Press release from Community Roots:
A group of concerned citizens will be publicly fasting and praying for 10 days prior to Thanksgiving to focus attention on the issue of climate change. The fast and prayer will run from 7.30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 12 to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 21, the day before Thanksgiving.
Fasters will be in front of the courthouse on College Street from 7.30 a.m. to 8.30 a.m., then at the Vance Monument from 8.30 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day. A daily prayer at noon will be led by various local faith leaders, followed each day by a short talk on climate change issues. The public is invited to sit with the fasters at any time or to join in the fast for any duration.
The Thanksgiving Fast and Prayer will be lead by Steve Norris, PhD, a former Professor of Peace Studies and Environmental Justice at Warren Willson and a long-term activist. Norris, 75, has been involved in social and environmental change work since the Civil Rights movement. This time last year, he underwent major heart survey.
“I have to do something, and we as a nation must keep fossil fuels in the ground and move to renewable energy. However, there is not enough urgency for many people to engage. By fasting for ten days before Thanksgiving I intend to add light, prayer and witness to the efforts to end climate change.” says Norris.
Historically many people have seen fasting as a spiritually purifying ritual which leads to greater love and compassion for all beings, something Norris believes is sorely needed in this country at this time. Fasting has also been used in nonviolent social movements to call attention to issues, including by Gandi when all else had failed to quell violence between Hindus and Muslims in India during the struggle for independence.
Norris believes, “we can prevent catastrophic climate change and the sixth extinction, but only if we join together with focused intention, prayer and action.”
For more information, contact Kat Houghton at kat7houghton@gmail.com.
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.