Chicago's Faith in Place Recognized for Interfaith Work "Caring For Creation"

Chicago, Illinois - Recognizing the growing importance of environmental protection to faith communities across the country, Sierra Club released a report entitled Faith in Action: Communities of Faith Bring Hope for the Planet. Local Chicago-based group Faith in Place is featured in the report for their work with communities of faith in Illinois and their efforts to connect faith, caring for the environment, and social justice.

"More and more people, of all faiths, are heeding the moral call to better care for the earth," said Jim Gutermuth, Global Warming Solutions Advocate of the Illinois Sierra Club. "We are inspired by the faith community's leadership in working to protect the planet, and this report recognizes the many people of faith working on creation care initiatives here in Illinois and across the country."

The Faith in Action report is a project of the Sierra Club's Environmental Partnerships Program, which works actively with faith groups around the United States to broaden support for environmental protection.

Sierra Club is presenting a 2008 "Faith in Action" Environmental Stewardship Award to Chicago-based Faith in Place. An interfaith organization, Faith in Place equips people of all faiths, including Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Zoroastrian, Baha'i and Unitarian, with the practical tools they need to become good stewards of the earth while working diligently to encourage a religious, ethical response to global warming.

"Faith in Place is honored to be featured in the Sierra Club's report. As people of faith, we believe climate change is one of the most important moral and religious issues facing us today. Our 400 partner congregations in Illinois are inspired by their faiths to care for people near and far and help reduce global warming," said Sara Spoonheim, Deputy Director of Faith in Place.

Renewal - Stories from America's Religious Environmental Movement, a new documentary on religious environmental activism, also highlights Faith in Place. Sierra Club will be partnering with houses of worship around Illinois to host screenings of Renewal this summer, and share ideas for greening local congregations.

The full report is available at: www.sierraclub.org/partnerships/faith