Texas is a big state! In order to provide an effective religious response to our shared environmental challenges, we need local teams on the ground in cities and regions across the state. Texas Interfaith Power & Light (TXIPL) supports the development of local, interfaith environmental networks—and is coming to San Marcos to start the conversation.

Yaira Robinson, Associate Director of Texas Interfaith Power & Light (TXIPL), along with Rev. Brian Ferguson, minister of San Marcos Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, will offer a presentation on Thursday, May 9th about creating a local, interfaith environmental network in the Hays & Comal County area. Come be part of the conversation! Details are below.

Last year, thanks to pressure from people of faith all across the U.S., President Obama refused to issue a permit for the Keystone XL and directed the State Department to conduct a thorough study on its environmental impacts, including climate change.

Now the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) is out, but it only seriously investigated the regional climate change impacts of the pipeline itself and not how the increased use of carbon-intensive oil would impact global climate change.

An assessment that ignores or brushes aside the impact of tar sands development on global climate change is woefully inadequate. We need your help.

Click here to send your comment to President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry.

For background on the issue, explore the links below:

In Austin on April 2nd, 18th, and 21st, we invite you to explore the Sabbath with us!

Tuesday, April 2nd - The Sabbath from a Jewish perspective. On Tuesday evening, April 2nd, Rabbi Steven Folberg will share Jewish teachings about the Sabbath, with a focus on how the practice of the Sabbath connects to caring for the environment. This program is co-sponsored by the Austin chapter of Texas Interfaith Power & Light—the Interfaith Environmental Network—and is open to people of all faith traditions (or none!).

April 18th and 21st - The Sabbath from a Christian perspective. During the week of Earth Day, 2013, Dr. Matthew Sleeth, author of 24/6: A Prescription for a Happier, Healthier Life and Executive Director of Blessed Earth comes to Austin with this prescription: "Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy."

There will be two opportunities to hear from the Dr. Sleeth about his latest project on faith and the environment:

On Thursday, February 21st, leaders from Texas Interfaith Power & Light’s local affiliates met in Austin for the first TXIPL Local Leaders’ Summit, co-hosted by TXIPL and its Austin affiliate, the Interfaith Environmental Network (IEN). This one-day retreat brought leaders together from Christian, Jewish, Unitarian, Baha'i, and Hare Krishna traditions; and from Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin (with Fort Worth leaders unable to attend at the last minute). The goal of this one-day summit was simple: to support local leaders and the work they are doing.

Click here to listen to the archived recording of this call.

Working on environmental issues--caring for creation--can be difficult, lonely, and disheartening. As the daylight hours wane and the air carries a chill, many of our religious traditions guide us to reflect on themes of light and hope in the midst of darkness: Diwali, in the Hindu tradition; Hannukah, in the Jewish tradition; and Christmas, in the Christian tradition.

For our November conference call, we invite you to reflect on the seasonal theme of light and hope in the midst of darkness and difficulty--and to share what you find with others on the call. What gives you hope? What story helps inspire you to keep working, even when things look bleak? What poem offers you a vision of how things could or should be? What prayer offers you firm footing when all else seems uncertain? Please join us and share your stories, prayers, or a favorite poem.