious traditions to find and implement solutions to climate change.

505 5th Avenue, Suite 333 ~ Des Moines ~ Iowa ~ 50309 ~ 515-689-1112 ~ www.iowaipl.org

We can no longer wait…

2018 Iowa Religious Leaders Statement on Climate Change

Bishop Michael Burk The Right Reverend Southeastern Iowa Synod of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Episcopal Diocese of Iowa

Bishop Laurie Haller Reverend William Spangler-Dunning Resident Bishop Regional Minister and President Iowa Annual Conference of the United Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Methodist Church Upper Midwest

The Reverend Robert Houser Reverend Brigit Stevens Executive Presbyter Executive Conference Minister Presbytery of Des Moines Iowa Conference of the United Church of Christ The Most Reverend Richard Pates Bishop of Des Moines The Most Reverend Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines Bishop of Davenport Roman Catholic Diocese of Davenport

Religious Organizations

Rev. Anna Blaedel Pastor Michael Blair Jamie Loggins-Evans, Executive Wesley Center, Director Iowa City Decorah Center for Social Ministry Des Moines Rev. Le Anne Clausen de Montes Rev. David Glenn-Burns Iowa Faith Leadership Network Threehouse: a Wesley Foundation Patti McKee, Director Mason City University of Northern Iowa Catholic Peace Ministry Cedar Falls Des Moines President Jim Collins Sister Teresa Hadro, BVM President Mark Putnam Dubuque President, Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mount Carmel Pella Eloise Cranke Dubuque Methodist Federation for Social Matt Russell, Executive Director Action Iowa Chapter Sister Carmen Hernandez, PBVM Iowa Interfaith Power & Light Des Moines Sisters of the Presentation of the Des Moines Blessed Virgin Mary Charles Crawley, President Dubuque Rev. Dr. Dorothy Whiston Inter-Religious Council of Linn Interfaith Chaplain, Inside Out County Nancy Lister-Settle Reentry Community Cedar Rapids Hunger Action Advocate Iowa City Presbytery of Des Moines

505 5th Avenue, Suite 333 ~ Des Moines ~ Iowa ~ 50309 ~ 515-689-1112 ~ www.iowaipl.org

Religious Leaders

Imam Jaaphar Abdul Hamed Rev. Dr. Ramona Bouzard Rev. Dick Clark Muslim Community Organization Emerita, Walnut Hills United Methodist West Des Moines Waverly Church Urbandale Rev. Charles Adam Rev. Dr. Walter Bouzard St. Thomas More Wartburg College Rev. Mary Cole-Duvall Coralville Waverly St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church West Des Moines Francis Agnoli, OFS Rev. Lindsey Braun Roman Catholic Diocese of Plymouth Congregational United Rev. Elizabeth Colton Davenport Church of Christ St. Paul Congregational United Davenport Des Moines Church of Christ Oskaloosa Rev. Mike Andrew Rev. Jennifer Brooks Holy Trinity Lutheran First Unitarian Church Jim Cottingham, Clerk Iowa City Des Moines West Branch Monthly Meeting of Friends Sister Lou Anglin Rev. Candice Brown West Branch Sisters of Charity, BVM Capitol Hill Christian Church Dubuque Des Moines Rev. (Ret.) and Mrs. Jim and Barbara Dale Rev. Mara Bailey Rev. Leigh Brown First United Methodist Church Chaplain Coralville United Methodist Church Decorah Coralville Indianola Rev. Meghan Davis Rev. Wallace Bubar First Presbyterian Church Rev. Darline Balm-Demmel Central Presbyterian Church Newton St. Timothy’s United Methodist Des Moines Church Rev. Katie Dawson Cedar Falls Dr. Brian Campbell, Board President Immanuel United Methodist Church Iowa Interfaith Power and Light Des Moines Rev. Dr. Brian Beckstrom Des Moines Wartburg College Rev. Barb Dinnen Waverly Rev. Dr. Kathryn Campbell Trinity Las Americas St. John’s Episcopal Church United Methodist Church Rev. Dr. Beverlee Bell Mason City Des Moines Walnut Hills United Methodist Church Rev. Brian Carter Rev. Maureen Doherty Urbandale Iowa Conference of the United St. Andrew’s Episcopal Methodist Church Waverly Rev. William Bernau Des Moines St. James Lutheran Church Dennis R. Dowell, OFS Des Moines Sister Janice Cebula St. Elizabeth of Hungary Fraternity Sisters of St. Francis Fort Madison Rev. Rose Blank Clinton Lovely Lane United Methodist Teresa Dunbar Church Rev. John Chaplin Catholic Relief Services, Relationship Cedar Rapids Urbandale United Church of Christ Manager Urbandale Cumming Rev. Timothy Bonney Indianola First United Methodist Rev. Teressa Clark Deacon Dianne Wasson Eberhart Church Urbandale United Church of Christ Walnut Hills United Methodist Indianola Urbandale Church Urbandale

