Local climate solutions powered by faith communities.

 

Become a Climate Champion: Faith Sector Pilot

At this month's Climate Champions meeting, we'll focus on the Creation Care Kitchens campaign. Join us on April 12 at 10:00am. Register here.

Although this faith sector pilot is focused on Fairfax County, we welcome everyone to join us in implementing these solutions across Virginia. Next month we'll meet on May 9 at 5:00pm, with a focus on FACS Transit Corps. Stay tuned, and read more about this initiative in The Fairfax Times!

 

Concert for the Earth

Join us for an evening of music and climate activism on April 22 with doors opening at 5:30pm and concert starting at 6:00pm! Enjoy a concert with acts performed by Melting Virgo, Musical Scalpel, and Josh Long. Come celebrate the Earth with fellow activists and feel ignited to work towards climate solutions this spring.

 

Nominate a Sustainability Champion!

The call for Sustainability Champion nominations is now open! Our annual Sustainability Champions Awards celebrate and recognize the contributions of individuals, faith communities, elected officials/public sector employees, and businesses in Northern Virginia. These individuals and organizations in our community work tirelessly toward improving the environment, contributing to a healthy, livable climate!

Nominations are due by Friday, April 14. And please save the date June 8 from 7:00pm to 8:00pm for the celebration!

 

“Widening Circles of Compassion: Concern for All Beings”

“Widening Circles of Compassion: Concern for All Beings,” a compassion practice guided by Tara Brach can be viewed here. FACS’ co-sponsored this meditation and reflection on how to deepen our commitment to caring and action. Tara’s words will help to wake up and free our hearts to make choices to mitigate the climate crisis and seek what is good for people, planet and our fellow sentient beings. She helps us awaken our hearts to our world’s suffering. Tara Brach is a psychologist, meditation teacher, author and founder of the Insight Meditation Community of Washington (IMCW).

 

Nature Corner & 2023 #EveryoneEarthDay Photo Contest 

Get inspired by Earth Day ideas here and show FACS what activities your faith community is doing to celebrate Earth Day! As part of the FACS Tree of Life campaign, please share photos of your faith community planting natives, removing invasive species, compositing, and more! We will select the best photos among those submitted, highlight them at the annual Sustainability Champions Awards on June 8, and award prizes! Winners will also be featured on the FACS website, FACS newsletter, and social media.

Email up to three photosthe name of your faith community, and a brief description of the activity to info@faithforclimate.org by May 15, and share your pics on social media using #EveryoneEarthDay.

 

20s & 30s Circle

Are you or do you know a 20- or 30-something looking to connect with others on climate change topics? 

Our 20s & 30s Circle features social gatherings like happy hours, coffee socials, and local hikes for this age group. Whether you are in a career transition, planning for the future in an uncertain world, or want to meet other climate-minded individuals, join us! Fill out this form to be added to our email list and to receive more details on upcoming events, and stop by the FACS table at the Fairfax Veg Fest on April 23

 
 

HUB UPDATES BELOW

Be sure to visit our online calendar to see when Hub monthly meetings happen, what FACS events are on the horizon, and what community events are being planned by other groups.

 

Fairfax County Hub Updates

Our advocacy teams will meet with the Supervisors over the next month: if you would like to join in, we’ll show you how! We are focusing on early funding for the Green Bank,  scheduled to open this summer, so lower and middle income people can access loans to make use of the Federal climate money for heat pumps, improved insulation and solar power. This is an equity and climate solution.

We also will encourage the County to fund the Tree Action Plan. to decrease heat islands by planting more trees. Would you like to plant trees in your area? You might get free trees here. 

The International Panel on Climate Change said in March that globally we’re still heating the planet. It’s about 1.1 C warmer now. To avoid a 2 degree increase, we have a very short window of time. We must use all our tools! Read more here to learn how Fairfax County is putting Faith in Action.

If you are not already on our list, sign up for Fairfax updates here. If you have any questions, please email kristin.rosenthal@gmail.com.

Arlington County Hub Updates

In March, Arlington and Alexandria Hubs joined to meet with guest Robin Lewis, Director for Climate Equity at Interfaith Power & Light DMV. Robin gave an excellent overview of the environmental justice movement and we talked about what we can do, individually and through our congregations, to advance climate justice.

As it's Arlington County budget season, Hub advocates are providing input to the 2024 budget, commenting in writing, at hearings and in meetings with our elected officials. We're also joining a number of community environmental and tree/vegetation projects across the community. 

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, April 12 at 7:00pm (after that, we'll return to our usual 1st Monday of the month meeting schedule).

Sign up for Arlington updates if you are not already on our list. If you have any questions, please email info@faithforclimate.org.

City of Alexandria Hub Updates

The Alexandria hub is working on supporting sustained funding in the City budget for the new Office of Climate Action, stronger green building policies and energy efficiency programs for all residents, and sustainable and equitable transportation options.

Our April FACS Alexandria hub meeting will take place Wednesday, April 12, 7pm. Check out the City of Alexandria Earth Month calendar of events.

Sign up for Alexandria updates if you are not already on our list. If you have any questions, please email info@faithforclimate.org.

Northern Valley Hub Updates

The Northern Valley Hub met on Thursday, March 16 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Winchester. We discussed options for advocacy and conservation, the adopt-a-highway program, how we might involve the creation care clubs at the local high schools, and potential Earth Day themes for our congregations, with a hope to do something community wide in 2024. First Presbyterian and Bethel Lutheran are planning a joint downtown clean-up event on Sunday, April 23 in the morning as part of an Earth Day recognition.

Join a Local Advocacy Hub!

Stay connected with local news, meeting reminders, advocacy opportunities and action alerts, community wins, and more!

FACS' Monthly Sustainability Tip

Grab a friend, enjoy the weather, and go for a "plog." "Plogging" originated from Sweden, and is the combination of picking up litter while going for a jog. If jogging isn't your favorite, read here for 52 tips and tricks on how to support the Earth this Earth month. 

Inspired to give beyond time and talent? Donate today and support FACS' work.

 

Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions
PO Box 2012  | Reston, Virginia 20195
703-239-3748 | info@faithforclimate.org

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