MAY 2008
NEWSLETTER

See Attached pdf for March 2008 newsletter

See Attached pdf for April 2008 newsletter

See Attached pdf for July 2008 newsletter

See Attached pdf for August 2008 newsletter

EARTH AND SPIRIT CENTER AUGUST, 2008 NEWSLETTER


The mission of the Passionist Earth & Spirit Center is to motivate, educate and enable religious institutions and people of faith to assume an active role in ensuring a just, beautiful and sustainable world.

"Care of water resources
and attention to climate change
are matters of grave importance
for the entire human family.
Encouraged by the growing recognition
of the need to preserve the environment,
I invite all of you to join me in praying
and working for greater respect
for the wonders of God's creation!"
Pope Benedict XVI

YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL MORAL COMPASS
by: Phyllis Fitzgerald, Associate Director Earth & Spirit Center

How many times have you used the term, Moral Compass? What does it mean to you? If you take a look at the website, www.moralcompass.org, the site examines the impact of competitive self-interest (as promoted by market-based economic theory) on our traditional idea of a Moral Compass. The morality of the market is based on the idea of pursuit of self-interest (every person for themself), with society benefiting as the success of a few trickles down to the rest through competition. The religious or spiritual ethic, on the other hand, is based on the notion of selflessness, altruism, sharing and cooperation. It responds to the needs of others. The market responds to self interest - or the individuals and corporations that control money.

Our Moral Compass is a concept that each of us must confront many times during our lives, from the playground to the corporate board room to the church. Ideally, our Moral Compass is firm and unwavering, but it is quite easy for us to leave this Moral Compass at the door when we go to our jobs, to social gatherings, or even to our place of worship. Our desire to fit in becomes very attractive.

If we have trouble steering our personal ships with the Moral Compass we have nurtured, consider the challenge of incorporating a Moral Compass with our interactions with the natural world - with the environment. If your Moral Compass reflects your values of selflessness, altruism, sharing, and cooperation for the benefit of all, you should have little trouble including the same values when dealing with the environment. But how does this correlate with the way you model environmental stewardship, especially if it is a relatively new value?

If you have a good Moral Compass ...
Will you recycle at home, at your workplace, your place of worship, and public places?
Will your Moral Compass guide your "heavy foot" to drive at more sustainable speed - 55-60 mph instead of 75-80 mph on the highway to reduce air pollution and conserve fossil fuel?
Will your Moral Compass compel you to use heat and air conditioning more efficiently, adjusting the thermostat to a sustainable level instead of considering only personal comfort?
Will you spend a little more $$ to buy Energy Star appliances for ongoing energy savings?
Are you willing to take a shorter shower, drive less, and carry your own cloth bags for purchases?
Will you make every effort to shop at locally-owned stores and farmers markets?
Will you contact your public officials to urge passage of laws that help improve the environment?
Think of someone who "walks the talk" on environmental issues. Do they look around before taking action to see who is looking, afraid of being ridiculed? Do they look for a quick and easy way out, or go for the best long-term solution for the betterment of the Earth? There are many environmental "Mother Theresa" and "Al Gore" types walking all around us, setting examples of better ways to live lightly on the Earth. Why not try to walk in their footsteps whenever you can - or better yet, be one! You may find that the path is not as steep and not as difficult as you once thought. Every journey starts with a few steps. Start with small steps and enjoy the high road. The scenery is great!

FROM THE GARDEN

by Holly Clark, Gardener & Educator at the Earth & Spirit Center

The multiple dimensions for personal connection with the natural world are part of what makes the Earth & Spirit gardens unique. While the vegetables being produced are delicious, as evidenced by the well-fed groundhogs and rabbits, they are just one manifestation of the gardens' bounty. As intended by the original plan for the space, the gardens are inviting students to explore the actual process of growing and the ever-evolving nature of the plant world as an invitation to examine their inner journeys and the interconnectedness of all life. Not only are the gardens producing a variety of delicious edibles for those who visit, the intentional planting of a diverse array of healing and medicinal flowers and herbs has opened a window for many to explore new levels of wellness in a very hands-on way.

