I Pledge Allegiance to the Earth

At this time of reflecting on what it means to be a steward of the earth's resources - I came upon this beautiful, visionary pledge, created back in 1966 , by the Women's Environmental and Development organization:

"I pledge allegiance to the Earth
and to the flora (plants), fauna (animals) and human life
that it supports,
one planet, indivisible,
with safe air, water and soil, economic justice and equal rights and peace for all."

 Anita Wucinic-Turner

Anita is a St. Paul's parishioner and leader this fall of a series of informal classes on nonviolence open to all.

Creation Rights!!

On Sunday, September 21, people in New York City and around the world will take to the streets to demand real global action on climate change. St. Paul’s is supporting this effort by fielding a contingent for the People’s Climate March in downtown San Diego and by ringing our bells at 12 noon. I am very glad of these actions and proud of what we’ve accomplished at the Cathedral. There is also a lot more that we can and should do. I want to make the case for that from a slightly different angle.

When Mary, Sara, and I lived in Indiana, we were invited to my Episcopal priest’s home for dinner. This was a little after the Gene Robinson election and I remember the priest saying that this controversy over gays in the priesthood was a distraction from our real church mission. I suspect many of us heard similar arguments at the time. As I remember, I let the comment go, but thinking on it later (and I believe that I told him this later also) I came to the opposite conclusion. The movement for gays in the priesthood (and gay rights in general) was one of the most important things happening in our church and our culture, then as now. It represented what I call “an extension of the franchise”—equal treatment for yet another oppressed group in our society and, even more importantly, a broadening of how we understand ourselves, of what it means to be human.

I bring this up because, for me, the climate crisis and the environmental crisis (eco-system destruction, species extinction, ocean acidification, factory farming, etc.) point toward a further extension of the franchise, beyond the human, to include the rest of creation. The great lesson which I hope humanity will learn from this self-imposed crisis is that creation has its rights and “rules” which we ignore at our own peril. Human beings will continue to change creation, as we have since we first appeared on the planet. That change is part of creation’s unfolding. But, and this is a big “but,” it should be guided by an awareness that all created beings have an inherent dignity as created beings which should not be trampled in our pursuit of the good life.

Let me be clear—I am not saying here that an ant is as important as a person (gay or straight), but I am saying that when we act, we should consider how our actions will impact creation (including ants) and that this consideration be given much more priority than our civilization has previously allowed. Our economy, our political and cultural institutions, indeed all human structures are situated within the structure of the created world and we should do our best to bring our structures into harmony with what already exists—to work with it as much as possible not against it. That will mean big changes in how we organize ourselves and, even more important, how we see ourselves. So we must ring the bells in hope and concern, but we must also act for change—doing whatever we can to live out a yet more inclusive model of human, and for us Christians, Christian society.

Phil Petrie
 Convener, Simpler Living

The New Cathedral Garden

I want to thank everyone who helped out on my Eagle Scout project to replace the garden of grass and other plants at St. Paul's along Nutmeg St. and 6th Avenue into a drought tolerant garden. The project had some challenges but overall went well. It was very satisfying to get all the work done and see the finished garden.

Raising money was the first challenge. Although the plans were donated by a landscape architect (who also helped out), I was still responsible for buying plants, boulders and decomposed granite so the project estimate was high ($7000). No one in the history of troop 295 ever had to raise so much money for a project, and some people doubted that it could be done.

Thanks to the generosity of a lot of people at St. Paul's and friends and family from all over the country and beyond (I even received a donation from Singapore!), I was able to raise almost all the funds needed. I sent a lot of letters and passed out flyers and talked about the project after church and at group meetings. Some things cost more than expected, but thanks to Miramar Nursery, plants were affordable.

The first Saturday we cleared all the old plantings and prepared the site. The work went fast because we had trucks to move the old material to a dumpster across the street. We had over 50 people working and we finished early, even though we had a great lunch break BBQ. We thought we might finish early on the next weekend, but we didn't, even though 50 people came the second Saturday too. 


