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Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia are blessed with many skilled speakers whose environmental work is rooted in their faith tradition, and with passionate environmental educators who know how to share green skills and enthusiasm with diverse religious groups. The speakers and teachers below are ready to offer guest sermons, text studies, adult forum presentations, youth group programming and skills workshops on environmental themes in local congregations. Unless otherwise noted, honorarium for guest sermon or 1-hour workshop is $150 (including $50 deposit to confirm date). To schedule one of these speakers for your congregation, email program[at]gwipl[dot]org

Rose M. Berger
Religious Tradition: Roman Catholic
Programs offered: guest sermon, adult education
Program description: Some themes for sermons or adult Bible study:
Caring for the Least of These: Matthew 25, Christians, and Climate Change
Birds of the Air: Luke 12, Ecology, and Economics,
Standing on Holy Ground: Christian Theology of Creation Care or any topics on which Ms.  Berger has written for Sojourners Magazine, or a theme to be tailored to the needs of the individual congregation.
Program suitable for: Christian (any denomination)
Lives in: Columbia Heights, Washington DC
Location availability: Prefer DC and Maryland  
Rose Marie Berger is a Catholic peace activist and writer. She is a longtime associate editor at the award-winning progressive Christian magazine Sojourners and a regular columnist on spirituality, creation care, scripture, nonviolence, and social justice. Berger is the author of “Who Killed Donte Manning?: The Story of an American Neighborhood” (2010).
Suggested honorarium: $150 (including $50 deposit to confirm date).
To schedule: program[at]gwipl[dot]org
Has spoken at: Church of the Epiphany, St. Camillus Catholic Church, Church Women United

Dr. William Blair
Religious Tradition: Christian/Presbyterian
Programs offered: youth program, adult education
Program description: Global Warming and Climate Change from Scientific and Faith Perspectives. As a scientist, Dr. Blair attempts to cut through the misinformation and misunderstandings that are so rampant in the public discussion of these issues, but as a person of faith, he is also motivated by his personal awe and fascination with God’s Creation. Dr. Blair knows how to “bring it down to earth,” providing engaging and understandable presentations for all ages.
Program suitable for: any congregation
Lives in: Towson, MD
Location availability: Typically within an hour of Baltimore, although special cases will be considered.
Dr. William Blair is an astronomer by training and is a research professor in Physics & Astronomy at Johns Hopkins University. He is also a science educator, and has given many public talks, including topics related to science and religion, astronomy, and climate change issues. Dr. Blair also directs the Creation Care Group in the Presbytery of Baltimore, a group that seeks to engage and support churches in establishing and growing creation care ministries.
Suggested honorarium: $150 (including $50 deposit to confirm date).
To schedule: program[at]gwipl[dot]org

Dottie Bockstiegel
Religious Tradition: Ecumenical Protestant (8th Day Faith Community of Church of the Saviour)
Programs offered: guest sermon, youth program, adult education
Program description: Dottie offers a talk, an original poem, and a video about Mountain Top Coal mining and the terrible effects it has on those who live near it, as well as how it affects all of us. The lesson includes the struggle of a small group of people in southwest Virginia trying to save the mountain that sits right over their town.
Program suitable for: Any congregation
Lives in: Washington, DC
Location availability: Has a car; would be willing to go anywhere in the area.
Scheduling availability: Any day with enough notice.
Dottie Bockstiegel is one of the founders of a L’Arche community which provides homes for people who have intellectual disabilities. She have been active in the Church of the Savior in DC for over 37 years. Dottie visited the people who live in Appalachia, a town in southwest Virginia, who are trying to save their mountain and became very interested and concerned about their struggle.
Suggested honorarium: $50
To schedule: program[at]gwipl[dot]org

Kolya Braun-Greiner
Religious Tradition: Christian/United Methodist
Programs offered: guest sermon, youth program, adult education
Program description: Leads a worship service with sermon focused on environmental stewardship. Offers an interactive/reflective class, workshop, or day retreat for adults or youth on care for Creation, rooted in biblical teaching and church tradition.
Program suitable for: Christian (any denomination)
Lives in: Takoma Park, Maryland
Location availability: Especially, but not limited, to Metro-accessible
Scheduling availability: A Sunday morning or afternoon is best.  
Kolya Braun-Greiner attended Union Theological Seminary in New York City (’92),  M.Div., where she helped form a student group, the “Ecologians.” Kolya’s passion for faith-based social justice and ecological concerns spans her career. She served on the staff of United Methodist Women (’93-’00) where she addressed social justice issues impacting women and children. An experienced facilitator and speaker, Kolya has led groups on the environment, Native American land rights, advocacy for farm workers, and non-violence for youth and adults. Kolya currently works for the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change, where she wrote the curriculum “Creation Cries for Justice: Climate Change Impacts & Faithful Response,” for JustFaith Ministries.
Suggested honorarium: $150 (including $50 deposit to confirm date).
To schedule: program[at]gwipl[dot]org
Has spoken at: Emanuel United Methodist Church

