Water Archives - United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities

March 16, 2021

United Forward on Climate Action

Where do climate change and justice issues intersect with the beliefs, practices, and teachings of your faith or spiritual tradition? United students are finding their way and having an impact. Over the past several months, a core group of committed students has collaborated with staff from Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light (MNIPL) to prepare a statement encouraging state representatives to take a bold stance on climate action. In this emerging reality of climate change, healing the separation between each other, the land and water, our histories, and likewise between environmental, social and economic justice represent the most important existential and ethical challenges to the material and spiritual security and wellbeing of all beings. Specifically, campaigns to stop construction of the Tar Sands Line 3 Pipeline are at the forefront of local activism. Advocacy for creative solutions includes support for the Rondo Land Bridge project that impacts environmental restoration while also advancing racial reparations and economic vitality to the historically African American district of The Twin Cities. (more…)

Water is Life: A Sacred Witness

The voice of a young Indigenous drummer echoed out over Lake Itasca at the headwaters of the Mississippi River as faith leaders, elders from the White Earth Nation, and climate activists from a variety of traditions gathered last weekend in a respectful prayer circle. Other spiritual voices included a Muslim call to prayer, Jewish singing, a Zen Buddhist chant, a Unitarian Universalist prayer/poem (included in this post), and a Christian homily. Organized by Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light, Honor the Earth and the RISE Coalition, the event focused on protecting waters sacred to indigenous peoples and necessary to sustain life for all in this region. Rev. Karen Hutt and Rev. Dr. Justin Tanis, joined by their families, represented United Theological Seminary. Rev. Hutt led the UU contribution to the program, drawing connections between the experiences of African-American and Native experiences of water, which you can read below. (more…)