We had some unexpected challenges. These included dealing with a pipe that burst when someone hit it with a tool, an incomplete order of plants from the nursery that required an extra trip to pick them up, and difficulty matching the plants we bought with the plants on the plans.  Additionally, the decomposed granite was delivered in a pile right where we needed to plant, so we had to move it with shovels and wheelbarrows. The project required an extra day of work beyond the two we originally planned. Even though it was the last minute, we still had 25 volunteers on the third day! We finished the garden on Sunday at 8 pm, just in time for Dean Scott Richardson to see it before he left.

I could never have done this project without Bob Oslie and Christine Spalding, who helped me plan and execute the project starting in November. Also it could not have been done without many generous donations from people in the Cathedral and others from all around. And finally the garden would not have been finished without the hard work of so many volunteers from the Cathedral and my scout troop, my school, my parents' co-workers, and the community.

I have been in Boy Scouts since I was 6 years old. At times it has been challenge to continue because I disagree with some Boy Scout policies, which conflict with my beliefs about equality for all. But I was happy to do this project. Not only did this help out St. Paul's and improve our community, but importantly, I was able to bring together diverse groups with differing views to work together towards a common purpose.

This Sunday the garden will be blessed by the Bishop. I hope everyone will attend. Thank you everyone for your help!

-Gabe Hulbert

Help Gabe Hulbert re-landscape at St Paul's!

Dear SPC Friends,

I’m Gabriel Hulbert, a member of St Paul’s Cathedral and a Boy Scout in San Diego Troop 295. I am seeking the highest rank in Boy Scouts, Eagle Scout. This requires completion of an Eagle Scout project, which I plan to perform at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral.  But I need your support.

My Eagle Scout project seeks to assist our church community by replacing the grass and other plants at St. Paul’s with drought tolerant plants, in areas on Nutmeg St. and 5th and 6th Avenues (see the picture at right). By putting these plants in place, the water bill at St. Paul’s will be significantly lower than its current rate, the Cathedral will use fewer pesticides, we will occupy a smaller carbon footprint, and we will serve as an example of water wise gardening to our community (especially for adjacent Balboa Park).

You can see what we plan in the second photo. In 2009, the parking lot beds of the Cathedral were planted with drought tolerant plants but St. Paul’s did not have sufficient funds to continue around the church. My project will complete the installation.

I have scheduled the project to be completed on June 16th and June 23rd but I need your help! Many of the plants I plan to install are expensive, and to implement the project I must raise all the funds, estimated at over $7000.

I am writing this letter to ask you to donate any amount of money you can in order to help achieve this goal so that we can install this garden. Any donations to this project of any amount are greatly appreciated; as economic times are tough for many of us, no donation is too small. And any donation you make is tax deductible.

Here’s how to help: you can make a check out to St. Paul’s Cathedral or BSA Troop 295, Please put Gabe Hulbert Eagle Project in the note area of the check.

You can mail your check to: St. Paul’s Cathedral, 2728 6th Ave., San Diego, CA 92103 Attn: B. Oslie/C. Spalding, or to me at 6772 Elmore St., San Diego, CA 92111.

Donations of time are also welcome.  If you are in San Diego June 16th or June 23rd, I'd be grateful if you could come to St. Paul’s and volunteer to help complete the project!

If you have any questions feel free to contact me at gabe4padres@yahoo.com.

Thanks for your help!

-Gabe Hulbert

Simpler living: Moving San Diego Rally on 24 Sept

The folks of the Simpler Living ministry are part of a coalition, San Diego 350, working for clean energy to address climate change. A number of events are planned for Sept 24th including a rally in the Park and interfaith panel.  Look for some familiar faces in the video below!

Growing Justice and Faith: Ongoing discussion with updates

To support children’s growth as God’s beloved our small group covered various topics and checked out a variety of book titles to explore children’s spiritual development and Christian faith formation through creation care and eco-justice.

We viewed a delightful video of Rt. Rev. Mark Beckwith, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark, and his youth sermon on the role and vestments of the Bishop. When he showed the children the cross he wears, he stated that whether or not one wears a cross, “Jesus is always close to your heart, leading you, guiding you, and loving you. When you look at the face of people who love you, you are seeing the face of Jesus; that’s God’s promise.” Enjoy the children’s responses here.

