Massachusetts Interfaith Call for Carbon Pricing

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Massachusetts Interfaith Call for Carbon Pricing As clergy and religious leaders in Massachusetts, we urgently call upon our elected representatives to enact legislation placing a price on carbon that reflects its costs to the climate, public health, and the economy. While we come from diverse religious traditions, we share the conviction of Pope Francis that we bear a moral and spiritual responsibility to respond boldly to the climate crisis. Climate change threatens not only future generations, but also the most vulnerable of our neighbors today. As Pope Francis has affirmed, “There is an u rgent need to develo p po licies so that, in the next few years, the emissio n o f carbo n dio xide and o ther highly po llu ting gases can be drastically redu ced.” These po licies, Francis insists, mu st assu re that “the economic and social costs of using up shared environmental resources are recognized with transparency and fully borne by those who incur them, not by other peoples or future generations.” Pricing carbon is a fair and effective way to strengthen our economy, encourage use of clean and renewable energy, and protect our children and neighbors from the worst ravages of climate change. A carbon fee sends accurate price signals to the market, and rebating the revenues on an equal per-person basis progressively benefits low-income residents. (For more information, see http://climate- xchange.org/carbon-pricing-basics/.) May we leave a legacy for which our children and grandchildren will bless us. Please use your vote, voice, and influence to put a price on carbon. Charter Signatories Rev. Laura Everett Rt. Rev. Gayle E. Harris Executive Director Bishop Suffragan Massachusetts Council of Churches Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts Rev. Dr. Jim Antal Rt. Rev. Roy Cederholm Conference Minister and President Retired Bishop Suffragan United Church of Christ in Massachusetts Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts Rt. Rev. Douglas J. Fisher Rev. Sue Phillips Bishop New England Regional Lead Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts Unitarian Universalist Association Rt. Rev. Alan Gates Rabbi Katy Z. Allen Bishop President, Jewish Climate Action Network Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas Rev. Wendy Bell Missioner for Creation Care Interim Minister Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts First Parish in Malden Rev. Kathleen McTigue Rabbi Ilana Foss Director Temple Beth Emunah Unitarian Universalist College of Social Randolph Justice Rev. Patricia Hayes Tomás Insua Brockton Global Coordinator United Church of Christ Global Catholic Climate Movement Rev. Dr. Robert R. N. Ross Fran Ludwig Consulting Minister Founder Universalist Unitarian Church of Brockton Connecting Catholics on Climate Rabbi Shoshana Meira Friedman Rev. C. Raymond Selker, O.F.M. Assistant Rabbi Director of Friary Worship Temple Sinai St. Anthony Shrine & Ministry Center Brookline Boston Roman Catholic Rev. Dr. Kenneth Downes Shelburne Falls Rev. Msgr. Paul V. Garrity American Baptist Pastor Lexington Catholic Community Sr. Pauline Leblanc, S.C.O Sisters of Charity of Ottawa Mariama White-Hammond Lowell Minister Roman Catholic Bethel A.M.E. Church, Boston African Methodist Episcopal Sr. Marie-Thérèse Browne, S.C.N. St. Katharine Drexel Parish Rev. Dr. Peter Lovett Roxbury/Dorchester Christ Church United Roman Catholic Lowell United Church of Christ Sr. Barbara Quinn, R.S.C.J. St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church Rabbi Robin Sparr Cambridge Temple Emanuel Lowell Sr. Eleanor MacLellan, R.S.C.J. Newton/Cambridge Rev. Sarah Stewart Roman Catholic First Unitarian Church Worcester John Bell Yenkuei Chuang Rabbi Susan Abramson Jane Gilman Temple Shalom Emeth Order of Interbeing Burlington Buddhist Rev. Barbara Threet Christina Leaño Minister Global Campaigns Coordinator Melrose Unitarian Universalist Church Global Catholic Climate Movement .

