Earth Team
 ... creating awareness of the inter-connection of all things and sponsoring projects related to the environment & justice.

Our Mission
We are a group of committed Jubilant's working to co-create a sustainable future for the earth and all life.  We do this by raising our consciousness and empowering ourselves to pursue efforts that support environmental, economic and social endeavors that are earth honoring.

Our Objectives
To uphold our mission, we intend: 

• To create awareness and understanding of our inter-connectedness through education, discussion and study.
• To pursue activities which will connect us with each other and the natural world.
• To support our actions with prayers, love and meditation.
• To imagine and invent creative solutions to earth problems. As Einstein said “Problems often cannot be solved on the same level of understanding in which they were created.”
• To provide a way for others and ourselves to use time, skills and financial contributions to support local, regional and global projects.
• To transform our attitudes and actions to support the self-healing of the earth.  As Gandhi said “We must be the change we want to see in the world.”
• To simplify our lives and walk gently on the earth.
• To reach out and encourage others to join us in these actions.

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Earth Wisdom

• The environmental crisis is real.
• We have an ethical and spiritual obligation to respond to this crisis.
• We envision a better future and are empowered to make a difference in the world.
• Environmental issues are inseparable from social and economic justice issues.
• In our hearts, we have a deep knowing that the problems of humanity and the earth are solvable.
• We affirm that we are all one with God, each other, the earth and all life.
• Together we can develop the will to solve the problems of the earth using present resources and technology.
• We support non-violent actions.
• This work is an important priority. We are committed to the necessary effort to sustain life for future generations and ourselves.
• We affirm that living in harmony with natural cycles will increase our appreciation and enjoyment of life and enhance our well being.

So if you are passionate about the Earth and justice for all life, consider joining the Earth Team.  For further information and times and places of our meetings and events please send an
e-mail to earthteam@jubileecommunity.org. 

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Typical Activities
Hosting and sponsoring activities that educate the community about:

• Eco-justice/Social justice
• The New Cosmology
• Celebrating the Universe Story with dance, walk and movement
• Earth-friendly tips for simple living
• Outdoor experiences to explore our bioregion – The Blue Ridge Province of the Southern Appalachians
• Advocating for clean air and clean water
• Earth friendly products
• Earth awareness activities, e.g., hikes
• Sponsor earth awareness events with other groups
• Sponsor and participate in Organicfest

Recent Efforts:

• . Celebrated World Water Day by having Jubilants pool samples of water
  from many different sources. This symbol of connectedness was then blessed
  by both Howard Hanger and a Yoruba priestess. The was then purified for use
  in baptisms.
• . Used a segment from a Bioneers film about the oceans, explored
  Joanna Macy's "Truth Mandala," and made commitment pledges.
• . Hosted a community visioning session attended by 300 persons and led
  by Starhawk.
• . Conducted a series of 12 classes using Brian Swimme's inspiring
  video series "Creation of the Cosmos" together with music and ritual.
• . Keynoted the Mountain Area Interfaith Forum's Earth Day celebration.
  
• . Cosponsored a series of 7 classes on "Reconnecting with Earth" based
  on materials from the Northwest Earth Institute.
• . Cosponsored (with the Arts Team) the theatrical performance by the
  Affording Hope Project called "Leaps & Bounds" about "how faith speaks to
  our deepening ecological & economic crises."
• . Listened to local filmmakers who showed parts of their 2010 movie
  "On Coal River" on mountaintop removal.
• . Hosted the "Ashevillage Town Meeting" which focused on
  re-envisioning and planning a more sustainable city. (200 attendees heard
  speakers Starhawk, Julia Butterfly Hill, and others).
• . Assisted Riverlink in cleaning up the French Broad River.
• . Coordinated trail maintenance and other outdoor experiences.
• . Advocated for clean air and clean water legislation on local, state,
  and national levels.
• . Learned how restructuring utility rates in North Carolina could
  result in vast reductions of statewide energy consumption from Avram
  Friedman of the Canary Coalition.
• . Challenged Jubilants to conserve energy. Using an image of our
  mountain scenery covered by smokestacks and smog-each bit of "smog" was
  progressively removed by any Jubilant who had conserved energy, writing on
  the back of the gray paper what they had done (e.g., changed to compact
  fluorescents, took bus instead of a car, etc.).
• . Showed the film "Kilowatt Ours" and held brainstorming about energy
  conservation.
• . Pursued a "Take Back the Tap" (anti-bottled water campaign) that
  included showing the documentaries "Flow" and "Thirst," holding a
  comparative "Water Taste Test" on Earth Day. More than 100 Jubilants pledged
  not to buy bottled water.
• . Learned of anti-drought solutions from Sherry Ingram and about
  rainwater harvesting from Brad Lancaster.
• . Toured a home modeling sustainability with multiple rain barrels and
  raised bed gardens.
• . Over 5 Saturday mornings, conducted a series of "Earth Kinship"
  permaculture classes designed for youths and adults which covered natural
  building, water catchment, worm bins, composting, fruit trees, wild plant
  walk, and community gardening.
• . Distributed ideas from Interfaith Power & Light for observing a
  "Carbon Fast" for Lent.
  . Showing a series of environmental films, including "The Power of
  Community: How Cuba Faced the Challenge of Peak Oil."
• . Led discussion groups on Rob Hopkins' "Transition Handbook" as an
  introduction to the international Transition movement.
• . Heard from Dr. John Brock (Warren Wilson College's Environmental
  Studies program) about the evidence for climate change.
• . Explored "The True Cost of Coal" led by members of the Beehive
  Collective.
• . Studied the possibilities, benefits, and legality of green funerals
  and burials.
• . Sold such Earth-friendly products as CFLs and stainless water
  bottles, and fair trade products such as chocolates & coffees.
• . Sponsored a series on "Food as Sacred," celebrating the economic,
  environmental, and spiritual benefits of eating locally grown organic
  food-with Sr. Miriam Therese McGillis.

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Ways To Honor The Earth

• Turn off all unnecessary lights.
• Take quick showers instead of baths.
• Install water-efficient showerheads.
• Turn down your hot water heater.
• Recycle household items and use recycled products.
• Bring canvas bags to the grocery store.
• Drive low emission vehicles.
• Turn your lawn into a garden with all the species that are already there.
• Avoid chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
• Compost kitchen and garden waste.
• Use kitchen scraps to raise earthworms.
• Borrow items you don't use often.
• Maintain and repair items you own.
• Write letters to the editor expressing your concern about the earth justice issues.
• Donate time and money to humanitarian or environmental organizations.
• Buy locally produced foods.
• Eat lower on the food chain.
• Educate yourself about earth justice issues and what you can do to help.
• Simplify your life.
• Consume less.
• Pray for the earth.
• Walk or use a bicycle when possible.