505 5th Avenue, Suite 333 ~ Des Moines ~ Iowa ~ 50309 ~ 515-689-1112 ~ www.iowaipl.org

Rev. Anne Edison-Albright Rev. Stacey Gerhart Sister C. Jean Hayen, BVM Luther College All Saints Episcopal Church Sisters of Charity, BVM Decorah Storm Lake Dubuque

The Right Rev. Christopher Epting Rev. Steve Godfrey Rev. Jonathan Heifner New Song Episcopal Church St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Coralville Des Moines Cedar Rapids

Rev. Lori Erikson Rev. Dr. Patricia Goldberg Rev. Nikira Hernandez-Evans New Song Episcopal Church Urbandale United Church of Christ Plymouth United Church of Christ Coralville Des Moines Des Moines

Dr. Ron Eslinger Dale Goodman Rev. Deb Hill-Davis Iowa Conference United Church of Retired Executive Director Unity Church of Ames Christ, Retired Staff Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Ames Des Moines Decorah Rev. Eishin Houghton Rev. Dr. Janet Everhart Rev. John Greve Des Moines Zen Center Simpson College Grace Episcopal Des Moines Indianola Cedar Rapids Rev. Chad Huebner Rev. Joan Farstad Rev. Debbie Griffin First Lutheran Church St. Andrew Episcopal Church Downtown Disciples Decorah Waverly Des Moines Rev. Christine Humrichouse Mary Ferring Rev. Ken Gross St. Mark’s United Methodist Church Retired Chaplain, Mercy Hospice Roman Catholic, Retired Iowa City Van Meter West Des Moines Sister Ann Jackson Kent Ferris, OFS Rev. Chet Guinn Sisters of the Presentation of the Director of Social Action Methodist Federation for Social Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Diocese of Action Hiawatha Davenport Des Moines Rev. Jonna Jensen Rev. Robert Fread Rev. Marcus Haack United Church of Christ Tri- Ripley United Church of Christ Trinity Episcopal Church Conference Ministries Hudson Iowa City Baldwin

Rev. Joan Fumetti Sister Marilyn J. Hagedorn, CHM Rev. Anita Johnson Interfaith Green Coalition Congregation of the Humility of Mary First United Methodist Church Des Moines Des Moines Iowa City

Linda Garcia Rev. Suzanne Hall Stout Rev. Eric Johnson Boundless Compassion First Christian Church West Des Moines Christian Church Urbandale Des Moines Urbandale

Deacon Robert R. and Donna L. Rev. George Hanusa Rev. Mark Johnson Gengenbacher Windsor Heights Lutheran Church Broadway United Methodist Church Holy Family Parish Des Moines Council Bluffs Fort Madison Rev. Muffy Harmon Rev. Scott Alan Johnson Rev. William Gentry The Cathedral Church of St. Paul St. Petri Lutheran Church First Congregational United Church Episcopal Story City of Christ Des Moines McGregor Rev. Randy Kasch Rev. Melissa Harris Southeast Synod Evangelical Rev. Laura Gentry Unity Center of Des Moines Lutheran Church in America Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church Des Moines Cedar Rapids Lansing

505 5th Avenue, Suite 333 ~ Des Moines ~ Iowa ~ 50309 ~ 515-689-1112 ~ www.iowaipl.org

Sister Lou Ann Kilburg Rev. Scott Lothe Deacon Michael McCarthy Sisters of St. Francis Iowa United Methodist Church St. Ambrose Cathedral Parish Dubuque Marshalltown Des Moines