Barry Chenkin
Programs offered: how-to workshop
Program description: Learn how to conserve water by installing a rain barrel on your congregational building. Participants can put together their own rain barrels to take home.
Program suitable for: Any congregation
Lives in: Gaithersburg, Maryland
Location availability: Maryland, Northern Virginia, or DC
Scheduling availability: Weekends are best.
When Barry Chenkin couldn’t locate very functional rain barrel products, he developed his own. Now, his efforts have blossomed into  Aquabarrel, a rain barrel education and marketing business.
Suggested honorarium: $150 (including $50 deposit to confirm date).
To schedule: program[at]gwipl[dot]org
Has spoken at: Silverbrook United Methodist Church

Rachel B. Cohen
Religious Tradition: Reform Judaism
Programs offered: youth program, adult education, how-to workshop
Program description: Rachel’s main area of focus is federal advocacy, particularly on clean vehicles and transportation issues, and she has extensive experience teaching high school students about energy/environmental issues. She can speak about policy work, integrating advocacy with educational and programmatic work, and programming around Jewish holidays. She has also worked on sustainable food issues and worked with many congregations looking to go green, and can present or lead a conversation on these topics.
Program suitable for: Jewish communities (any denomination)
Lives in: Columbia Heights
Location availability: Prefer Metro accessible but have ZipCar if needed. In or close to the District definitely preferred.
Rachel Cohen is the National Outreach Coordinator with the Clean Vehicles team at the Union of Concerned Scientists. She served previously as Sustainability Program Coordinator and legislative assistant at the Religious Action Center, the Washington office of the Reform Movement. She has led several efforts to “green” the institutions of the Reform Movement and staffed the Union’s Shulchan Yarok, Shulchan Tzedek (Green Table, Just Table) Biennial initiative on sustainable, ethical eating. Rachel holds a B.A. in Political Science from Washington University in St. Louis, and loves working in and exploring Washington, D.C.
Suggested honorarium: $150 (including $50 deposit to confirm date).
To schedule: program[at]gwipl[dot]org

Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin
Religious Tradition: Jewish
Programs offered: guest sermon, adult education
Program description: Biblical, rabbinic and spiritual approaches to environmentalism and  sustainability–that is, what our tradition says and how we are enriched by a greater awareness of our  daily, personal choices and behaviors.
Lives in: Baltimore County
Location availability: Maryland suburbs, preferably
Scheduling availability: Unavailable Friday nights or Saturdays
Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin is the Director of the Baltimore Jewish Environmental Network. She writes regularly on her green spiritual blog which appears both on the BJEN and the Baltimore Jewish Times websites. She also serves on the boards of Chesapeake Covenant Community and the Baltimore Tree Trust.
Suggested honorarium: At least $300 (including $50 deposit to confirm date).
To schedule: program[at]gwipl[dot]org
Has spoken at: Congregation Beth El, Beth Shalom Congregation

Reid Detchon
Religious Tradition: Episcopalian (St. Columba’s Episcopal Church)
Programs offered: adult education
Program description: To Christian congregations, a discussion of why our faith compels us to care and act on climate change; to anyone, a discussion of the science and politics of climate change; to any congregation, a discussion of ways congregations can get involved through an environment committee and direct action.
Program suitable for: any congregation
Lives in: Bethesda, MD
Location availability: DC area. Metro accessible is preferred but not required.
Scheduling availability: any time with proper notice
Reid Detchon is vice president for energy and climate at the United Nations Foundation.  He is also executive director of the Energy Future Coalition, a public policy initiative that focuses on U.S. energy policy with regard to oil dependence, climate change, and global energy access.  He was a founder of the environment committee at St. Columba’s Episcopal Church, where he has also served on the vestry, and has served as chair of the environment committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington and as chair of the steering committee of Interfaith Power and Light (MD•DC•NoVA).
Suggested honorarium: $150 (including $50 deposit to confirm date), all of which goes to IPL (MD•DC•NoVA).
To schedule: program[at]gwipl[dot]org
Has spoken at: Christ Church Alexandria, Episcopal Church of the Ascension, Humanities Council of DC, Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, St. John’s Episcopal Church in McLean