Copy Link

Recommended publications

John Lowe Family Circle
THE ANCESTORS OF THE JOHN LOWE FAMILY CIRCLE AND THEIR DESCENDANTS FITCHBURG PRINTED BY THE SENTINEL PRINTING COMPANY 1901 INTRODUCTION. Previous to the year 1891 our family had held a pic nic on the Fourth of July for twenty years or more, but the Fourth of July, 1890, it was suggested· that we form what vvas named " The John Lowe Family Circle." The record of the action taken at that time is as follows: FITCHBURG, July 5, 1890. For the better promotion and preservation of our family interests, together with a view to holding an annual gathering, we, the sons and daughters of John Lowe, believing that these ends will be better accom plished hy an organization, hereby subscribe to the fol lowing, viz.: The organization shall be called the "JOHN LO¥lE :FAMILY," and the original officers shall be: President, Waldo. Secretary, Ellen. Treasurer, "I..,ulu." Committee of Research, Edna, Herbert .. and David; and the above officers are expected to submit a constitu- tion and by-laws to a gathering to be held the coming winter. Arthur H. Lo\\re, Albert N. Lowe, Annie P. Lowe, Emma P. Lowe, Mary V. Lowe, Ira A. Lowe, Herbert G. Lowe, Annie S. Lowe, 4 I ntroducti'on. • Waldo H. Lowe, J. E. Putnam, Mary L. Lowe, L. W. Merriam, Orin M. Lowe, Ellen M. L. Merriam, Florence Webber Lowe, David Lowe, Lewis M. Lowe, Harriet L. Lowe, " Lulu " W. Lowe. Samuel H. Lowe, George R. Lowe, John A. Lowe, Mary E. Lowe, Marian A·. Lowe, Frank E. Lowe, Ezra J. Riggs, Edna Lowe Putnam, Ida L.
[Show full text]
Solar Is Working for Low-Income Communities
Solar is working for low-income communities More than 90 leaders from organizations working in low-income communities, religious congregations, and universities call on state officials to expand solar energy and ensure its benefits are available to all Wednesday, October 28, 2015 Dear State Leaders, As community leaders, religious and spiritual leaders, community development organizations, academics, and researchers, we urge you to take immediate action to lift the net metering caps and maintain access to the benefits of solar for Massachusetts residents from all walks of life. In recent years, solar energy has grown rapidly in Massachusetts, with major benefits for communities across the state. Solar is helping to reduce pollution, keep electricity costs under control, and boost the state’s economy. Thanks to falling costs, innovative financing models and virtual net metering, solar is increasingly affordable and available to everyone. In fact, a preliminary analysis shows that almost 40 percent of residential solar systems are installed in communities with incomes at or below the state median of $68,866, in addition to community shared solar or other virtually net metered projects that often serve low-income communities. In particular, low-income communities are currently benefitting from solar energy in several ways: • Solar is helping to reduce the carbon emissions fueling global warming, which threatens to have a disproportionate impact on low-income communities. Solar energy also decreases harmful forms of air pollution that affect public health, especially in urban areas and communities near fossil fuel facilities. • Solar is good for our economy. Massachusetts’ booming solar industry now supports more than 12,000 jobs.