Dr. Lisa Killinger Rev. Joel Love Rev. Kent McKusick Muslim Community of the Quad Union Congregational United Church Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Cities of Christ Ames Davenport Reinbeck Rev. Mary Beth Mardis-LeCroy Rev. Kirsten Klepfer Rev. William Lovin St. Paul’s United Church of Christ First Presbyterian Church Congregational United Church of Windsor Heights Grinnell Christ Iowa City Sister Janet May, OSF Rev. Russell Lackey Luther Memorial and Grand View Rev. John Ludwig (Sisters of St. Francis, Dubuque) University Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Sioux City Des Moines Moines West Des Moines Rev. Russell Melby Rev. Carmen Lampe Zeitler Bethesda Lutheran Wellspring Community Church Sister LaDonna Manternach Ames Des Moines Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Rev. Jill Michel Rev. Amy Zalk Larson Dubuque First Christian Church Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Coralville Decorah Rev. Dr. Matthew Mardis-LeCroy Plymouth Congregational United Rev. Dr. Valerie Miller-Coleman Rev. April Ulring Larson Church of Christ Plymouth Congregational United Evangelical Lutheran Church in Des Moines Church of Christ America Des Moines Decorah Rev. Karen Martens Zimmerly First Mennonite Rev. Rachel Mithelman Rev. Dr. Mary Lautzenhiser Bellon, Iowa City St. John’s Lutheran Church Ph. D. Des Moines Director, Office of Pastoral Care and Rev. Dr. James Martin-Schramm Counseling Luther College Rev. Robert Molsberry Iowa Annual Conference United Decorah St. Paul’s United Church of Christ Methodist Church Donnellson Urbandale Rev. Jennifer Masada New Song Episcopal Church Rev. Richard Moore Rev. Dave Lenth Coralville Evangelical Covenant Church Ossian Lutheran Churh Sloan West Union Rev. Steve Mathonnet-VanderWell Second Reformed Church Rev. Donald Morgan Rev. Louis Leonhardt Pella First Congregational United Church Roman Catholic Diocese of of Christ Davenport Dr. Mark Mattes Red Oak Lone Tree Theology Department Rev. Carol Myers Sister Joan Lickteig, Ph.D. Des Moines First United Methodist Church Sisters of the Presentation Iowa Falls Dubuque Rev. Daishin McCabe Buddhist Rev. Stacy Nalean-Carlson Rev. Nate Liedtke Zen Fields Glenwood and Canoe Ridge Lutheran New Life Lutheran Church Ames Churches Norwalk Decorah Rev. Jean McCarthy Rev. Dr. Martin Lohrmann Cathedral Church of St. Paul Wartburg Theological Seminary Episcopal Dubuque Des Moines

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Rev. Dr. Craig Nessan Rev. Suzanne Peterson Rev. Laura Robinson Academic , Wartburg Episcopal Church, Retired Plymouth Congregational United Theological Seminary and Pastor Des Moines Church of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Des Moines America Rev. Kristin Pike Dubuque Presbyterian Church Sister Sandra Rodemyer West Des Moines Sister of Charity, BVM Rev. Liane Nichols Urbandale St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Rev. William Poland Cedar Falls Iowa Conference of the United Rev. Lisa Ross Thedens Methodist Church First Presbyterian Church Rev. Dennis Nicholson, Retired Des Moines Rowley First United Methodist Church Indianola Rev. David Polich Rev. Kathryn Roys St. Bernard Catholic Church St. John’s Lutheran Rev. Roy Nilsen Osceola Grinnell St. Mark’s Lutheran Church West Des Moines Rabbi Jeff Portman Eric Rucker Agudas Achim Simpson College Campus Minister Rev. Gary Nims Iowa City Simpson College Grace United Methodist Church Des Moines Rev. Dianne Prichard Sister Joyce Rupp Hope Lutheran Church Servants of Mary Rev. Barbara Nish Dixon West Des Moines Des Moines Presbytery Des Moines Rev. Dr. Catherine Quehl-Engel Jean Sandstrom, Clerk Trinity Episcopal Church Des Moines Valley Friends Meeting Rev. Bill O’Connell Iowa City Des Moines St. Paul Presbyterian Church Johnston Rev. Ruth Ratliff Rev. Medea Saunders St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Center Chapel, United Methodist Sister JoAnn O’Connell Cedar Falls Church Sisters of Charity, BVM Indianola Evansdale Rev. Zuiko Redding Cedar Rapids Zen Center Dr. Kyle Schenkewitz Rev. Chris Olkiewicz Buddhist Wartburg College Windsor Heights Lutheran Church Cedar Rapids Waverly Windsor Heights Rev. Harley Refsal Rev. Mel Schlachter Rev. Paul Ostrem Luther College Episcopal Diocese of Iowa Southeastern Iowa Synod Decorah Iowa City Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Sister Mary Rehmann Rev. Lee Schott Iowa City Congregation of the Humility of Mary Women at the Well United Davenport Methodist Church Rev. Eric Pasanchin Prairie City Ankeny Presbyterian Church Rev. Julia Rendon Ankeny Crossroads United Church of Christ Rev. Michele Scott Indianola Olivet Presbyterian Church Sister Joy Peterson Cedar Rapids Sisters of the Presentation Rev. Sarai Rice Dubuque Presbyterian Imam Hassan Selim Des Moines Islamic Center of Cedar Rapids Rev. Pete Peterson, Retired Cedar Rapids Walnut Hills United Methodist Ann Robinson, Clerk Church Des Moines Valley Friends Meeting Dr. Robert Sessions Urbandale Des Moines New Song Episcopal Iowa City