William D. Dinges
Religious Tradition: Catholic
Program Description: Addresses adult education groups on a variety of issues relating to religion and ecology, as he has done in Catholic parish settings for years
Program Suitable for: any congregation
Location Availability: DC metro area
William D. Dinges is a professor of religion and culture in the School of Theology and Religious Studies at the Catholic University of America, where he has taught a course on Religion and Ecology for the past 15 years.  He is also a member of the Washington Archdiocesan Environmental Outreach Committee and the St. John the Baptist (Silver Spring) Eco-Ministry group. William has been active in the Chesapeake Covenant Communities group and various environmental initiatives at Catholic University.  He is a native western Kansan, a certified Master Composter, and a serious gardener.
Suggested honorarium: $150 (including $50 deposit to confirm date).
To schedule: program[at]gwipl[dot]org

Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb
Religious Tradition: Jewish (Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation)
Programs offered: guest sermon, how-to workshop or class
Program description: Addresses Jewish environmental education and activism, greening congregations, and/or interfaith approaches to Creation care.
Program suitable for: any congregation
Lives in: Washington, DC
Location availability: west Bethesda, preferably; occasionally can travel further afield, to most anywhere in the metro area
Scheduling availability: M-F during the day preferred; weeknights and Sabbath (Saturday) more difficult.
Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb‘s full-time commitments are as Rabbi of Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation (an EPA Energy Star congregation) in Bethesda Maryland, and as family with Minna, Sara, and Gilad. He also serves as the Chair of the Steering Committee of Interfaith Power & Light (MD•DC•NoVA), among other religious environmental volunteer efforts, including serving on the steering committees of Religious Witness for the Earth and the National Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life. Besides much eco-Jewish research and writing, he recently received a Doctor of Ministry from Wesley Theological Seminary, with a thesis on religion and ecology.
Suggested honorarium: $150 (including $50 deposit to confirm date), all of which goes to IPL (MD•DC•NoVA).
To schedule: program[at]gwipl[dot]org
Has spoken at: Baltimore Jewish Environmental Network, InterFaith Conference assembly meeting, All Souls Memorial Episcopal Church, Partnership for Jewish Life and Learning, Saint Camillus Catholic Church, Tar Sands Action Interfaith Prayer Vigil, Bethesda United Church of Christ

Self- Discussion Circle Global Warming: Changing CO2urse
Programs offered: workshop
Program description: Form a discussion group of 8-12 people in your congregation to meet for five sessions  guided by the Simplicity Matters Earth Institute’s discussion circle curriculum, Global Warming: Changing  CO2urse. Discussion circles provide an opportunity to hold deep and meaningful conversations about climate  change, with lots of personal stories. Participants will learn together and offer each other support in considering lifestyle changes leading to a simpler and more sustainable future. The curriculum guides the circle participants in exploring personal values and habits as they relate to climate change; deepening in understanding of the history and science of climate change; and considering both individual and community level actions to curb climate change.
Circles are peer-facilitated, with participants taking turns leading the group. There is no teacher, no preacher, and no expert. Discussion circle participants learn from self-reflection and through discussion with others, and create their own learning experience, which is different for each group. In the DC area, a volunteer facilitator from SMEI can attend the introductory and “wrap-up” sessions to assist with getting started and identifying next steps.
*A new mini-course, Powering a Bright Future, is now available and explores issues related to current energy use and extraction, peak oil, fossil fuel subsidies, energy efficiency, equity, energy policy and even low carbon food tips. Cost is $10, available in PDF format.
Program suitable for: any congregation
Location availability: Can meet in your congregation or in private homes; your discussion circle participants can decide where to meet.
Scheduling availability: Five sessions, weekly or bi-weekly. Timing is up to your discussion circle.
Since 2004, the Simplicity Matters Earth Institute has engaged people across Washington, DC, and Maryland in the journey to live more lightly. SMEI believes that real change happens within small groups engaging in deep conversations about things that really matter. SMEI is part of the Northwest Earth Institute Sister Network, and organizes discussion circles based on the NWEI discussion guides. More information here.
Cost of program: Curriculum books: $20 each + $6 shipping for one or two books, and $12 shipping for 3-15 books.
To convene a discussion circle for your congregation: program[at]gwipl[dot]org

Rev. Terence Ellen
Religious Tradition: Unitarian Universalist
Programs offered: guest sermon, youth program, adult education, how-to workshop
Program description: As the Executive Director of Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice and a board member of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network — which Bill McKibben has called the best regional environmental advocacy organization in the US — Rev. Ellen can speak to the moral imperative for religious communities to address climate warming. Further, he can present the wonderful possibility of using one of the greatest wind-power resources on the planet, just off our shore, to move not only this area, but the whole US, toward sustainable energy and so move the U.S. toward being a leader, rather than an obstructer, of the whole planet in meeting this, the greatest moral issue of our time.
Program suitable for: any congregation
Lives in: Baltimore, Maryland
Location availability: Flexible
Scheduling availability: Flexible
Rev. Terence Ellen has been a Unitarian Universalist minister for 25 years, serving mostly in parish settings until the last five years in a social justice ministry. He was previously an insulation installer in New England during the initial oil embargo days of the 1970′s, where he learned the importance of energy usage as a moral issue. Convinced by Thomas Berry and Brian Swimme of the primary religious importance of the preservation of the Earth as we have known it, and by Bill McKibben, James Hansen, Mike Tidwell, and others of the threat of global warming to ourselves, other species, and all future generations, Rev. Ellen see the response of religious communities to this threat as the primary work given to us as members of this sacred wider community of which we have the supreme privilege of being a part.
To schedule: program[at]gwipl[dot]org
Has spoken at: Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fredericksburg