[Show full text]
Bread of Life Impact ANNUAL REPORT 2020
Bread of Life Impact ANNUAL REPORT 2020 Bread of Life distributed about 1 million meals in 2019, helping stop hunger right here at home. BOL helps put food on the table so neighbors don’t have to choose between eating and paying for the other essentials of living. Food Pantries (serving 10 communities) • 666,924 meal-equivalents as groceries • 2,171 households • 6,087 men, women and children • 30,630 total number of visits • Located at 54 Eastern Avenue, Malden, and Everett City Hall • Open in Malden on Wednesday (4-6 pm) and Friday (2-4 pm) and in Everett every 3rd and 4th Thursday of the month • Receive groceries once per month • Serves neighbors from Malden (60%), Everett (32%), Medford (5%), Melrose (2%), and the remainder are from Stoneham, Saugus, Wakefield, Reading, North Reading and Winchester. • Ethnicities served include: 36% Asian, 26% Black, 16% Caucasian, 13% Other, 9% Latino Kathy is a senior citizen living at 89 Pearl Street in Malden. She likes to stay active and enjoys helping distribute the groceries BOL delivers every month to residents in her building. She says a lot of her neighbors also help to unload the truck and organize the grocery items. Kathy says that cereal, rice, pasta and milk are always snapped up by residents, but they especially appreciate the fresh vegetables and fruit. Over 40% of the food BOL picks up from the Greater Boston Food Bank is fresh produce. Senior Nutrition Outreach • 238,800 meal-equivalents as groceries • 665 vulnerable, low-income seniors living in subsidized housing complexes in Malden,
[Show full text]
As We All Know Only Too Well, This Past Winter Was…A Doozy
2016 Annual Report Providing free food for neighbors in need Bread of Life distributed about 1,056,000 meals in 2016 – an increase of 2.5% over the previous year - helping eliminate hunger locally. We invest our resources and volunteers in ending hunger right here in our neighborhoods. Low income families find it difficult to make ends meet – to pay for housing, utilities, medical costs, clothing, schooling, etc. and still have money for food. Rents and housing purchase prices are high. Many families have people working one or more part-time jobs with few or no benefits. Others are experiencing unemployment. Still others are living on Social Security, disability income, or Transitional Assistance income for families. BOL helps these families put food on the table so they can pay their rent or mortgage, utility bills, medical bills, and other essentials. Food Pantries: helping struggling families – our Malden Food Pantry (serving 10 communities) provided about 579,000 meals and our Everett Food Pantry provided about 100,100 meals in 2016 (as groceries). Our Malden Food Pantry served approximately 1,660 separate households last year, made up of about 4,730 men, women & children, with the total number of visits over the year being about 25,810. Our Malden Food Pantry is located at 54 Eastern Avenue, Malden, and is open every Wednesday (4-6 pm) and Friday (2-4 pm). We serve low-income people who are working or unemployed, retired, disabled or homeless. Malden families comprise about 60% of those served; Everett 31%; Medford 5%; Melrose 3%; and the remainder are from Stoneham, Saugus, Wakefield, Reading, North Reading and Winchester.
[Show full text]
The Revs. Christian and Kristin Schmidt
The Revs. Christian and Kristin Schmidt The Revs. Christian and Kristin Schmidt are UUCB's co-ministry candidates for our senior ministry position. Their academic, professional, and denominational and community activities are detailed below. *** Kristin Grassel Schmidt Academic Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, McDaniel College (formerly Western Maryland College); General Music. May 2004 Master of Divinity, with honors, Wesley Theological Seminary. May 2010 Date of Preliminary UU Fellowship: July 15, 2010 Ordained by Cedar Lane UU Church, Bethesda, MD, March 20, 2011 Professional Interim Co-minister UU Church in Cherry Hill, NJ September 2015 – present Director of Youth Ministry UUnited Youth Ministry October 2014 – June 2015 Consulting Minister Unity Church of North Easton August 2013 – June 2015 Assistant Minister First Parish in Milton July 2012 – June 2013 Minister in Residence Church of the Larger Fellowship September 2011 – March 2012 Assistant Minister King’s Chapel, Boston September 2010 – July 2012 Summer Minister Bay Area Unitarian Universalist Church June 2010 – August 2010 Intern Minister Bay Area Unitarian Universalist Church August 2009 – May 2010 Intern Chaplain Goodwin House, Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Department, Alexandria, VA June – August 2009 Membership Coordinator (part-time) Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church, Bethesda, MD September 2006 – June 2009 Senior Recruiting Specialist (full-time) VICCS Inc., Rockville, MD December 2005 – September 2006 Children’s Choir Director (part-time) Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church, Bethesda, MD Oct 2005 – April 2006 Personnel Associate (full-time) Whitman Associates, Washington, D.C. May 2005 – Sept 2005 Denominational and Community Activities • As a youth member of Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church between 1997 and 2001, served on the Youth Adult Committee, attended two General Assemblies as a voting delegate, sang in the adult choir for four years, and assisted in teaching the first grade Sunday School class.