NPR/American Public Media broadcasts the Spirituality of Parenting; and Rabbi Sandy Sasso states, “We sense that there is a spiritual aspect to our children's natures and wonder how to support and nurture that. The spiritual life begins not in abstractions, but in concrete everyday experiences. . . provide language for this spirituality and encourage conversation so the soul’s ‘muscles’ don’t atrophy as a child develops.” . This parent guide is also worthy of a study (PDF).

For 50 years, Search Institute in Minneapolis, its more recent Center for Spiritual Development and their framework of 40 Developmental Assets help families, schools, and communities to support children’s healthy development. The assets are displayed and practiced in St. Paul’s Godly Play room; and on line here (PDF)

Please join us Tuesday, June 29 at 7:00 PM in the Fireside Room as we continue our exploration, and tie these themes together in: Session TWO: We’re All Members of God’s Household – helping children connect to the natural world to experience the sacredness of all creation; using natural surroundings, and cultural, spiritual and religious roots to help children build a sense of place within God’s creation.

-Grace van Thillo



Update 1, 28 June 2010Tuesday, June 22, was the inaugural meeting of the Growing Justice and Faith summer reading study. Inpreparation for and in conjunction with this I have been reading in several books. From one, Living Simply with Children, I picked up the importance of sharing my valuing of creation care, or of living simply, or whatever this issue. This would be different from teaching or moralizing on what I believe. Rather it is telling my own story, if you will; how I have come to decide to act in a way that I believe is in harmony with my call to be a steward of God's creation.

In Joining Children on the Spiritual Journey, the author outlines several developmental theories - Erikson, Piaget, and includes the stages of moral development outlined by Lawrence Kohlberg. Human attachment is a requirement for moral development. "Moral development is enhanced when children are active participants in a setting where the discussion of viewpoints, values, and attitudes is encouraged, where the child's viewpoint is taken seriously." Communication of our "selves" is vital.

Frances Moore Lappe, writing in Liberation Ecology, describes six disempowering ideas that keep us from aligning with nature and six human traits we can rely on. Of the latter, one she calls "efficacy", the importance for us of taking action. It is possible for even the very young to enjoy taking an action, seeing the result, and feeling competent and useful. As in gathering leaves (and in the process "feeling" nature) and picking up some trash, helping to beautify and heal the environment. Being with their families in these activities strengthens relationships with others and with God as they are able to name and experience God at whatever stage of development they find themselves.

You can join us in reading these books even if you're not in the book study!
Carolyn Lief



Update 2: 1 July
It’s stimulating to hear excerpts from the diverse books and themes the book group is sharing. Session Two activities included an exploration of Genesis 2:4-25 linking God’s love for us and creation stewardship. Extending the theme to support children knowing they’re God’s beloved, we discussed opportunities and challenges for families and children to enjoy local natural landscapes to gain a sense of place, and to also strengthen cultural and spiritual roots.

We expressed the balance all of us need between using technology and taking time to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends; and how this helps to optimize children’s growth and their emerging identities. Local author, Richard Louv (Last Child in the Woods) vibrantly expressed, Everything Must Change on Youtube.

We are very fortunate to have Camp Stevens nearby in Julian. Check out their hands-on bio-diversity activities in agriculture/gardening that you and your family can enjoy - and Episcopal Summer Camps come alive in Coming to our Senses by Bill Slocumb (pdf).

For environmental and natural resource conservation organizations in San Diego explore here.

Exploring nature together enables creation to speak to our hearts with wonder and comfort. The book study continues with readings and discussion of Ubuntu - Self identity formed interdependently through community (Battle, p.1); and how collaborating for the common good helps to transform lives toward justice. Come join us – 7PM, Fireside Room, July 6 and 13.




Update 3 , 7/7/10
Comments on A Wing and a Prayer by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori

On p.112, she asks, "What stories can you tell about your experience of new life, abundance, and the overwhelming love of God"?

