On September 27-29 of this past year, over two hundred people gatheredin Lander for an event called, “On Sacred Ground: Faith and the Environment”. It brought together people of the faith community from all over the state as well as representatives of nearly all Wyoming’s environmental groups including the Greater Yellowstone Coalition. It was jointly sponsored by The Wyoming Conservation Voters Education Fund and my organization, the Wyoming Association of Churches. It was preceded by a planning retreat which included official representation from each environmental organization as well as representatives of nine different religious denominations. These folks over a three day period were able to discuss past issues, areas of historical disagreement and present day common concerns about saving the earth. They also worked to develop a common agenda that everyone could agree upon. The theme for “On Sacred Ground” was to be “Inspiration, Education and Application”.This event exceeded our expectation as organizers. People from religious organizations were able to meet environmental folks who could point them to the necessary resources needed to save creation. Environmental people commented on how refreshing it was to see many new faces at a gathering focused on saving both Wyoming and our earth in general. The final session of “On Sacred Ground” was designed to get participants involved in the next step to carry out the inspiration gained in the conference. Several “affinity groups” were formed so that “On Sacred Ground” could be carried on in other communities. Groups have been established in Cheyenne, Lander, Laramie, Douglas, Casper and Cody.The Cody group who attended, which is really all of Park County, was made up of Brian Sybert, Dick Ludwig, Jill Carrow, Andy and Stephanie Rose, Casey Horton, Deb Thomas (of Clark), Pete Meese and myself. They were representing GYC, Christ Episcopal Church, the WAC, Powder River Basin Resource Council and the First United Methodist Church of Cody respectively. Since the September event there have been two followup gatherings. The current plan is to grow the Park County group and expand our base of support. There have been additional inquiries from Powell and Clark about how to be included. The plan is to sponsor an organizing dinner this spring that will enable us to explain the “On Sacred Ground” experience, introduce new people to the mission, and decide on new ways to extend environmental awareness to all of Park County. This would include all issues from climate change to preserving landscapes to greening up church buildings. Funding assistance is being sought to help make this gathering possible. There has even been discussion about sponsoring our own Park County “On Sacred Ground” event. Anyone desiring to be a part of this spring’s follow up gathering should contact any of the above named people to be included. This is indeed a way for active environmental people of faith to work together to preserve the best of both our county and our state.

I am a member of Congregational United Church of Christ in Douglas, and as a result of the OSG at Lander we have formed a Planet Partners Community Committee. We have contacted Peter Illyn about coming to Wyoming in June (probably 1 to 8th), and we are in the initial planning process. Peter would like to plan a tour of several Wyoming cities when he comes. I wanted to check with you to see if your group is interested in taking part in some way. I will also be contacting Jeffrey Dodson of the Casper United Church of Christ.

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