Seeds of Hope in Bloom: Funding Urban Environmentalism
Foundation Funding Urban Environmentalism
With funding from a United Church of Canada Foundation Seeds of Hope grant, Montreal City Mission (MCM)was able to grow their urban environmentalism program Green SAGE Vert. Green SAGE Vert (GSV) integrates nature-based activities into church, and seeks to preserve local biodiversity in Montreal. The goal of the program is to develop a practical eco-theology that redefines our relationship with Creation.
GSV is an offshoot of MCM’s framework for mission and social action called SAGE. SAGE (Service, Advocacy, Gathering, Eunoia) is a broad theological aim to Live with Respect in Creation, and from which is gleaned its mission of ecological care. SAGE describes an approach to social action — in particular, work with refugees and citizens of various Faiths — with Friendship at the root of its mission, fulfilled through these four interrelated paths. Implementing the SAGE framework is an exercise in nurturing, little by little, a “community of friends,” where Friendship is an experience shared by people of all faiths and no faith — an experience of difference, and a language spoken by everyone.
Adapting During the Pandemic
Though the early pandemic hampered their plans to meet in-person, MCM still carried out a rich and rewarding program. They have produced bilingual newsletters to distribute through the Nakonha:ka Region, and with ecumenical, interfaith and academic partners. They created a GSV YouTube channel featuring interviews with diverse spokespeople discussing a range of topics. Outreach to 37 downtown businesses to explain the GSV project and introduce MCM and St. James United in a more personal fashion;
- A GSV team of 8 church and community activists that has been meeting monthly to plan activities;
- A B-Line connecting 7 ecumenical and interfaith partners in 5 Montreal boroughs: St. James United, Temple Emanu-el Beth Sholom, Lakeshore Unitarian, Lachine Unitarian, Westmount Park United, Cedar Park United; Beaconsfield United; info on our B-Line circulated with downtown business;
- A GSV Youtube channel with 4 fascinating interviews from a diverse group and with more to come!
- 10 campers from Camp Cosmos participated in a GSV pollinator house workshop and bio-blitz in the St. James tiny forest;
- The first Canadian Green Faith Circle set up in Montreal under the auspices of GSV;
- A rock garden next to ST. James United with a welcome crow, pollinator house (similar to a bird house but for butter)flies and bees, and a bench for Camp Cosmos campers;
- A new partnership with the BTS Center in Portland Maine through co-hosting a book circle on environmental care.
They share that the most positive outcomes of the project to-date:
- Opportunities to engage in intercultural ministry
- Connections made with other MCM programs (Women Weaving their Dreams, Camp Cosmos, etc)
- A new area of collaboration with ecumenical and interfaith partners
Until the GSV project, our work with newcomers certainly involved tapping into their wisdom and knowledge, but not in respect to the environment – it has been an exciting journey of discovery!
Paula kline, montreal city mission
Learning From and With
Montreal City Mission Director Paula Kline shares the top three learnings from the project:
- Spokespersons for the environment are usually white and Western, leaving a wealth of wisdom within the newcomer community untapped
- Involving newcomers in environmental projects creates an important space for them to share, feel appreciated and give back
- Concrete action for the environment provides wonderful opportunities for:
- church and wider community members to gather for a common cause, engage in hands-on activities and get to know neighbours
- imagining new forms of worship grounded in eco-theology and spirituality;
- paying respects to First Nations ancestors and raising awareness of their presence on the land; drawing wisdom from First Nations partners;
- drawing the circle wide to include people from diverse cultures and faith traditions
Paula offers her advice for other communities of faith wanting to do something similar. “See what is already taking place. We were able to lift up and build on what [others] were already doing by getting them involved in our network and learn from their experiences”. She also suggests making it a priority to seek out individuals from diverse communities. “Make a space for them to share their knowledge and wisdom, it’s a wonderful way to bond through storytelling”.
Caring for Creation
If you’d like to learn more about the Green SAGE Vert project, please get in touch! The United Church of Canada Foundation is committed to fighting climate change and addressing climate justice and Climate Justice is one of our Foundational priorities.
