Did you know that East Shore sponsors monthly programs organized by 350/Eastside? Want to learn more about climate actions underway in our state, the country, and the world? For more information or to join 350 Eastside’s Mailing list, go to world.350/org/eastside/ On December 15th at 7:00, come join 350/Eastside and our Earth & Climate Action ministry team to learn more about:
Washington Can’t Wait Campaign: Updating the GMA for Today’s Challenges
Futurewise’s Washington Can’t Wait Campaign is an initiative to fight for action on climate change, environmental justice, and housing equity by passing the biggest changes to the Growth Management Act in three decades. Please visit the WA Can’t Wait Campaign website and plan to attend the December 15th 350 Eastside Community Meeting to learn more and get involved.
Washington Fair Trade Coalition
Hillary Haden, of the Washington Fair Trade Coalition will also attend the December 15, 350 Eastside Community meeting to brief people on the fossil fuel industry’s increasing use of free trade agreements to undermine climate action. In a nutshell: This July, the company TC Energy launched a suit against the United States under NAFTA challenging the Biden administration’s decision to stop the Keystone XL pipeline. They’re demanding $15 billion in compensation for their “lost expectation of future profits.” This is just one of dozens of similar trade suits challenging and undermining climate policies around the world. We have an opportunity to eliminate these attacks altogether, and Hillary will offer some information on how we can do that.
East King County Public Utility District Campaign
The Yes to EKC PUD campaign seeks to bring clean, reliable, and cheaper electricity to the East King County region. EKC PUD aims to take back public control over our electricity system. A public utility district will be subject to what we need rather than a system privately owned and controlled by foreign investors who live out of the country and aim to maximize profit. To learn more about this campaign, visit :https://ekc-pud.org/ We look forward to your joining us via Zoom on Wednesday, December 15th at 7:00 p.m. Join Zoom Meeting: 868 6945 1092, Passcode: 346353
During the last legislative session, ECAM endorsed the Washington Can’t Wait (WCW) campaign to pass legislation to update the Growth Management Act (GMA) to include planning for climate change, environmental justice, and housing equity.
Reminder: GMA, adopted in 1990, requires fast-growing cities and counties to plan for growth to avoid urban sprawl and protect our natural resources, including agricultural land. Cities and counties update their plans every 10 years, and the next update is approaching.
While the WCW proposed bills had strong support, they did not make it through both houses and need our support again in this upcoming January legislative session. Here is a quick summary of the bills.
HB1099 requires planning for climate-resilient communities, addressing environmental justice, and reducing vehicle miles traveled.
HB1220 requires planners to address affordable housing and to end race and income discrimination in housing. This bill was PASSED but failed to have funding appropriated to support the planning process. We need to SECURE that local funding this year.
SB5042 will close a loophole that allows for “illegal” urban sprawl. Currently, during the appeal period for a proposed expansion of a growth boundary, building permits can be issued for the expanded area. If expansion is not approved, the permits are grandfathered in so voila—urban sprawl.
WCW is advocacy-friendly, providing resources and links for contacting legislators and for registering support for bills once the legislative session has begun. It just takes a few clicks to register your support.
Thank you to all who gave so generously to the Na’ah Illahee Fund, recipient of East Shore’s Share the Plate collection during the month of October. Donations collected through East Shore were over $800 in addition to donations ESUC members sent directly via the NIF website.
As a follow-up to the visit of Susan Balbas, the NIF Director, to our October 3rd morning church service, we encourage you to learn more about their efforts to build indigenous community, culture and leadership.
You are cordially invited to attend their Blue Jay Festival, an annual festival which will be held this year virtually from November 15th to 20th. NIF is excited to host a collection of virtual events featuring indigenous stories, art, learning and conversation. All festival events are FREE and available via zoom. Feel free to join for one story or the whole week! (INSERT Festival Schedule.)
For more information and the link to their interactive festival schedule, please go directly to their website.
On Sunday, July 11, East Shore was honored with members of the Red Road to DC Totem Pole Journey who arrived in the afternoon for a blessing celebration of this year’s 20th anniversary journey. The 5,000 pound, 25 foot totem pole was carved from a 400-year-old cedar by members of the House of Tears Carvers in Bellingham. At the end of the journey across the U.S., the totem pole will be gifted to the Biden Administration and stand outside the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian before being transferred to a permanent location.
This year, the carvers have dedicated their travels to bringing awareness to social justice issues such as the need to protect indigenous sacred lands, the threats of the climate crisis and extractive industries, the impact of centuries of generational trauma, and the power of healing strength and community. Images represented on the totem pole depict Native heritage, stories, and mythologies. For example, the full moon at the top signifies Grandmother Moon as she watches over the earth’s waterways. The eagle symbolizes power and strength, and the Chinook salmon signals its important role in the lives of the indigenous people throughout our region.
