March 2025 News and Views
March News and Views
TAF NEWS
2025 Goals and March General Meeting
Like many of you, the TAF Coordinating Committee needed some time to process the election results, regroup, and make plans in response to the assault on democracy and climate that the new administration has initiated. After a Zoom retreat in early February, we crafted the following guiding statement and goals for the coming year:
“Our work in Third Act Faith in 2025 will focus on serving the goals of Third Act, its members, and its constituents through proclaiming faith-informed values that reflect truths deeply held across religious traditions.”
Our goals include:
Equipping and encouraging Third Actors and others to be resolute in resisting the destruction of our climate and our democracy.
Proclaiming hope and a flourishing future for all living things.
We plan to offer General Meetings that alternate between speakers who can inspire us in these challenging times, and gatherings to hear from our membership and share what we are up to. The first of these will be on Tuesday, March 25, (4:00 PM PT / 7:00 PM ET), and includes two guest speakers, Melanie Griffin of Third Act and Rev. Dr. Jim Antal of Third Act Faith, as well as time for conversation.
During the General Meeting, Melanie will talk about TA Central’s plans for the year, and there will be time for Q&A. Jim will talk briefly about how those of us in faith communities can draw in others to respond to this moment. Each speaker will be followed by a breakout session so attendees can discuss what we heard and steps to move forward. Read details and register here.
TAF Welcomes New Co-Facilitator
As of March 2025, the Rev. Jerry Cappel will join Kathleen Dickson as a Co-Facilitator of Third Act Faith. Jerry has been on the TAF Coordinating Committee since fall of 2022 and helped to organize our Service of Solidarity before the National Day of Action on 3.21.23. An ordained Episcopal priest, Jerry currently serves at St. James Episcopal Church in Shelbyville, Kentucky, and is the Environmental Network Coordinator for Province IV. He is also director and a board member of the Center for Deep Green Faith. We are grateful to Jerry for his ongoing leadership, especially at this critical moment.
We are also deeply grateful to the Rev. Betsy Bennett, who served as a Co-Facilitator from May 2023 until March 2025, and are especially for her thoughtful and compassionate guidance in the difficult months before and after the election. An Episcopal deacon in the Diocese of Nebraska, Betsy recently retired from Church of the Resurrection in Omaha and as Archdeacon of Nebraska, but continues to teach at the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry. We are pleased that Betsy will continue to serve TAF as a member of the Coordinating Committee.
TAF Shares Resources for April Celebrations
With Passover, Easter, and Earth Day right around the corner, TAF has gathered resources to help you bring earth care together with religious observance.
As Jews observe Passover (April 12-20), we recommend the haggadah entitled The Promise of the Land, written by former TAF member, the late Rabbi Ellen Bernstein, which explores the Seder's earthly grounding and ecological meaning. In addition, the Jewish environmental group Adamah provides online resources for considering sustainability throughout the eight days of Passover.
Christians can also keep earth care and sustainability in mind as they celebrate Easter (April 20) using the National Catholic Reporter’s tips for celebrating a creation-conscious Easter. The Creation Justice Ministries website has a hub of resources, where you can search by theme or liturgical season and find sermon ideas, scripture reflections, songs, and prayers.
The theme for this year’s Earth Day (April 22) celebration is “Our Power, Our Planet,” and the Earth Day website provides toolkits, fact sheets, sample petitions and press releases, and a map of Earth Day events around the world, where you can locate an action near you or post one that you are organizing.
The United Church of Christ will hold its Annual UCC Earth Day Summit on Saturday, April 26, on Zoom. The Jim Antal Keynote Lecture (named for TAF member Rev. Dr. Jim Antal) will be delivered by Katharine Hayhoe, one of the world’s leading climate scientists and an evangelical Christian. Dr. Hayhoe will be joined by a panel of frontline grassroots leaders. Learn more and register here.
Visit our website for our full details and other resources to help your faith community celebrate the upcoming holidays and connect climate action to your religious values throughout the year.
TAF CENTRAL NEWS
Third Act Trainings Support 2025 Priorities
At recent volunteer and “All-In” calls, Third Act unveiled its priorities for 2025, as we adjust to the rapidly changing situation in this country. A combination of offense and defense, TA priorities include:
Defending Democracy against the administrative coup unfolding in our country.
