Members of several parishes in the diocese as well as members of religious communities were among those on hand at an interfaith conference on the environment May 18 in Davis.

They came to celebrate the earth, and left inspired to live more simply so the world can continue to sustain life.

The conference, titled “Care for God’s Creation: Spirituality and Environmental Stewardship,” was

sponsored by Northern California Christian, Jewish and Islamic groups and non-profit

environmental foundations. The organizing committee for the event was a coalition of lay and religious leaders from Sacramento-area congregations.

"Once people have a spiritual awakening to the connection between degradation of the earth and the imperative to preserve what God made perfect for us, they will act,” according to event chairwoman Priscilla High, a member of St. James Parish in Davis.

St. James, which sent 15 delegates to the conference, was among the sponsors of the event.

“This is our effective way of bringing a reasoned theology, as well as a practical action, as to how churches might be involved,” said Father Daniel Looney, pastor of St. James, of parish support for the event.

In welcoming the more than 200 conference participants, he said churches have a mission to care for God’s creation.

“We share the conviction of the entrustment of the care of the garden planet of the universe, and today honor that sacred trust,” he said.

One of the ways environmental stewardship is at work in the St. James Parish community is in plans to use sustainable energy and natural resources in a major expansion project, the construction of the St. James Memorial Center.

Father Looney said the parish is preparing the roof to sustain photovoltaic panels, a system that directs sunlight to convert light to electricity.

St. James is also among a growing number of churches in the state that have signed a covenant with California Interfaith Power and Light (CIPL), a non-profit established to combat global warming. The program, formed by a statewide coalition of religious leaders, helps church communities be more energy efficient through a variety of efforts, including energy audits, building improvements and choosing green energy.

Deacon Bill Sousa, outgoing social justice coordinator for the Sacramento Diocese, has worked to encourage parishes and schools to sign the covenant and take advantage of green energy and solar panels through the Sacramento Municipal Utility District. Thus far, five schools and churches have joined CIPL.

Denise Johnston, one of several members of Rocklin’s Saints Peter and Paul Parish attending the conference, contended “We need to look beyond our little box we live in. We need to get uncomfortable, get out of our sheltered world. You do that when you gather in solidarity for an issue.”

Johnston is active in the social concerns ministry in her parish and views church sponsorship of a series of voluntary simplicity classes as effective grassroots environmental stewardship. Steve Davis, a fellow parishioner, teaches the classes to assist people in differentiating between wants and needs, to raise awareness about ways to live more simply.

“The classes are reflective—about discovering the balance to life, how to resist consumerism, and be more just in our lives,” said Davis, a science teacher in the Rocklin Unified School District.

Saints Peter and Paul also has begun offering a monthly video series to educate and raise awareness about social justice issues among parishioners.

Johnston serves as co-chairwoman of the Placer County Social Justice Advocates, which includes parishes in Roseville and Rocklin with plans to expand to Auburn, Lincoln and west Roseville church communities.

“We are getting to know one another better and getting more people interested in social justice advocacy,” she said. “Care for God’s creation is one of those social justice principles.”

Father Michael McKeon, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Roseville, was also a presenter at the conference.

“Our actions must be a testament to our awareness,” he said during closing remarks titled, “The Future Care of God’s Creation.” “Conferences such as this are places where we plant seeds and make connections.”

He said that while St. Rose has long made social justice advocacy an integral part of parish ministries, a greater emphasis now needs to be placed on the environmental component of the advocacy.

“It seems to me the whole question of neglecting that which sustains us all is shortsighted,” Father McKeon said. “We need to learn from nature…and gain a new understanding of what’s happening in our world.”

St. Rose parishioner Denise Sewart, who chairs the parish’s peace and social justice committee and co-chairs the Placer County Social Justice Advocates, was one of 15 people representing Placer County at the conference. Sewart, who was also instrumental in facilitating the parish’s participation in the Roseville Electric green energy program, said the parish’s social justice workshops paved the way.

“The environment was seen to be one of the most important issues, so we looked at what we as a parish might be able to do,” she said.

An energy audit identified cost-effective measures the parish could take, including replacing the heating and cooling systems in the church, school and parish hall. The parish is making changes to the lighting system and is considering installing photovoltaic panels in the parish hall.

“Sometimes things that are really worthwhile and valuable might not be the most economical choice to make, but still are the right choice to make,” Sewart said.

Other conservation actions include signing the Interfaith Power and Light covenant, offering voluntary simplicity classes, and possibly co-sponsoring an Earth Day in Roseville next year.

Mercy Sister Maura Power was one of three members of the Auburn regional community attending the conference.

“There was wonderful theological context to evolution and protecting the environment,” she said. “The conference was an opportunity for our parishes to get involved in caring for creation.”

Sister Power spoke of the pro-active approach toward preserving resources taken by her religious order.

“A main focus of attention in our action plan involves addressing environmental issues, such as conservation of water and electricity and promoting recycling,” she said. “All discussions of renovation or building include attention to energy conservation.”

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