Become a Climate Champion: Faith Sector Pilot

At this month's Climate Champions meeting, we'll focus on the FACS Transit Corps campaign. Fairfax Deputy County Executive Rachel Flynn will discuss what the county is doing to make land use and the transportation system more friendly for transit, cycling, and walking - and how we can help. Join us on Tuesday, May 9 at 5:00pm. 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 Wednesday, June 14 at 10am, with a focus on Clean Cars. 

Join us for the 2023 Sustainability Champions Awards!

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!

Register today and save the date, June 8 from 7:00pm to 8:00pm, for the celebration!

Movie Discussion: Eating Our Way to Extinction

On Thursday, May 11 at 7:30pm, FACS will host an online movie discussion led by long-time FACS leader, John Clewett. Eating Our Way to Extinction tells the story of our planet through testimonials of those impacted the most. This powerful documentary shares an impactful message by uncovering truths and addressing the most pressing issues of our generation – climate change and ecological collapse. The movie is free to watch here.

Book Discussion: Windows of the Heavens 

Join us on Tuesday, June 13 at 7:00pm via Zoom for a book discussion on Windows of the Heavens with the author Henry Brinton, senior pastor of Fairfax Presbyterian Church. The story explores how people can coexist in an interfaith, multicultural community, and how humans can establish a sustainable relationship with the natural world around them.

FACS Awarded $34,000 Grant

FACS is honored to announce that we are the recipients of a $34,000 grant from the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia's Environment Fund. These funds will support FACS's five climate solutions campaigns, our work connecting faith communities to technical partners, and communicating climate progress and wins to the wider community.

Everyone Earth Day Photo Contest

Earth Month came to a close, but it isn't too late to share photos of how you celebrated Earth Day with your faith community. Winning photos will be highlighted at the annual Sustainability Champions Awards on June 8 and awarded prizes! Winners will also be featured on the FACS website, FACS newsletter, and social media. 

Email up to three photos, the 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

Nature Corner 

Spring is in the air, and it's about time to begin garden clean-up. Read here to learn the perspectives from a variety of ecological horticulturists on tending to your garden this changing of the seasons.

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.

Northern Valley Hub Updates

The Northern Valley Hub met on Sunday, April 23, at First Presbyterian Church. As part of their "Left the Building" program, they cleaned up a stretch of town run and invited others to join them. The Hub also discussed that there are now 5 recycling centers for glass being provided by Winchester City. 

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, May 24 at 6:30pm at Bethel Lutheran Church in Frederick County / Winchester, Virginia.

Fairfax County Hub Updates

In mid-April, we testified at the budget hearings about FACS priorities: free public transportation, the urgency of funding the Green Bank strongly to address inequity and make use of Federal money, and the need for leadership in the Office of Energy and Environment with cross-department authority. Along
with many groups (including Cindy Speas of LFA), we rooted for the Park’s tree canopy funding These positions weren’t surprising to the Board, because our advocacy teams meet with each of them several times a year. And this year, they had new voices to hear! It’s clear that building these relationships, and
repetition of our priorities makes a difference: Fairfax just added free rides on public buses for children accompanied by a paying adult. People who receive public benefits also have free transportation, as of this year. Inch by inch, we’re getting there. Read 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.

City of Alexandria Hub Updates

The FACS ALX Hub had a productive Earth Month. We met with three Alexandria City Council members, testified at a City budget hearing, and spoke in support of sustainable and equitable transportation on Duke Street. 

On May 3rd our City council will adopt a budget for next fiscal year that fully funds the city's Office of Climate Action. FACS ALX appreciates the work of the Mayor, City Council and Manager in prioritizing climate and resiliency programs. 

FACS ALX is supporting the Duke Street In Motion project which will provide more reliable, safer, sustainable, affordable and convenient transportation options along the corridor. Hub members are also following the Zoning for Housing/Housing for All initiative over the coming months. Providing sufficient housing for a range of income levels in communities with access to transit, services, and opportunity is an important climate strategy in our region.  

The hub meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 7pm. 

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

Loudoun County Hub Updates

We were heartened by the VA DEQ withdrawing the Data Center Variance for Loudoun County. We were actively involved in protesting the variance. During Earth Week we had 198 residents of Ashby Ponds select a promise they would implement in 2023, write it on a leaf, and attach the leaf to the "Promise Tree." 110 residents attended showings of "Merchants of Doubt"  and/or "The Day After Tomorrow."  Our Earth Day Program on 4/22, "Invest In the Earth," attracted 40 residents to hear "How We Know Global Warming is Real," poetry readings and music." Several volunteers were involved in these successful programs.

Jean shared about FACS to the Climate Action Group at Lansdowne in Leesburg; she and Ray Martin were part of a panel addressing sustainability and collaboration as part of a regional program for four Erickson Living communities.

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

Arlington County Hub Updates

In April, the Arlington Hub focused on the FACS Faith Sector Pilot Project. FACS Executive Director, Andrea McGimsey, presented on the project and the 5 individual campaigns. We then discussed how we can help each other advance this work in our congregations. A key takeaway from the discussion was that we'd benefit from talking to others to learn from and mentor each other.

Our next meeting, on May 3 at 7pm, the Hub will learn about the upcoming Arlington County Stormwater Utility and how we can help our local congregations lower their fees via sustainable practices.

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

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