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Sun rise on the
Capitol lawn (Left to right: Nancy
Richardson, Penn Yan; Mary Moore, Rochester; Nancy Marchetti, Rochester; Sue
Staropoli, Rochester; Penny Gardner, Honeoye; Linda Hanna, Rochester)
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The highlight, no doubt, was being with so many passionate and committed people of all faiths, connecting in our common vision of life and our oneness, beyond differences!
It was very similar to the power and beauty of the
Interfaith service here in Rochester on 9/21!
And the energy and joy of many groups coming together in NYC for the
People’s Climate March last fall. So many
beautiful expressions of the same core message – i.e. that we are one and it’s
up to us to create a new future! The
focus – Moral Action for Climate Justice - bound us together, in passion and
joy, in this work!
Leaving Rochester in a van at 5:15 on Wednesday, it was a
joy to share the experience with 5 other committed and fun women! Laughter and meaningful conversations filled
the van all the way to DC. I’m so
grateful to Linda Hanna who did all the driving and arranged our travel plans!
When we arrived we went to a beautiful service at a UU
Church – and then marched 3 miles with about 100 people to a park where we
witnessed the end (breaking the fast) of the Yom Kippur service that had been
celebrating there, before the interfaith vigil began.
What a moving experience it was to sit on the grass with a
couple hundred people from about 7:30-12:30 p.m.– listening to eloquent and
moving words, music and poetry of all traditions – from such a diversity of
faiths, ages, races, etc. It was magical
as I rested in the experience with the moon overhead, the lit capitol in view,
and enjoying the balmy night! And then 3 of us stayed on the grass with about
20 others overnight, as a vigil for the Pope’s message the next day. It was a bit uncomfortable (and chilly- but
not too cold), but it was just where I wanted to be! Every time I woke up to walk to the portapot
(that’s part of getting older!) – I felt hugely grateful, savored the
experience and said a prayer for the Pope and his/our mission.
We were up at 5 a.m. and had a choice – do we stay with the
rally (from 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on the mall) or go to use the tickets we had
from Louise Slaughter’s office to go see the Pope on the West lawn of the
capitol. We had agreed to meet the
others at 6 a.m. by the capitol, so that’s what we did. We were among many thousands on the lawn,
waiting from 6 a.m. until the Pope arrived at 10 to give his speech to Congress
(which we watched on large screens) and then come out to greet the crowd about
11. We did get to see him, from a
distance, on the balcony of the capitol.
After he left we made our way back to the mall where we
joined the Moral Action for Climate Justice rally. That was where I had an enlightening moment
– feeling…..”These (committed,
passionate folks!) are my people!!!”
I felt so much at home!! I had
been with thousands on the lawn but didn’t feel the connection or sense of
purpose that I felt with a much smaller number on the mall. We listened to speakers from many different
perspectives and organizations – and listened to passionate and fun music! That was the group I resonated with!! Lesson
learned - next time I’d make a different
choice. Waiting 4 hours on the lawn to
see the pope didn’t have the energy or focus or shared purpose of the rally!
But I was so grateful to be there and part of the collective voices being raised with Pope Francis for justice, peace and sustainability! I realized clearly that I had not gone to DC “ to see the Pope.” I had gone to be part of a collective voice to our legislators – that many people (their constituents) want them to hear the Pope’s message about climate justice and take action!
I’m so grateful to be part of the huge movement that is
growing throughout this country and the world!
Our hope really is in the fact that it is UP TO US! We ARE in the midst of the Great Turning! And Pope Francis – and so many others! – is
leading the way! The words of his
Encyclical really challenge us all – but gives us vision and hope as we engage
in action!
We are paving the way now for the Climate Summit in Paris in
December. We hope many others will join
us in contacting our legislators to support significant US action to reduce
carbon emissions and other steps to address global climate change. We are the greatest users of carbon, and need
to help developing countries who are being painfully affected by climate change
but have done little to cause it!
As
Pope Francis says, this really is a social justice and moral issue. The growing movement (led by 350.org and
Avaaz) is planning marches and rallies all over the world the weekend before
the Paris talks (Nov 28-29). Please plan
to participate!