[Show full text]
Annual Report 2021
Bread of Life Impact in 2020 ANNUAL REPORT 2021 Bread of Life (BOL) is the premier organization serving Malden and communities north of Boston with the aim of preventing and alleviating food insecurity. BOL has typically distributed 1 million meals per year to hungry, homeless and isolated people, with 1.5 million pounds of food distributed through our programs to residents of Malden, Everett, Medford, Saugus, Stoneham, Melrose, Reading, North Reading, Winchester, Wakefield, Revere, Chelsea and Winthrop. • Bread of Life food distribution doubled during COVID-19: Hundreds of volunteers and donors along with the staff of Bread of Life accomplished monumental things in 2020. They made sure friends and neighbors in thirteen communities had food on their tables in the midst of economic crisis, illness and death. Historically Bread of Life has served about 8,500 unduplicated individuals per year. With the COVID-19 crisis we have been serving two to four times as many people at a time at our food pantries and evening meals. At the start of the year, BOL was serving about 2,000 households per month, which grew to over 4,000 per month; 3,800 individuals served per month grew to 15,000 per month. Together we have been able to provide critical supports to tens of thousands of people who are struggling. • Malden Food Pantry: Bread of Life operates a food pantry in Malden that, pre-COVID, served residents from 10 communities: Malden, Everett, Medford, Saugus, Stoneham, Melrose, Wakefield, Reading, North Reading and Winchester. During COVID-19, Bread of Life converted the pantry to a weekly outdoors grab ‘n go distribution, serving residents from any community.
[Show full text]
1 Unitarian Society of New Haven Minutes of the Board Meeting of The
Unitarian Society of New Haven Minutes of the Board Meeting of the Board of Trustees July 15, 2014 Accepted August 14, 2014 Board Members Present: Mary Donohue, David Jones, Rod Groff, Alison Cunningham, Mary Losee, Dan Gelperin, Holly Hawkins, Russell Heinrich, Merrily Kaplan, Peggy Rae, Suzanne Miller Board Members Absent: None Also Present: Sandy Frawley M. Donohue called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm and P. Rae recorded the minutes. A quorum of Board Members was present, and the meeting proceeded with M. Donohue presiding. Consent Agenda Approval of Minutes of 6/12/14 and 6/17/14 Board Meetings. MOTION to approve; SECONDED; PASSED unanimously without dissent or abstention. Financial Report: Background Information on Pledges Finance Committee Chair S. Frawley presented information about pledging she feels may be useful to the Board and congregation when we address the matter of budget deficits and right-sizing our expectations for USNH’s operations and programs. Sandy distributed spreadsheets comparing USNH pledge figures for FY13-14 with those at other UU congregations, as reported on the UUA website. The data indicate USNH is a generous congregation, both in terms of the total amount pledged and the average pledge made per pledge unit (USNH had 267 pledge units). Average Pledge per Pledge Unit in various groups of UU Congregations Cong. in Cong. in Cong. with 300-399 members USNH Clara Barton District Mass Bay District (national) $1,816 $1,288 $1,582 $1,626 Detailed information on the congregations in each group can be seen on the spreadsheets, which are attached to these Minutes for reference.