Peter Ensign
Programs offered: how-to workshop
Program description: Learn about green infrastructure and low impact development technologies and their benefits. Participate in a hands-on demonstration by assembling a green roof model. Look at options for rain gardens, rain barrels and green roofs on your building site.
Program suitable for: any congregation
Lives in: Washington, DC
Location availability: DC, Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties
Scheduling availability: Flexible
Peter Ensign is Executive Director of DC Greenworks, a 501c3 non-profit that is leading the growth of a green industry that improves the environmental health of our communities in DC and across the Chesapeake Bay Watershed by restoring and renewing waterways, habitats, and communities – unlocking long-term economic opportunities for the region and its inhabitants.
To schedule: program[at]gwipl[dot]org

Jessica Gordon
Religious Tradition: Jewish (Tikkun Leil Shabbat)
Program types: guest sermon, youth program, adult education
Program description: Can explain domestic and international climate change law, policy concerns, and climate justice issues. With additional preparation, can tie these to Judaism.
Lives in: Washington DC
Location availability: NW DC, or anywhere accessible by Metro
Scheduling availability: Not available Tuesday nights and most Friday nights
Jessica Gordon is a climate change attorney at the Environmental Protection Agency.* She helps to organize both a Jewish lay-led prayer community and her home’s compost bin.
*for identification purposes only.
Suggested honorarium: negotiable
To schedule: program[at]gwipl[dot]org

Caryl Henry-Alexander & Jesse Alexander
Religious Tradition: West African Traditional Earth-Based, Progressive Baptist, Presbyterian, Jewish, Unitarian Universalist
Programs offered: creative collaborative program for families, adults, or youth
Program description: A hands-on art and poetry workshop — inspired by African and African-American traditions — that can support your congregation’s commitment to faith-based environmental action by offering. Each workshop is designed specifically to fit your community’s goals. Caryl and Jesse will offer a unique presentation on your specified environmental subject with poetry and art. Participants share ideas and develop visual and literary interpretations to develop our project’s concept. Together, we will interweave our impressions into an artwork that is created as an environmental visual affirmation. Your congregation will have created an artwork that will live as a symbol of your collective and diverse vision for environmental action by people of faith.
Program suitable for: any congregation
Lives in: Maryland
Location availability: Flexible
Scheduling availability: Flexible
Visual artist and educator Caryl Henry Alexander has been commissioned to create murals, sculptures, site-specific installations, and paintings both here and abroad (bigbangbanners.com). She has exhibited extensively throughout the United States as well as in Nigeria, France and Cuba. Caryl was a lecturer at the California College of Arts and Crafts and was a founding member of the Multi-Cultural artist organization called Salad Bar. Since relocating to Maryland, Caryl has been active in the art education community, offering curriculum-integrated residencies in schools throughout Maryland, and teaching at Maryland Artists and Teachers Institute.
Jesse Alexander is an electrical engineer, performance poet, micro-publisher, and finalist in the 1999 Allen Ginsberg Poetry contest. He has been featured at the Knitting Factory, Groove Drops, and the Sumei Multidisciplinary Center, and his work has appeared in Sojourners Magazine, The Drumming Between Us: Black Love & Erotic Poetry, and Drumvoices Revue: A Confluence of Literary, Cultural & Visual Arts. An 18-year veteran of Bell Labs, Jesse holds a Master of Engineering degree in electrical engineering from Howard University. He supports his poetry, ham radio, and science fiction addictions by designing system documentation for the IT industry.
Jesse and Caryl are green team leaders at Davies Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church in Camp Springs MD.
Suggested honorarium: for 4-hour workshop (or two 2-hour sessions) is negotiable (including $50 deposit to confirm date).
To schedule: program[at]gwipl[dot]org

