Facilitators will guide the group through the process of active engagement around local and state environmental legislation. From gathering in the public square, to letter writing campaigns and in-person lobbying, Terri Eikel and The Reverend Stephanie McDyre Johnson will provide guidance on best practices and summarize summary pending environmental legislation.
FACILITATATORS: For 20 years prior to her ordination as a priest in the Episcopal Church, The Reverend Stephanie McDyre Johnson worked as an environmental planner and educator. Following her ordination, Reverend Johnson worked for the Episcopal bishops of New England providing support in reducing congregational energy use and environmental ministries. Reverend Johnson offers workshops, clergy training and retreats on eco-theology, preaching on climate change, and, congregational greening, and grief in the face of the climate emergency. Reverend Stephanie has taught courses at Bexley Seabury and Church Next. For 8 years, she was the chair of the Episcopal Church’s Task Force on the Care of Creation and Environmental Racism. Reverend Johnson is on the Leadership Council of Blessed Tomorrow and the Advisory Board of the Center for Earth Ethics at Union Seminary. She is the author of “How Can I Care for Creation” and co-author of a curriculum titled “A Life of Grace for the Whole World”, both published by Church Publishing. She earned her M.Div. and STM from Yale Divinity School. Her S.T.M was focused on eco-ministry in a congregational setting. Reverend Johnson is the Rector at St. Paul’s in Riverside, CT.
Teresa (Terri) Eikel serves as the Executive Director and co-founder of the Interreligious Eco-Justice Network. She initially organized the religious community in CT around dirty fossil fuel plants, called the Sooty Six. With IREJN, Terri helped develop and lead the organization’s Green Forum series, which focused on a variety of topics, such as climate change, energy efficiency, toxic chemicals, pollinators, solar energy, and environmental justice. As of March 2023, Terri became the full-time Executive Director of IREJN and is currently leading their initiatives on energy efficiency and food justice, as well as environmental advocacy on the state and national level.
Event Timeslots (1)
Tuesday, 4/1
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Advocacy and Engagement at the Local and State Level