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Rev. Jennifer Seylar Rev. Sarah Trone Garriot Rev. Dr. Kristin Wendeland Lovely Lane United Methodist Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wartburg College Church America Waverly Cedar Rapids Windsor Heights Rev. Kate West Rev. David Shogren, Retired Rev. Erika Uthe First Congregational United Church Grace United Methodist Church Southeastern Synod of the of Christ Johnston Evangelical Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine America Rev. David Sickelka Ely Rev. Bonnie Wilkerson Urbandale United Church of Christ St. Luke’s Episcopal Urbandale Rev. BJ Van Kalsbeek Ft. Madison Sunnybrook Community Church Rev. Diana Sickles Sergeant Bluff Rev. Nathan Williams St. John’s Lutheran Church Covenant Presbyterian Church Des Moines Rev. Trevor Vaughn West Des Moines Farmers Chapel United Methodist Rev. Jane Stewart Church Rev. Troy Winder New Song Episcopal Church Indianola Bettendorf Presbyterian Church Coralville Bettendorf Rev. Britt Vickstrom Rev. Karla Stoltzfus Detweiler Immanuel Lutheran Church Rev. Jay Wolin First Mennonite Church Davenport Unitarian Universalist Congregation Kalona of the Quad Cities Rev. Heather Wachendorf Davenport Rev. Hugh Stone Highland Park Christian Church Polk City United Methodist Church Des Moines Marcia Young Adel Past Conference President United Rev. Chris Waddle Methodist Women Elder Tom Stovall Nevada First United Methodist Dubuque Westminster Presbyterian Church Church Dubuque Nevada Rev. Dr. Roland Zimany Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rev. LeAnn Stubbs Sister Regina Wagner America Plymouth Congregational United Sisters of Charity, BVM Urbandale Church of Christ Dubuque Des Moines Rev. Terry Zimmerly Rev. Bob Ward First Mennonite Church Rev. Joseph Stutler Waukee United Methodist Church Iowa City Humanist Urbandale Marion Rev. Elizabeth Wartick Rev. Thomas Stratman Trinity Lutheran Church Roman Catholic Diocese of Tipton Davenport Davenport Rev. Melody Webb Maple Grove United Methodist Rev. Carol Sundberg Church Lovely Lane United Methodist West Des Moines Church Cedar Rapids Rev. Benjamin Webb All Saints Episcopal Church, Indianola Jean Swenson, Co-Chair West Des Moines Iowa Methodist Federation for Social Action Rev. Margaret Weiner Urbandale St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church Urbandale Rev. Judith Thayer New Song Episcopal Church Coralville

505 5th Avenue, Suite 333 ~ Des Moines ~ Iowa ~ 50309 ~ 515-689-1112 ~ www.iowaipl.org