[Show full text]
Episcopal Church
Nos. 14-556, 14-562, 14-571, 14-574 Supreme Court of the United States dNo. 14-556 JAMES OBERGEFELL, et al., and BRITTANI HENRY, et al., Petitioners, —v.— RICHARD HODGES, Director, Ohio Department of Health, et al., Respondents. (Caption continued on inside cover) ON WRITS OF CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT BRIEF FOR AMICI CURIAE PRESIDENT OF THE HOUSE OF DEPUTIES OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH AND THE EPISCOPAL BISHOPS OF KENTUCKY, MICHIGAN, OHIO, AND TENNESSEE; GENERAL SYNOD OF THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST; JEWISH THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY; RECONSTRUCTIONIST RABBINICAL ASSOCIATION; RECONSTRUCTIONIST RABBINICAL COLLEGE AND JEWISH RECONSTRUCTIONIST COMMUNITIES; UNION FOR REFORM JUDAISM; UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST ASSOCIATION; UNITED SYNAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM; AFFIRMATION; COVENANT NETWORK OF PRESBYTERIANS; FRIENDS FOR LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, AND QUEER CONCERNS; METHODIST FEDERATION FOR SOCIAL ACTION; MORE LIGHT PRESBYTERIANS; MUSLIMS FOR PROGRESSIVE VALUES; THE OPEN AND AFFIRMING COALITION OF THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST; PARITY; RECONCILING MINISTRIES NETWORK; RECONCILING WORKS: LUTHERANS FOR FULL PARTICIPATION; RELIGIOUS INSTITUTE, INC.; AND 1,900 INDIVIDUAL FAITH LEADERS IN SUPPORT OF PETITIONERS AND IN FAVOR OF REVERSAL JEFFREY S. TRACHTMAN KRAMER LEVIN NAFTALIS Counsel of Record & FRANKEL LLP NORMAN C. SIMON 1177 Avenue of the Americas JASON M. MOFF New York, New York 10036 KURT M. DENK [email protected] Attorneys for Amici Curiae No. 14-562 VALERIA TANCO, et al., Petitioners, —v.— BILL HASLAM, Governor of Tennessee, et al., Respondents. No. 14-571 APRIL DEBOER, et al., Petitioners, —v.— RICK SNYDER, Governor of Michigan, et al., Respondents. No. 14-574 GREGORY BOURKE, et al., and TIMOTHY LOVE, et al., Petitioners, —v.— STEVE BESHEAR, Governor of Kentucky, et al., Respondents.
[Show full text]
Bread of Life Impact in 2018
Bread of Life impact in 2018 Bread of Life distributed 1 million meals, helping stop hunger right here at home. BOL helps local families, senior citizens and individuals who are struggling financially put food on the table so they don’t have to choose between eating and paying for the other essentials of living. Our Malden Food Pantry (serving 10 communities) • 544,000 meal-equivalents as groceries • 1,400 households • 4,300 men, women and children • 24,400 total number of visits • Located at 54 Eastern Avenue, Malden • Open Wednesday (4-6 pm) and Friday (2-4 pm) • Receive groceries once per month • Serves neighbors from Malden (60%), Everett (31%), Medford (6%), Melrose (2%), and the remainder are from Stoneham, Saugus, Wakefield, Reading, North Reading and Winchester. Our Everett Food Pantry • 101,000 meal-equivalents as groceries • 500 households • 1,400 men, women and children • 5,200 total number of visits • Located at Everett City Hall, 484 Broadway, Ground floor • Open every 3rd and 4th Thursday of the month (3-5 pm) • Receive groceries once per month • Serves residents of Everett only • Operated through a grant from the City of Everett, Mayor’s Office and Office of Community Development Bessie is one of the 1,200 senior citizens for whom we provide free groceries during the year through our Malden and Everett food pantries. A low-income widow living alone, she finds the need to come to our pantry several times a year when things get tight. Since she uses a walker, this isn't easy for her but she has no choice.