"Healing is what we do to feel better." This wonderful description of such a complex concept was given by a 16-year old garden student from Maryhurst, a healing residence for young women in the Kentucky foster care system, during a recent visit to the gardens. The girls, who created their very own flower essences from plants at the gardens, shared their own definitions of healing and their personal journeys of recovery over freshly-picked blueberries, rainbow chard, and golden cherry tomatoes, and went on a silent forest walk to attune with the land before heading back into the gardens to create their plant remedies.

"My intention is to make one that's going to help me not get so angry." Those words, spoken by another Maryhurst student, guided her as she set out to choose flowers for the herbal essence she was crafting. The end result, girls proudly displaying their flower-filled vials as the sun began to set over the hillside, was a beautiful reflection of the deep sense of peace, joy, and connection permeating the entire space.

A similar feeling of connection and hope accompanied public school teachers from the Food is Elementary program as they sampled heirloom huckleberries and learned about the healing properties of edible flowers. While most were new to the health benefits of many herbs and flowers, all were enthusiastic to taste the sky-blue borage, whose blossoms are reputed to bring courage and increase joy. After hearing about the healing possibilities of borage, several workshop participants began sharing plant world experiences they'd had in which the benefits they'd enjoyed far transcended what they had expected, and many left with borage blossoms to share with friends and family - because who couldn't use a little more courage and joy?

As all growers know, the act of gardening itself is one of hope, faith, and ultimately, of letting go, and witnessing the quiet strength of radiant flowers and determined vegetables amidst unpredictable weather and hungry raccoons is a wonderful reminder to remain open to the prolific possibilities for learning and transformation that abound in our world.

Garden Market Sale
Savor the fruits of the the Earth & Spirit gardens at our next market on August 17th from 12:30-1:30pm. Sample a dazzling array of heirloom tomatoes, sweet bell peppers, rainbow chard, fresh-cut flowers and herbs, and native flower essences and herbal tinctures crafted on the land.

FALL COURSES AT THE EARTH & SPIRIT CENTER

Fall Course Schedule

"Meditation for Beginners: Encountering the Inner Christ"
Saturday, September 13, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
followed by 10 Wednesday sessions

"Meditation for Experienced Students: Integral Spirituality"
Saturday, September 6, 2008 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
followed by 10 Tuesday sessions

Blessing of Animals
Sunday, September 28, 2008 from 2:00-3:00 p.m.
The annual blessing of animals will be celebrated with an outdoor service at the Earth & Spirit Center that includes prayers for the planet. All pets and their human friends are welcome.

Introduction to the Enneagram
This course is excellent for understanding one's personality, as well as cultivating compassion for other types.
Saturday, October 4 or November 22, 2008 from 9:00-5:30

Monday Discussion Courses
Classes begin September 15, 2008
Information Session on September 8 at 10:00 a.m. or again at 7:00 p.m.
Choices for Sustainable Living - Monday 7:00-8:30 p.m. for 8 weeks
Global Warming - Monday 7:00-8:30 p.m.for 4 weeks
Healthy Children-Healthy Planet - Monday 10:00-11:30 a.m. for 7 weeks
Sustainable Food: Menu for the Future - Monday 10:00-11:30 a.m. for 6 weeks
Thursday Discussion Course
Begins September 18, 2008
Information session on September 11 at 10:00 a.m. or again at 7:00 p.m.
Voluntary Simplicity - Thursday 7:00-8:30 p.m. for 7 weeks
Other discussion courses will be offered at various locations throughout Louisville. You are welcome to attend one of these courses at another location. Please contact us for information on specific locations.

Want to start a discussion course at your church, workplace, book club, or your home? Just find 7-12 people who are interested in the same course (see listings). You can host the course anyplace of your choosing. Just make arrangements with us for the books. We will even come to your first meeting to help you get started. Contact Phyllis Fitzgerald at 533-4803 or email earthandspirit@passionist.org for more information.

Living in Harmony with Creation
Begins November 3, 2008 and continues for 4 Mondays 7:00-8:30 p.m.
This is course will help participants examine the impact they have on the environment in a systematic way that allows us to make changes that make the most sense in our lives. Taught by Phyllis Fitzgerald.