Sarah Jawaid
Religious Tradition: Islam
Programs offered: guest sermon, youth program, adult education, how-to workshop,  holiday/liturgical program
Program description: Willing to talk about anything related to Islam and the environment. Has also offered presentations on sacred spaces and how we can better connect to the world around us  by analyzing the spiritual and psychological impact spaces have on us. “I believe the internal world and the external reality have a reciprocal relationship,” says Sarah. “The better we understand our spiritual condition, the more likely we will understand our impact on the world.”
Program suitable for: any congregation
Lives in: Dupont Circle, DC
Location availability: Metro accessible or pick-up/drop-off accommodations appreciated.
Scheduling availability: Weeknights work best, but some weekends also possible.
Sarah Jawaid is an urban planner and environmentalist. She works on affordable housing advocacy at a non-profit in Washington, D.C. She also helps to organize events with Green Muslims, a group of eco-conscious Muslims working to understand the connections between the environment, faith, and holistic living. She is also an artist and has showcased her artwork at various galleries and cafes in the Washington area. Sarah is originally from Southern California where she received a B.S. from the University of Southern California in Public Policy and an MA in Urban Planning from the University of California, Irvine.
Suggested honorarium: $150 (including $50 deposit to confirm date).
To schedule: program[at]gwipl[dot]org
Has spoken at: Humanities Council of DC, American University Student Methodists

Alexei Laushkin
Religious Tradition: Christian
Programs offered: guest sermon, youth program, adult education
Program description: Global Warming and the Risen Lord
This presentation follows the work of Rev. Jim Ball Ph.D. as reflected in his book, “Global Warming  in the Risen Lord: Christian Discipleship and Climate Change.” The presentation walks the  congregation through the impacts of climate change that we can expect in our lifetime. There is a special focus and concern for the poor and vulnerable at home and around the world. The second segment focuses on the spiritual and theological resources needed to help ground our walk and work in caring for God’s creation and how Christian theology can help us overcome the challenges of global warming. The final segment focuses on the solutions.
Program suitable for: Christian churches
Lives in: Alexandria, VA
Location availability: anywhere
Scheduling availability: any time
Alexei Laushkin is the Senior Director for Communications at the Evangelical Environmental Network. A graduate of Claremont McKenna College, he lives with his wife in Alexandria, Virginia.
Suggested honorarium: $150 (including $50 deposit to confirm date).
To schedule: program[at]gwipl[dot]org
Has spoken at: Christ Church Alexandria, Church of the Covenant Presbyterian

Mike Little
Religious Tradition: Christian (Ecumenical: Church of the Saviour DC)
Programs offered: guest sermon, youth program, adult education
Program description: Explores the Biblical, personal, and cultural dimensions of our relationship  to money, reflects theologically on the place of money in the realm of God, and examines the power of  money in our lives and its impact on our families, institutions, and the world. Sermons, adult  education, and day workshops discuss the connection between our faith and our money and resources,  and helps empower people to explore their beliefs, attitudes, and practices regarding money.
Program suitable for: any congregation
Lives in: Silver Spring, MD
Location availability: anywhere with proper notice
Scheduling availability: any time with proper notice
Mike Little has twenty-five years of experience with, and commitment to, faith-based, justice-seeking movements for social change. He has a commitment to interfaith dialogue, and is a student of silence and centering prayer. He is a member of the the Church of the Saviour in NW DC, co-pastor of Lazarus Church, and director of Faith and Money Network.
Suggested honorarium: $150 (including $50 deposit to confirm date).
To schedule: program[at]gwipl[dot]org

Jakir Manela
Religious Tradition: Jewish
Programs offered: sustainable celebrations and classes at Pearlstone Center; youth program, adult education, how-to program
Program descriptions:
*Sustainable Celebration Workshop: Through fun, hands-on activities, explore the social and environmental impact of your upcoming celebration by weighing eco-friendly options for invitations, food, service hours, lodging, and travel.
*Teacher Trainings: Pearlstone educators will help train your staff to start and maintain an educational community garden. Topics ranging from goal articulation to design to curricular modeling.
*Experiential Education: At Pearlstone- meet the animals, learn about sustainable agriculture and discover Jewish farming. In your congregation- indoor gardening activities, such as worm composting, terrariums, pickling, and container gardening.
*Jewish Education: Text studies in Torah, land, ecology, and agriculture. Guest sermons.
*Interfaith Farm School: Join Pearlstone Center for an 8-session family program exploring faith-based connections to agriculture, food, and justice. Families of diverse backgrounds gather on the farm for experiential, hands-on, outdoor education, facilitating connections between communities and land.
Program suitable for: any congregation
Lives in: Reisterstown, MD
Location availability: anywhere with proper notice
Scheduling availability: any time with proper notice
Jakir Manela is the founder and director of Kayam Farm. Jakir came to Pearlstone in 2006 by way of the Teva Learning Center, COEJL, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Jakir has managed the farm while supervising staff, teaching educational programs, developing curriculum, and working with volunteers.
Suggested honorarium: Varies, please inquire for details.
To schedule: program[at]gwipl[dot]org

