People from a range of religious traditions and faiths will be gathering this afternoon to talk about environmental sustainability.
St. Louis EcoFaith co-organizer Steve Lawler says the goal is to build an interfaith network that can support environmental awareness and action.
Himself an Episcopal priest, Lawler says concern for the environment is integral to many different religions, from Buddhism to Islam.
“And if you look at the whole tradition that’s say in the Judeo-Christian tradition, a right relationship with God necessarily included a right relationship with God’s creation,” Lawler said.
Co-organizer Lynda Morrison, who is a professor of microbiology at Saint Louis University, says today’s meeting will give people a chance to exchange ideas and find out what other communities are doing.
“For instance in my own congregation, we are doing a lot with education,” Morrison said. “We have a garden for the Sunday School kids. We are working on getting solar panels for our roofs. And we’re working on healthier lifestyles from several directions at once.”
In addition to holding occasional meetings, St. Louis EcoFaith also plans to establish a resource-sharing website.
The first meeting of St. Louis EcoFaith will run from 2 to 4 p.m. today at the Schlafly Tap Room.