Additional course information may be accessed at:
www.earthandspiritcenter.org/programs.htm

EMBRACING THE LIFE WE ARE GIVEN: THE NEW COSMOLOGY

The Earth & Spirit Center is proud to participate in what Thomas Berry calls the Great Work of our time. In July, thirty-six people participated in the Earth & Spirit Center summer class on exploring a new cosmology. The course dealt with the enormous shift in human self-understanding that is emerging from recent discoveries about the nature and history of the universe and the Earth. Comments from participants included:
"Exciting - Overwhelming!"
"An eye opening experience"
"Opened my eyes to a whole new way of thinking about our universe"
"Puts my beliefs into perspective"
"I felt I had been searching for this information most of my adult life"
"Makes me want to do more, be more respectful of all creation"
This is a foundation course for anyone interested in understanding how a cultural worldview shapes and shades our perceptions of reality. It offers startling insights and evokes powerful motivation to participate in working to ensure a healthy, beautiful, just and sustainable world for ourselves and our children. The course will be offered again beginning March 5, 2009 and continuing for five consecutive Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; and next summer during July 13-17, 2009.

EARTH & SPIRIT CENTER OUTREACH
Groups that pariticpated during July in our outdoor education, gardening, and eco-therapy sessions:
Portland Neighborhood House youth
Maryhurst youth
Jefferson County Master Gardeners
Food is Elementary teachers
Shekinah Sacred Circle
Covenant Community Church
Metro Change Makers
Sustainability, Food and Art
Southeast Christian Church
EcoLouisville
Kids Camp volunteers
Groups coming next month include:

St. Francis High School
EcoLouisville
Portland Neighborhood House youth
Maryhurst youth
Shekinah Sacred Circle
Covenant Community Church
Metro Change Makers
Sustainability, Food and Art
Bellarmine University
Highland Presbyterian Weekday School

FROM THE GARDEN TO THE TABLE

A few weeks ago at staff meeting we were sharing a lunch that included fresh greens from the garden, a few leftovers from each of our homes, plus the staples of peanut butter and hummus from our larder. Holly had brought a wonderful new leafy green from the garden called Kamat Suma to the table, and we tried munching it raw, or putting in a salad. By chance, there was a small amount of beans and rice left over, so we put it on a leaf of Kamat Suma, and rolled it up like a spring roll. Wala! A new dish is born! Call it a wrap or a spring roll; it works, and couldn't be easier. As soon as we tasted it, we made more versions of spring rolls/wraps using hummus, rice, spaghetti, grated raw veggies, and whatever we had. We later tried it with baby Swiss chard leaves; bingo! You may certainly do the same with lettuce. OK, roll your own!

Food is Elementary Recipes Used at our Nature Explore Camp: Mary K Korfhage and Kirby Adams, our "Food is Elementary" volunteers at our camp, explored healthy food and recipes with our children, and had the kiddos begging for more when they served Fruit Smoothies and Chinese Stir Fry. We think you will like them too!

Fruit Smoothies

2 cups frozen strawberries
1 cup frozen blueberries
1 or 2 bananas
1.5 cups cranapple juice
1 cup orange juice

Blend all in blender for thirty seconds and enjoy! Most any fruits or juices can be used.

Chinese Stir-Fry

1 cup brown rice, cooked according to package directions
1 cup tofu, diced
2 cups mixed greens (we used collards and kale)
2 minced green onions
2 cups snow peas
1.5 cups chopped carrots
1 T. olive oil
1 T. sesame oil
2 T. soy sauce (we used Braggs aminos)
1 T. chopped ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced

Drain tofu, removing most water by squeezing with paper towels.Brown tofu over medium high heat in olive oil; set aside. Heat olive oil over medium heat, add garlic and ginger, stir for one minute. Add onions and carrots. Saute for one minute.Add soy sauce, sesame oil, snow peas, and greens. Stir until wilted. Serve over brown rice. Add more soy and sesame oil to taste.

Use any fresh veggies you have available--we had beautiful greens from the garden!! Top with chopped cashews if desired.

Feel free to contact us at our email address earthandspirit@passionist.org or visit our website www.earthandspiritcenter.org.

Passionist Earth & Spirit Center | 1924 Newburg Road | Louisville | KY | 40205