For a study guide see page 22.


Jim Martin- Schramm


Jim Martin-Schramm, professor of religion at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, has been active in sustainability initiatives on campus since 1993 when he arrived there to teach. Luther is a charter signatory of the American College & University


Presidents Climate Commitment, which requires sus- tainability to be part of every student’s learning experi- ence and seeks eventual carbon neutrality on campuses. Luther’s goal is to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2015, by 70 percent by 2020 and to be carbon neutral by 2030. Martin-Schramm, a member of First Lutheran


Church in Decorah, also chairs the boards of Iowa Interfaith Power & Light, a mul- tidenominational group working for the planet, and the Winneshiek Energy District in Decorah. Both organizations champion energy effi ciency and renewable energy as strategies to reduce climate change and promote a more sustainable and prosperous future. “I believe we all share one voca- tion—the care and redemption


‘The love of God cannot be sepa- rated from love of neighbor .… My Christian faith calls me to do all I can to defend their interests.’


of all that God has made,” he said. “T e unconditional love of God frees me to pursue this. I can do so know- ing that, as imperfect as our eff orts may be, they are still worthy in the eyes of God. “T e love of God cannot be separated from love of


neighbor. Our neighbors include those near to us as well as those far away both in terms of distance and time. Climate change poses unprecedented threats to future generations. My Christian faith calls me to do all I can to defend their interests.”


Jim Martin-Schramm stands by one of the blades for Luther College’s 1.6 megawatt GE wind turbine that he was instrumental in bringing to Decorah, Iowa.


Members and friends of Faith Lutheran, Leavenworth, Wash., gather to dedicate one of the congregation’s major accomplishments in caring for the earth—solar panels that power a school and homes.


Faith Lutheran Church, Leavenworth, Wash.


Aſt er reading Fran- ces Moore Lappé’s book Eco-Mind: Changing the Way We T ink, To Create the World We Want (Nation Books,


2013), the earth stewardship group at Faith Lutheran Church in Leavenworth, Wash. (www.faithleavenworth. org), was deeply moved. “We realized God was calling us to take concrete,


hope-fi lled action to embody care for creation in our community, including prayer and worship, recycling, gardening and more,” said Barbara Rossing, a member of the congregation and professor of theology at LSTC. Although its members have been active in environ-


mental issues since the 1970s, this group has only been working together for two years. Among its accomplish- ments is the installation of a 96-panel community solar project on the middle school that powers the school and homes of residents who buy shares in the project. “Solar panels are a visible sign


‘I see what faith and prayer and determined action by people of faith have accom- plished together, such as ending slavery and other injustices.’


of the church’s commitment to a vision of hope for the future of the world,” Rossing said. “We are making a small but important step to help our economy transition away from fossil fuel-dependence, a vital energy shiſt refl ecting our


love for God’s people and all creation.” T e earth stewardship group’s next proj-


ect is to make “eco-Reformation” a part of the 2017 anniversary of the Reformation. T e collective eff ort is essential to


Rossing: “Without Christian community, I would despair at the enormity of the problem. But I see what faith and prayer and determined action by people of faith have accomplished together, such as ending


April 2015 17


LUTHERAN SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY AT CHICAGO


THE LEAVENWORTH ECHO


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