Evonne Marzouk
Religious Tradition: Jewish (Orthodox)
Programs offered: guest sermon, adult education, holiday/liturgical program
Program description: Text study and lecture on a range of holiday and Torah topics as they relate  to the environment; model Tu Bishvat seders. Also available to partner with  congregations/communities to design youth programs that will work for you.
Program suitable for: Jewish (any denomination)
Location availability: anywhere in the DC area
Scheduling availability: any time with proper notice; on Shabbat (Friday or Saturday), only able to speak if an Orthodox community is nearby (within 1.5 miles).
Evonne Marzouk is the founder and Executive Director of Canfei Nesharim (www.CanfeiNesharim.org). Connecting traditional Jewish texts with contemporary scientific findings, Canfei Nesharim educates and empowers Jewish individuals, organizations and communities to take an active role in protecting the environment, in order to build a more sustainable world. Evonne has spoken worldwide on the Torah-environment connection, and also currently leads the “Kayamut Circle,” a regular gathering of Jews learning to protect the environment based in Silver Spring, MD, where she lives with her husband and son. In 2009, she was selected as one of The New York Jewish Week‘s “36 under 36.” In addition, Evonne has worked for ten years in the Office of International and Tribal Affairs at EPA (though talks given through IPL (MD•DC•NoVA) Speakers’ Bureau relate to Evonne’s role at Canfei Nesharim, not EPA). Evonne is also the founder and leader of Jewcology.com, a social media portal which is bringing Jews who care about the environment together from around the world to network and engage each other in shared campaigns.
Suggested honorarium: $150 (including $50 deposit to confirm date).
To schedule: program[at]gwipl[dot]org
Has spoken at: Kehila Chadasha

Ellen Cecile McBarnette
Religious Tradition: Episcopalian
Programs offered: youth program, adult education, how-to workshop, holiday/liturgical program
Program description: Has a drafted “Adult Forum” presentation entitled “One Christian’s  Understanding of Green,” and has another in draft form entitled “Faith, Love, Duty and the Earth.”  Her business currently runs green job programs and energy consulting programs (visit the site  at www.urbansolarsolutions.com). Has close to 20 years of experience in environmental advocacy.
Program suitable for: any congregation, Christian (any denomination)
Lives in: Washington, DC
Location availability: within 2 hours of DC
Scheduling availability: any time with proper notice
As an African-American New York City girl exposed to the beauty of wilderness as a child, Ellen Cecile McBarnette began her environmental advocacy career in high school. She went on to graduate from Smith College with a degree in economics with a concentration in environmental aspects of international development. She worked in public policy for many years, including as a lobbyist for the Sierra Club in the Environmental Quality and Global Warming/Energy Campaigns. She became an eco-retailer and energy consultant in 2005. She is the owner of Urban Solar Solutions, LLC, and the leader of the Diocese of Washington’s Environmental Committee.
Suggested honorarium: $150 (including $50 deposit to confirm date).
To schedule: program[at]gwipl[dot]org
Has spoken at: Palisades Community Church

Danielle Meitiv
Religious Tradition: Jewish – Conservative – Tifereth Israel, DC
Programs offered: youth program, adult education
Program description: Danielle offers a Powerpoint presentation and/or talk on the science of climate change, its impacts and what can be done to heal the planet.
Program suitable for: any faith tradition; can also tailor presentation for a Jewish audience
Lives in: Silver Spring, MD
Location availability: DC and Maryland; prefers Metro-accessible locations
Scheduling availability: Prefers weekdays but can be flexible. Will not travel on Shabbat (sundown Friday evenings through sundown Saturday evenings).
Danielle Meitiv is an oceanographer by training who works as a climate scientist for the Clean Air Task Force (www.catf.us).  She specializes in near-term solutions to reduce warming gases and aerosols in Asia and on the impacts of climate change on the oceans. Danielle has taught environment awareness to all ages from kindergarten to adults in settings as diverse as classrooms, coral reefs, salt marshes, forests, in print, on the air, and in the urban forests and parks of New York City. In 2006, Danielle co-led a course as part of Brandeis’ Genesis Program titled “Sources and Resources: Jewish Values, Humanity, and the Environment.”
Suggested honorarium: $150 (including $50 deposit to confirm date).
To schedule: program[at]gwipl[dot]org

Dan Misleh
Religious Tradition: Roman Catholic
Programs Offered: youth program, adult education, holiday/liturgical program
Program description: Dan offers presentations around the country on a Catholic approach to  climate change. As executive director of the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change, he spearheaded  efforts to design and promote the Coalition’s signature initiative, the Catholic Climate Covenant: The  St. Francis Pledge to Care for Creation and the Poor. He is very knowledgeable about the variety of  efforts by Catholic organizations, dioceses, parishes and schools seeking to honor the Creator by protecting Creation.
Lives in: Cheverly, Maryland
Location availability: Any Catholic parishes within driving distance of Metro DC.
Program suitable for: Catholic, Eastern Orthodox congregations
Dan Misleh is a baptized Catholic who has dedicated his career to promoting Catholic social teaching first as a Jesuit Volunteer and through his work at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops both as an advisor on domestic policy issues, including the environment, and as director of diocesan relations for the Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development.  In 2006 he became the founding director of the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change which advances Catholic teaching on this issue by working with existing Catholic institutions and encouraging integration of climate change activities — consistent with Church teaching — into their ongoing activities and through their networks.
Suggested honorarium: $150 (including $50 deposit to confirm date).
To schedule: program[at]gwipl[dot]org
Has spoken at: St. Patrick’s Catholic Church

Beth Norcross
Religious Tradition: Methodist
Programs Offered: guest sermons, congregational talks, adult or older youth education, outdoor  studies
Program Descriptions: Beth speaks and preaches on the Scriptural and ecological imperatives to protect the earth. She also leads workshops and retreats on greening congregations and nature and spirituality.
Lives in: Arlington, VA
Scheduling Availability: Will schedule on a case-by-case basis
Program suitable for: Any congregation
As an adjunct faculty member in eco-theology at Wesley Theological Seminary, Beth Norcross encourages pastors-in-training to infuse earth care into their developing theologies. Combining a long career in the environmental field with theological training, Beth has written a number of educational resources, including a recently completed five-session religious study guide to the new Ken Burns film “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.” Beth serves as vice-chair of the steering committee of Interfaith Power & Light (MD•DC•NoVA).
Suggested honorarium: $150 (including $50 deposit to confirm date).
To schedule: program[at]gwipl[dot]org
Has spoken at: Chesapeake Covenant Communities, Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church, Silverbrook United Methodist Church

Joelle Novey
Religious Tradition: Jewish
Programs offered: Adult forum, guest sermon, family workshop
Program Descriptions:
What is Happening to Our World? A 1-hour adult presentation summarizing the evidence of climate  change from scientific temperature measurements and from the natural world. Slides are based on  those prepared by Katherine Hayhoe, climate scientist at Texas Tech University and author of Climate for Change: Global Warming Facts for Faith-Based Decisions. Throughout, participants are invited to articulate how this information makes them feel, and how their faith traditions and values might lead them to respond.
Green & Just Celebrations What if every dollar families spent on weddings and bar and bat mitzvah celebrations in the DC area were spent in a way that reflected the values of the congregations where these events took place? In a workshop for adults or teens or families, Joelle invites participants to identify opportunities to make celebration-related purchases that care for the Earth and are mindful of workers.
Guest sermon Joelle can give a dvar torah on themes of climate and environment in any Jewish congregation. Also happy to give a guest sermon in congregations of other religious traditions, with a little guidance from folks at the congregation!
Joelle Novey is the director of Interfaith Power & Light (MD•DC•NoVA). Most recently, Joelle worked at Green America (formerly Co-op America), where she wrote dozens of articles about greener living for the organization’s newsletter and magazine. She is a founder of Tikkun Leil Shabbat, an independent Jewish community in Washington DC which has hosted speakers from environmental and social justice organizations. She is the co-author of Green and Just Celebrations, a purchasing guide for local congregations for assisting families in making greener purchasing decisions around weddings and bar and bat mitzvah celebrations. Joelle is a magna cum laude graduate of Harvard University where she received a BA in Social Studies, and completed the coursework for a minor in the Study of Religion. For more than a year, she counseled hospital patients of all backgrounds and led interfaith worship services through a chaplain training program at Washington Hospital Center.
Suggested honorarium: negotiable.
To schedule: program[at]gwipl[dot]org
Has spoken at: All Souls Memorial Episcopal, Beth Chai Jewish Humanist Congregation, Beth Shalom Congregation, Christ Church Alexandria, Clarendon Presbyterian Church, Davies Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church, DC Green Festival, Eighth Day Faith Community, First Congregational United Church of Christ, InterFaith Conference assembly meeting, Resurrection Catholic Church, River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Seekers Church, Shirat HaNefesh, St. John’s Episcopal Church McLean, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Temple Rodef Shalom, Union of Concerned Scientists, Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, Unitarian Universalist Church of Frederick, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Sterling, Virginia Theological Seminary, Watershed Stewards Academy, Wesley Theological Seminary

