Brit Holmberg

Summer 2008 Fellow, Faith in Place

I have had a very meaningful summer as a Beatitudes Fellow at Faith in Place in Chicago, IL. Faith in Place gives people of faith the tools to become good stewards of Creation. It is an exciting new organization that is having a big impact. More and more congregations are calling to ask what they can do about the looming environmental crisis. No longer is it viewed as a science issue, or an issue that only affects polar bears—people now understand that it is one of the most pressing moral issues of our time.

It has been inspiring to learn how many faith-based organizations are taking action around the environment and how much of an impact it is having. I can see how the Holy Spirit is moving and convicting people to act. It is exciting that people of faith are once again connecting to the earth and the Biblical principles of sustainability. The experience has also helped restore my hope in the church as an institution that is working for justice and transformation. It is my hope that successfully uniting on this key issue will help us to organize around other global injustices like poverty, disease, and patriarchy.

I am cognizant that there is tremendous suffering and pain in this world. But as a person of faith, I believe that love and compassion can subsume and heal it. This summer has helped me to see that the key is moving from good intentions to smart action. This process will take deep faith, new awareness, and effective organization. It will also require thoughtful and skilled leaders to help shape the way we spend our time, money, and energy in addressing these issues. Dr. MLK Jr. was right; the great enemies of our time are consumerism, militarism, and ideologies that divide us like racism and sexism. Once we begin focusing our collective energies on these truly mortal sins, we will begin to reflect the fullness of God’s love and justice. 

Strengthening the progressive Christian network for justice, compassion, & peace