People from the community attended an Earth Care Interfaith Service for 350 at Unity Church of the Triangle, one of
over 5,000 events taking place across the world in over 170 countries. The service was part of the largest day of climate change activism ever,  coordinated by 350.org to urge world leaders to take bold and immediate steps to address climate change and reduce carbon emissions.

After Neusom Holmes welcomed everyone Karen Bearden talked about the importance of 350 ppm and shared some other actions taking place across the world.

Karen introduced Russ Stephenson, Raleigh City Council Member, At-Large, who read the proclamation declaring October 24, 2009 International Day of Climate Action in Raleigh.

Randy Senzig shared a Thomas Berry quote about The Great Work. A prayer stick ceremony with people coming forward to offer prayers for healing the Earth by wrapping colorful yarn around a stick was lead by Nancy Huslage, while Mark Malachi sang Kadosh and Shalom beautifully in Hebrew.

There was also storytelling and a Lokata song sung by Laura McKelvey and Jennifer Holder sharing a message of intention.

“The environment does not need fixing, it is our behavior and relation to it that needs to change,” was one of the powerful Dali Lama quotes Venerable Tendron shared. Those attending held hands as they sang the song, O Great Spirit.

The service transitioned to a call to action. Jennifer, Veronica Butcher with 1 Sky, and Karen described the action items people could choose from. Ogun Holder played the drums giving rhythm and excitement to the building climax of the service while people signed up to volunteer to plant trees with Trees Across Raleigh, signed cards to Sen. Kay Hagan for Green jobs and renewables in NC, lit a candle and took an affirmation of intention, and rang the church bells 350 times. Both the adults and kids had fun with ringing the bells!! Sandy Hemenway sang his powerful song Citizens of the Earth to end the service.

 Photo credits and Special Thanks to New Image Studio, Raleigh, NC.

Check out this video from 1Sky showing 350 events around North Carolina, which includes the interfaith service:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnnEYpb6pxg&feature=channel

This video is from 350.org showing actions around the world:

http://action.350.org/t/10062/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=1601

Bill McKibben's 350.org campaign is coordinating International Day of Climate Action on October 24, 2009. 350.org is an international campaign dedicated to creating an equitable global climate treaty that lowers carbon dioxide below 350 parts per million. Check www.350.org for much more information.

Join the Green Team and people from the community on Friday, October 23rd at 7:30 pm for a Community Earth Care Interfaith Service with a focus on connecting with and caring for the Earth.

The service will be held at Unity Church of the Triangle (located at 118 South Person Street in the Long View Center across from Moore Square in downtown Raleigh). We'll share our common faith perspectives with message, music, art, ringing of the bells, and action. The service will kick off the largest global day of climate action ever with over two thousand 350.org actions taking place that weekend across the world! Some of the actions taking place near the end of the service will be volunteering to plant trees with Trees Across Raleigh, signing postcards to Senator Kay Hagan for green jobs and renewables in NC, and ringing the bell 350 times!!

You can RSVP for this event (or just show up!) at http://www.350.org/o24/action/4436 or by sending an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .