SHEPHERDSTOWN — Every month, on the 11th hour of its 11th day, many religious institutions can now be heard ringing their bells and making noise to help bring awareness to the climate change crisis.
Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church and Saint Peter’s Lutheran Church are currently the two churches in Shepherdstown participating in this event, by ringing their church bells.
A committee member heard about this organization through an email, which was then forwarded to Emily Gross, the committee chair of earth and commission elder, who is heading the event. She saw it as an opportunity to help bring awareness to this issue. The church believes they are called to be stewards of the environment. Helping the earth should be one of their priorities.
“Science has been telling us for years that pollution is leading to changes across the planet,” Gross said. “[The climate crisis] is here now. We won’t be able to change anything if we don’t change anything now.”
Gross noted that the 11th Hour Calling isn’t just an event for the Presbyterian denomination, but an interfaith organization that brings people from all different religions to bring awareness.
“I think that some core beliefs across faiths all value the planet,” Gross said. “We were all given this gift and we all are called to protect it.
“Education is key,” Gross said, of what is needed to accomplish change. “When people begin to lose their comforts, people will notice. People will make a stand and make a change by making day-to-day decisions to change.”
Around 10 years ago, people were telling others about how plastic straws are polluting the ocean and impacting animals like sea turtles. Gross is involved at Shepherd University, where many students are passionate about protecting animals, because of increasing awareness of these issues. By educating and making small changes to their daily lives, people can help protect the planet.
Gross’ passion for helping the planet is rooted in her faith. She often works with people who don’t recognize the importance of protecting the planet. Gross grew up camping and traveling, but when she revisits the places she grew up camping and traveling to, she can now see clear changes caused by the declining environment.
“If I am seeing these changes in my lifetime, young children won’t be able to experience nature in its pure form,” Gross said. “These drastic changes will change their lives.”
The next ringing will be on July 11.
“We have plans to get our youth involved in the ringing in July and hope to continue in the fall,” Gross said.
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11th Hour Calling: Religious organizations bringing awareness to climate change - Shepherdstown Chronicle
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