[Show full text]
UUA Income Overview Rev
UUA Income Overview Rev. Lauren Smith, Director of Stewardship and Development Income Breakdown (based on FY20 actuals) APF $ 8,664,338 64% Restricted $ 1,449,112 11% Unrestricted $ 1,314,391 10% Bequests $ 1,053,933 8% Grants (Veatch) $ 975,000 7% TOTAL $ 13,456,774 100% Annual Program Fund 5 Year Attainment Rate 80.0% 71.6% 72.1% 72.6% 73.0% 69.1% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 ALL NEW APF Annual Program Fund 5 Year Attainment Rate 80.0% 71.6% 72.1% 72.6% 73.0% 69.1% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% $6,862,570 $7,211,400 $7,905,198 $9,083,497 $8,664,338 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 ALL NEW APF NEW APF Attainment data 2018 Income 2019 Income Change # Congregations Attainment more than 25% higher $360,614 $562,124 $201,510 49 Attainment higher 2019 (all) $1,589,420 $1,944,543 $355,123 200 No change $2,563,817 $2,649,334 $85,517 280 Attainment was lower in 2019 (all) $1,204,055 $852,906 -$351,149 150 Reduced attainment by at least 25% $506,467 $226,773 -$279,694 54 Attainment NEW APF Stats in CER, NER and SR Unitarian Church of Harrisburg, PA First Unitarian Church of Rochester, NY Church of the Larger Fellowship First Church in Salem, MA, Unitarian Universalist Unitarian Universalists of San Mateo Unitarian Universalist Church of Portsmouth (South Church) First Parish in CambriDge, MA First Parish in MalDen, MA First Parish of Arlington, MA First Unitarian Church of ProviDence, RI UU Church of Manchester, NH Bay Area UU Church in Houston, TX UU Meeting of South Berkshire (in Housatonic,
[Show full text]
2014 Annual Report (PDF)
Unitarian Universalist Association 2014 Annual Report Seven Principles There are seven principles which Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations affirm and promote: The inherent worth and dignity of every person; Justice, equity and compassion in human relations; Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations; A free and responsible search for truth and meaning; The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large; The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all; Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. Unitarian Universalism draws form many sources: Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life; Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to con- front powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the trans- forming power of love; Wisdom from the world’s religions which inspires us in our ethical and spir- itual life; Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God’s love by loving our neighbors as ourselves; Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit; Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature. These principles and sources of faith are the backbone of our religious community.
[Show full text]
2019 New England Region Honor Congregations As of 11/21/2019
2019 New England Region Honor Congregations as of 11/21/2019 UU Society: East of Manchester, Connecticut 10+ First Universalist Society in New Haven of New Haven, Connecticut 10+ Unitarian Fellowship of Storrs of Storrs Mansfield, Connecticut 10+ UU Society in Brooklyn, Connecticut, Inc. of Brooklyn, Connecticut Unitarian Society of Hartford of Hartford, Connecticut Unitarian Fellowship of Northwest Connecticut of Lakeville, Connecticut Shoreline UU Society of Madison, Connecticut UU Society of New Britain, Connecticut UU Church of Norwich CT of Norwich, Connecticut UU Congregation of Castine of Castine, Maine 25+ First Universalist Church of Yarmouth of Yarmouth, Maine 25+ UU Meeting House of Pittsfield, Maine of Pittsfield, Maine 10+ UU Community Church of Augusta, Maine UU Church of Brunswick of Brunswick, Maine Midcoast UU Fellowship of Damariscotta, Maine First Universalist Church in Rockland of Rockland, Maine Universalist Unitarian Church of Waterville, Maine of Waterville, Maine First Parish in Bedford of Bedford, Massachusetts 25+ The Dover Church of Dover, Massachusetts 25+ UU Fellowship of Falmouth of East Falmouth, Massachusetts 25+ First Congregational Unitarian Church of Harvard of Harvard, Massachusetts 25+ First UU Society of Middleboro of Middleboro, Massachusetts 25+ First Religious Society, UU in Newburyport of Newburyport, Massachusetts 25+ The North Parish of North Andover of North Andover, Massachusetts 25+ Unitarian Church of Sharon of Sharon, Massachusetts 25+ UU Church of Greater Lynn of Swampscott, Massachusetts
[Show full text]