Smart Local Solar Energy, to make the transition to solar easier.
Climate Finance, pressuring legislatures and banks to stop funding fossil fuel expansion.
Stopping Gas Expansion by blocking new gas plants, “peakers,” and pipelines.
Inflation Reduction Act 2025 to defend the legislation and access funds already available in the states.
To achieve these priorities, Third Act is offering a series of online trainings, which include Fundamentals of Organizing, Solar 101, How to Grow and Build an Online Community, How to Wage Winning Campaigns, Backing Up Targeted Communities, Intergenerational Organizing/Eldering. See details and register at the 2025 Third Act Training Portal.
As we all come to terms with this new reality, we hope you’ll consider which of these trainings can help you, your congregation, and your community take meaningful action. Watch for details about how TAF will engage with these priorities.
NEWS FROM PARTNERS & FRIENDS
Sign GreenFaith’s No Faith in Fossil Fuels Petition
GreenFaith invites people of faith to join them in telling our leaders that we put no faith in the expansion of fossil fuels, and we want our government to stop subsidizing destruction and start investing in our communities and a livable future.
Their letter to President Trump and congressional leaders begins: “As faith leaders and people of faith from across the U.S., we urgently call on the government to end fossil fuel subsidies and halt fossil gas expansion. Our traditions teach us to care for the planet and protect the vulnerable. Yet the U.S. spends $20 billion annually subsidizing fossil fuels, fueling pollution, climate destruction, and harming frontline communities while enriching polluters.”
Read the full petition and add your signature here.
Blessed Tomorrow Hosts National Faith + Climate Forum 2025
“Be part of a powerful, nationwide event that brings together thousands of people of faith to explore how we can care for creation and take meaningful climate action.” That’s the opening sentence introducing Blessed Tomorrow’s upcoming one-day conference to build a faith response to climate change.
Last year’s event drew almost 1500 participants from over 500 faith communities. This year the forum takes place on March 27 from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM PT/12:00 PM to 5:30 PM ET, and is expected to be even larger.
You can sign up to attend at one of more than 80 physical locations or attend virtually with live streaming to your home. Participation is free, but you need to register. Whether you are new to creation care or are a seasoned advocate, this conference will equip you to engage more deeply in the religious climate movement.
CLIMATE GOOD NEWS
Solar Energy Breaks Record for Energy Growth
Last month we covered growth in solar energy in the U.S. and worldwide, and recent stats reinforce that trend. As the New York Times reports (free link), the U.S. power grid added more solar capacity in 2024 than from any source in a single year in more than two decades.
Speaking on behalf of the solar industry, Abigail Ross Hopper said that the fastest and cheapest way to meet increasing energy demands of data centers running artificial intelligence is through the expansion of solar and storage, countering the Trump administration’s claims that renewable energy cannot meet the world’s needs and will drive up costs.
Induction Stoves Become More Affordable
In her newsletter, climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe reports that induction stoves are faster, cheaper, and easier to install than earlier models. Induction cooking uses magnetic induction so only the pan heats up, not the cooktop itself, which is safer, more energy efficient, and avoids the health risks associated with gas ranges.
Hayhoe reports that induction stoves are now about the same price as regular electric stoves, and a start-up called Copper has developed an induction stove that can be plugged into a standard outlet, instead of requiring a 240-volt outlet. For those still cooking with gas, Hayhoe offers tips to mitigate the health impacts.
UPCOMING EVENTS
March 24: Welcome to Third Act: Let’s Get Started. (Zoom), 4:30 PM PT / 7:30 PM ET. REGISTER HERE.
March 25: TAF General Meeting with Breakouts. (Zoom), 4:00 PM PT / 7:00 PM ET. REGISTER HERE.
March 26: Working Group Launch: Third Act Michigan. (Zoom), 4:00 PM PT / 7:00 PM ET. REGISTER HERE.
April 5: Hands Off! National Day of Action. Various locations and times across the country. Use this link to sign up as a member of Third Act.
April 24: Hope & Joy: Your Life As Sacred Ground – A Conversation with Mirabai Starr. (Zoom), 4:00 PM PT / 7:00 PM ET REGISTER HERE.
We encourage you to visit thirdact.org/events to see the full list of Third Act events, including virtual and in-person events that geographic working groups may be holding in your area.
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