At about 3:00, an audience of approximately 140 people burst into applause as the Red Road to DC crew pulled into the north parking area. As the crew organized their display, people were able take a close look at the totem pole and talk with other attendees. Mural painting, music and song, picture-taking and writing cards to the Biden administration added to the afternoon of inspiration and celebration!
The two-hour blessing celebration opened with a welcome to all by Rev. Steve Furrer as well as Board President Mike Radow. At the close of the event, Rev. Jennifer Alviar offered another blessing to send the Lummi off in a good way.
Duwamish elder, Ken Workman (Yayustubsh) then welcomed the Lummi onto Duwamish land in English, Lushootseed, and other languages spoken by Pacific Northwest tribes.
Lummi participants, Freddie Lane (Phreddie Xwenang Lane), Doug James (Sit Si Kadem) and Siam’ewlit, spoke eloquently of historical trauma and the need to protect indigenous sacred sites as well as the land, air and waters. Elected officials Lynne Robinson (Mayor of Bellevue), Patty Kuderer (WA State Senator, 41st District), Representative Vandana Slatter (48th District) and Janice Zahn (Bellevue City Councilor) responded by acknowledging that government must consult with the tribes more effectively and urgently address climate change along with other environmental challenges. Melanie Schambach, a social artist from Guatemala who is accompanying the Red Road to DC Journey, provided an 18’x18’ foot canvas mural she had created on which children and adults painted images and wrote messages.
Thanks to Eric Lane Barnes for making a video of all the photos submitted by East Shore members and friends in attendance.
We would like to acknowledge the special role that Beth Brownfield and Deb Cruz of Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship have played in amplifying the reach of Lummi efforts to engage the wider community. Through their efforts, members of East Shore and other Unitarian congregations in the Northwest and beyond, have learned from and connected with the Lummi. In addition, East Shore members have developed relations with other tribes, most notably the Duwamish on whose lands East Shore is situated. Our Land Acknowledgement recognizes this relationship and our responsibility to their homeland. In committing to the 8th principle, we hope East Shore will continue to strengthen our relations with local tribes and learn more about indigenous issues. Watch for future book groups, film showings, speakers, and programs which will help deepen our understanding and attain our goal. Bearing witness to the Red Road to DC journey is an important step in that direction.
A special thanks to the staff and congregants who shared their time and energy to make this a very special afternoon for all as we gathered together to honor the Red Road to DC Journey. Also to the East Shore Earth and Climate Action Ministry Team who endorsed the journey and is recognized on their page.
If you would be interested in getting more involved in exploring indigenous issues here at East Shore, please contact Lynn Roesch or Marilyn Mayers.
To learn more about the Red Road to DC Totem Pole Journey or make a donation, you can go to redroadtodc.org or watch this YouTube video.
Two recent articles about the Totem Pole Journey are:
ECAM and the Board of Trustees sign amicus brief in support of Our Children’s Trust lawsuit.
In 2015, 21 youth filed a constitutional lawsuit in US District Court for Oregon in which they were represented by Our Children’s Trust (OCT), a non-profit public interest law firm. The case is Juliana v US which argues that the federal government’s actions are causing climate change, thereby violating the rights of the younger and future generations to life, liberty and property under the US constitution. The youngest plaintiff is a Unitarian, and he received the UU Ministry for Earth Guardian of the Future award in 2018.
Other lawsuits are pending among various states. One such lawsuit, Aji Piper, et al v State of Washington, is claiming there is a fundamental right to a clean and healthy environment. Dan Von Seggern at the Center for Environmental Policy is drafting and filing a short amicus brief for petition of review with the Washington State Supreme Court to get the youth-led constitutional climate case heard in court.
Here is our statement of support: The congregation of East Shore Unitarian Church in Bellevue, WA, along with their Earth & Climate Action Ministry team, supports policies to ensure a healthy environment today and for future generations.
This was my first UUA GA. I registered to help with a booth sponsored by the UU Faith Action Team of Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL). CCL is a grass roots movement lobbying Congress for a carbon tax with all revenues returned to families on a per capita basis. This policy will reduce emissions, create jobs, and more than compensate low- and middle-income families for any increase in energy prices. The Energy Innovation and Dividend Act (EICD) has been introduced as HR2307, and CCL supports it.
I’m proud of the role Unitarians are playing in CCL in the following ways:
UU’s are the largest of all the CCL Faith Action Teams—185 UU’s and counting
2 of the 3 UU Members of Congress are co-sponsors of EICD: Judy Chu (CA-27) is a lead co-sponsor and Deborah Ross (NC02) is a sponsor.
As of June 2021: EICD has been endorsed by:
39 UU congregations, which includes ESUC.
2 State Legislative Ministry organizations (Florida and Maine)
19 UU Ministers.
If you want to learn more about CCL or joining CCL as a volunteer, visit the Citizens Climate Lobby website or contact Marilyn Meyers, Gregg Selby, Ann Fletcher, or myself—we are CCL’ers and also on ECAM here are ESUC.