When I became an Episcopalian, I received "new life".......It made it possible to "come out”, acquire a sense of spirituality for the first time in my life, acquire a whole new group of healthy friends, and address various unhealthy behaviors. I had scoffed at Jimmy Carter's "born again" sensibilities, but I experienced it one Sunday at St. James Epis, Capitol Hill in 1984. When Fr. Downing said, "Come all ye who are heavy-laden............and I will refresh you" (Timothy).......I said "help", possibly the first sincere prayer of my life, and I felt the Holy Spirit wash over me! I'm convinced my life changed from that moment on. It was "overwhelming"! I hadn't been in a church in 10 years, and would have said I had no use for organized religion or spirituality. But after that day, I believed! I'm still not quite sure exactly what it is I believe, nor can I fully explain the unquestionably mystical nature of it all, but I know it's there!

p. 100, "Most of us spend our lives learning what the reality of resurrection looks like, feels like, sounds like and tastes like--because it keeps happening in new ways every day of our lives"

I think I've been metaphorically "resurrected" hundreds of times. Every Sunday at St. Paul’s (renewed and reinvigorated), through "Listening Hearts" when I witness that clarity of thought and the communication of the Holy Spirit that a discerner invariably displays at the end of a session (I just know that "something happens" in that room!), when my partner used to hug me and whatever anguish or non-spiritual discord I was experiencing simply flowed out of my body and left me utterly refreshed............the music at St Paul's "sounds like" it to me, as it carries me to other places and sometimes literally brings tears to my eyes....

From "An American Childhood" by Annie Dillard: p. 150, paragraph 3, as to what it feels like to be alive, "Knowing you are alive is watching on every side your generation's short time falling away as fast as rivers drop thorough air, and feeling it hit."

To me, this is "stay awake" or you'll miss it! Live in the moment, or miss the opportunity which may never come again. As with a river, we see this in nature everywhere, as it constantly changes.

Terry Kelly

Radical Acceptance: Growing Justice and Faith Group

We have this faith that supposedly says there is abundance, and we have this culture that at every turn says there is not enough and that you are not OK as you are. – Michael Schut

The Growing Justice and Faith Book Study begins Tuesday, June 22, 7:00PM, Fireside Room

Please respond to our first blog topic: Who We Really Are – How can we support children to know themselves and thrive as one of God’s beloved in Christ, being accepted, revered and nurtured for who they are?

Here’s a little background about how this topic came to light. At last summer’s General Convention I listened to Michael Schut, Episcopal Church Economic and Environmental Affairs Officer, express a profound insight from his book Money and Faith – the search for enough. It was an “aha” moment for me. He quoted Henri Nouwen reflecting upon Jesus’ responses to the three temptations and how “an identity based on success, popularity and power is a false identity – an illusion! You are not what the world makes you; but you are children of God.”¹

I also found this expressed in John Philip Newell’s One Foot in Eden looking at the stages of life from the Celtic tradition, “the gospel promise that at our birth we bear deep within ourselves the sacredness of God’s image; ‘the true light that enlightens every person coming into the world"(John 1.9). In this model of spirituality, Newell conveys that redemption is about freeing what he calls an original goodness or sacredness within us from all that harms or inhibits us. (Newell, pp 2, 13)

Wow! After reading Schut’s three books I prepared an outline for him about how supporting children’s attitudes and actions in social justice and creation care could help optimize children’s spiritual and total development; ideas perhaps for the next in his series of anthologies and study guides. He’s very supportive and asked, “Who is going to write this?” Gulp, I’ve never written a book before!

But the tugging at my heart continues. So I bought used books across the themes, and have a computer full of ideas and resources. We’re sharing this process with clergy, our Simpler Living group, Christine D’ Amico and children’s programming. The project is emerging interactively; and so book study participants will borrow the books, and we’ll dialogue and document the themes face-to-face and online. Revs. Scott and Allisyn are very supportive and gratefully Carolyn Lief is assisting; so this action in eco-justice with and for children and families makes the project real.

An excerpt from Thomas Merton’s prayer speaks to the moment: My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Please come join this hopeful endeavor - Grace van Thillo

1. Henri Nouwen, Here and Now: Living in the Spirit (New York: Crossroads Publishing, 1994), 134-135

Grace van Thillo