October 2024 Blog
Faith & Food Waste
Ally Welty Peachey, ACC Communications Intern
Food waste is a major contributor to climate change in the United States and Mennonite grandmothers are stepping up to make a difference! Recently, Taftsville Chapel Mennonite Fellowship offered a canning course, inviting community members to explore a more sustainable relationship with food rooted in community and tradition. Two skilled grandmothers in the congregation shared food preservation methods with a new generation. Heather Wolfe, a dietician and eco-minister, also spoke on the benefits of preserving food by way of canning. Each participant left with new skills, new connections, and a jar of fresh applesauce.
We're thrilled that this event was inspired by Taftville's participation in the “Claiming Your Call for a Climate Changed World” retreat, hosted by the Anabaptist Climate Collaborative, the BTS Center, and Creation Justice Ministries. We can’t wait to see more from Taftville’s Schoolhouse for Simple Living!
ACC Hosts Dialogue at Wheaton College
Wheaton College students in the first-year sustainability course participated in a ritual of lament led by Douglas Day Kaufman earlier this fall. Together, they named their own laments for environmental degradation, including naming endangered species of Illinois, and recognized their own role in these pressing issues. Their own use of plastics especially worries students. This meaningful event kicked off a rich day of dialogue and learning between ACC and student and faculty leaders in the Human Needs and Global Resources (HNGR) program and Humanitarian Disaster Institute. We were inspired by the curious and articulate students from diverse traditions who shared their thoughts and questions on climate and faith. A student followed up after the day to share, “I really enjoyed class today and it was such a cool experience to practice the grieving ritual. It definitely provided a perspective of climate change that I had never even considered.”
We’re looking forward to seeing these emerging leaders grow in their commitment to our planet!
ACC Alumni Check-in: Micah Buckwalter
Micah Buckwalter is passionate about climate policy and advocacy; currently, he is based in Washington, D.C. His journey with Anabaptist Climate Collaborative (ACC) has shaped his understanding of environmental issues and fueled his desire to effect meaningful change.
Micah first heard about ACC during his freshman year at Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) through conversations with EMU’s campus climate ambassador. During his second year at EMU, Micah served as the campus climate ambassador. In this role, he sought out ways to connect the various environmental clubs on EMU’s campus. This early involvement with ACC laid the groundwork for his climate advocacy work.
In the summer of 2021, Micah participated in ACC’s Climate Ride, a cross-country bike ride aimed at raising awareness about climate change issues across the country (Read more about it here!). He describes the Climate Ride as a truly eye-opening experience that allowed him to witness firsthand how deeply climate change affects communities across the United States.
The following summer, Micah interned in Washington, D.C., on behalf of the ACC in the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) office as a Climate Advocacy Intern. In this role, he grasped the importance of advocacy work; he emphasizes the necessity of connecting policy with community impact. He returned to EMU determined to engage students in climate advocacy work.
Post-graduation, Micah coordinated the 2024 “Climate Action for Peace Global Voices Tour,” a collaboration between MCC and the ACC aimed at sharing stories and solutions regarding the climate crisis from the Global South. In this position, the importance of working in community was evident.
Micah is now living in Washington, D.C., and actively seeking opportunities in climate policy and advocacy. He hopes to work in congressional offices, contributing to just and meaningful climate legislation. His experiences with the ACC, including the Climate Ride, student ambassadorship, advocacy internship, and Global Voices Tour coordinator role, have instilled his commitment to climate work. Micah is inspired by the values of simplicity and caring for one’s neighbor, rooted in his Anabaptist faith, which align closely with the mission of the ACC. He believes that climate action is a form of peacemaking, reinforcing his desire to make a positive impact in the world.
As Micah embarks on this next chapter in Washington, D.C., he is excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. With a strong foundation in advocacy and a passion for climate policy, he is ready to contribute to the movement for a more sustainable and just future.
Events
Headed to the MEDA Convention this week? Hope we’ll see you there! Please join us for an engaging, ACC-moderated collaborative seminar on how Anabaptist faith and values link to real-world sustainability practices. Three Anabaptist business owners will share their journeys. Let’s come together to learn and connect!
ACC will be involved in a variety of activities surrounding the upcoming COP29 UN Climate Change Conference, which will be taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan from November 11-22. This annual conference gathers global leaders and activists to set vital climate policies for the future. Those unable to attend can still make an impact through collective prayer and fasting, helping to focus attention on climate action.
Want to get involved in COP29? There’s a number of ways you can make a difference.
Learn: ACC will be hosting a daily blog explaining the goings-on of COP29. This blog, written by Dutch Mennonite Marijke van Duren, will begin alongside the November 11 commencement of the conference.
Pray & Reflect: MCC, along with MCUSA and Shenandoah Valley Faith & Climate, is also organizing a climate fast to coincide with COP29, coordinating people around the world to pray and fast during this year’s global climate summit. Learn more about the climate fast here.
Act: Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) has developed a petition urging President Biden to take bold action at COP29. Learn more and sign the petition here. ACC recently signed on to a similar petition.
Share: Take part by inviting others to create a COP 29 climate fast plan, sharing your initiatives on social media with #COP29climatefast, and reaching out to President Biden. Additional actions include learning about local climate impacts, adopting sustainable practices, discussing the climate crisis, donating to local organizations, and urging legislators to support climate-friendly policies.
