On March 2nd, the Sustaining Creation Task Force of NIM met to discuss past and future environmental activities.  We want to get this information out because a lot is happening in the next few months, including some actions needed in the next week. Please pass this information on to your communities and encourage others to participate.  Mark your calendars for the next meeting of Sustaining Creation: April 26, Tuesday @ 7 PM at NIM, 7046 Germantown Ave.

There were several successful environmental events in the last month including:
•   Urban Organic Gardening Workshop -  60 participants & lots of ways to grow more vegetables
•   Electronic Recycling - 7,198 pounds of electronic items were responsibly recycled
•   Clergy Breakfast-  Representatives from 8 congregations gathered for breakfast and conversation on preaching and teaching on the issue of climate change (Next Clergy Breakfast is May 11, 9 AM @ Summit- Please come!)

Your support and advocacy on two key issues is needed in the next few weeks:
1. Fracking & Marcellus Shale - Gas extraction from the the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania raises many environmental issues.  "Fracking" is the hydraulic process being used to fracture rocks by drilling miles beneath the ground and injecting millions of tons of unknown and carcinogenic chemicals. There is evidence that fracking presents a danger to our land and water.  Jerry Silberman from Protecting Our Waters presented information on the current status and what we can do:
•   Learn about the issues: http://protectingourwaters.wordpress.com/
•   Attend and testify at a Public Hearing on hydrofracking on March 8, Tuesday, 5:30-7:30 at Phila City Hall
•   Write a letter to the Delaware River Basin Commission: Comment period was extended to 4/15 and we are urging that fracking stop until the completion of an EPA study. Go to:  http://bit.ly/drbcnatgas
•   See the movie "GASLAND" March 8, Tuesday, 7 PM, @ Germantown Jewish Centre, 400 W. Ellet St, Phila. Question and answer period following the film.
2. Support the Clean Air Act and Defend EPA's Right to Regulate - There is currently an attack on the Clean Air Act and EPA.  Please call Senator Bob Casey to urge him to defend The Clean Air Act and EPA's funding and right to regulate: 215-405-9660.  Please persist if the line is busy.

More environmental events and projects coming up this Spring:
•   April 10-11- Ground for Hope- Phila: An interfaith religious-environmental education & training event- Sign Up!
•   April 16- Vernon Park Clean-Up: Contact suemfinch@aol.com
•   May 1- Second Interfaith Green Fair: Be a sponsor and exhibitor and come- Contact: lknapp@netreach.net

⇒ Visit the Sustaining Creation Website & Calendar for more information, contacts, & flyers on Events: http://nimphilly.org/sustainingcreation

And more is being planned for this Spring:
- Farm Garden Plots- Help to grow local food for the homeless and needy in Phila. More info: salles.creativity@gmx.com
- Service Project at Child Care Center in Germantown. More info: mclark@ssjphila.org

We did spend sometime in small groups at the meeting sharing what was environmentally important to us and how these issues are treated in our congregations. It was clear that together, we can support each other in this important work of protecting our air, water, and planet. If there are any environmental projects in your congregation, let us know.  Let's continue to build on our momentum and reach out to our communities.

Greening Together,
Margaret Lenzi