In the religious tradition in which I was raised (Lutheran and Christian), I learned the story of the Flood– the story of Noah and his family and the animals in the ark (Genesis 6-9). With variations, it’s a story found widely in other ancient religious traditions throughout the world. It’s a story both about the destruction o…f the world because of human folly and about hope– a divinely-enabled new beginning.

As people of faith, we are called to remember and act on the enduring lesson of this story: that our precious Earth can be destroyed by human folly and that a cleaner, healthier, more just way of living is possible.

Recently, my wife, Phylis, our eldest child, Lisa, and I watched and were inspired by Leonardo DiCaprio’s new documentary, Before the Flood. With melting polar icecaps and rising water levels around the world, “before the flood” seems an apt contemporary expression of this ancient story.

As I begin my tenure as the board chair of Michigan Interfaith Power & Light, I encourage you to watch, with family and friends, this powerful movie about “climate change– the most important moral issue of our time.”

With the inauguration this month of a new president who has been dismissive of this issue, it is more important than ever that we exercise our democratic voices as stewards of the Earth. As people of faith, we have much to say and to do in the coming months as bearers of the truth that we humans are entrusted with the sacred duty to care for our Common Home.

Especially in the face of an administration that may make our efforts more challenging, we, with Noah, have arks to build– life-sustaining vessels of truth and hope to construct.

My hope is that you will join us– and use us– the staff and board of Michigan Interfaith Power & Light, in your ark-building.

Yours in hope,

Rev. John Schleicher
Michigan IPL Board President See More