Byron Sandford
Religious Tradition: Quaker (William Penn House)
Programs offered: youth program, adult education
Program description: Lecture format with power point program on the effects of climate change, the  options available to mitigate climate change. This presentation incorporates material from The Climate project.
Program suitable for: any congregation
Lives in: Washington, DC
Location availability: DC and surrounding counties
Scheduling availability: not available on the third Wednesday of each month and has trips planned throughout the year–proper notice necessary
Byron Sandford is the executive director of William Penn House, a Quaker center on Capitol Hill that provides service learning opportunities on poverty, privilege and the environment. William Penn House is a demonstration project on runoff of rain water through a rain garden and vegetated roof. Byron has been a Quaker for over 30 years and subscribes to the Quaker maxim, that we let our lives speak.
Suggested honorarium: $150 (including $50 deposit to confirm date).
To schedule: program[at]gwipl[dot]org

Rev. Rebekah Simon-Peter
Religious Tradition: United Methodist Church
Programs offered: guest sermon, adult education, how-to workshop, holiday/liturgical program
Program description: Learn the three must-dos that make greening your church a fun, spiritual, and sustainable process! The Rev. Rebekah Simon-Peter, author of the popular Green Church series of books, including “7 Simple Steps to Green Your Church,” will join you by Skype to reveal them: You’ll get practical tips to build momentum, lessen resistance and avoid burnout, and have a great time in the process!
Program suitable for: any congregation
Lives in: Casper, WY
Location availability: Can call in with Skype for workshops, be brought in as keynote for big green events.
Scheduling availability: Any day or time is fine.
Rev. Rebekah Simon-Peter, founder of BridgeWorks and an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church, is a sought-after and inspiring coach and speaker on both interfaith and environmental issues. As a trained and experienced naturalist and scientist, she is enthusiastic about bridging the gap between faith and action in the care of Creation.
Suggested honorarium: Varies, please inquire for details.
To schedule: program[at]gwipl[dot]org

Angela Smith
Religious Tradition: Baltimore Food & Faith Project
Programs offered: adult education, how-to workshop
Program description: 30 to 90 minute talks on how our current industrial food system impacts environmental sustainability, public health, justice, and equity for both food producers and consumers (e.g., farmer and farmworker issues as well as problems with healthy food accessibility, particularly in urban areas), and farm animal welfare. Talks provide information about not only what is wrong with the system, but also how individuals and congregations in particular can take positive steps to helping improve it.
Program suitable for: any congregation
Lives in: Baltimore, MD
Location availability: Not more than a 60-minute drive from Baltimore.
Angela Smith directs the Baltimore Food & Faith Project of the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future in the Bloomberg School of Public Health. She has an M.A. in Environmental Studies from Brown University where she studied religious-environmental organizations and their efforts to promote an environmental ethic among “people in the pews”. She worked on an organic Community Supported Agriculture farm for six months, and continues to grow food in a community garden in Baltimore City. Angela is a Master Gardener and Master Composter; she has worked on an organic Community Supported Agriculture farm and continues to grow food in a community garden in Baltimore City.
Suggested honorarium: $150 (including $50 deposit to confirm date).
To schedule: program[at]gwipl[dot]org

Rev. Helen Smith
Religious Tradition: United Methodist
Program types: guest sermon, youth program, adult education, how-to workshop, holiday/liturgical program
Appropriate for: any congregation
Having pastored in local churches for over thirty years, Rev. Smith is experienced in preaching the Word, teaching classes for all ages, leading retreats, working on strategic plans and helping in the design and implementation of Green Team ministries. She has led seminars on Spirituality and Sustainable Living for clergy, laity, community groups (i.e. Boy Scouts, Retirees,etc.) and for Lenten study series.
Lives in: Sharpsburg, MD
Location availability: the entire Metro area, Western Maryland and northern Virginia.
Married to David and mother to four children, Rev. Helen Smith live in Western Maryland in a off grid home that our family designed and built in 1995. The family’s main power comes from the sun and wind and they have come to appreciate nature, weather and being mindful of their carbon footprint each day. Rev. Smith is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and has served four congregations over 34 years.
To schedule: program[at]gwipl[dot]org

Josh Tulkin
Religious Tradition: Reform Judaism
Programs offered: guest sermon, how-to workshop
Program description: Josh is passionate about engaging more of the faith community in  advocating for environmental protection and green jobs, and can speak to specific issues and  opportunities for congregations to engage. Josh has several years of experience helping congregations  go green and can offer a history and guide congregations in important first steps towards greening their communities.
Program suitable for: any congregation
Lives in: Mount Pleasant, Washington DC
Location Availability: Would prefer DC congregations, but happy to speak anywhere that is metro accessible or gives advanced planning for renting a Zipcar.
For the past six years Josh Tulkin is the Executive Director at Maryland Sierra Club. He has worked to build support in the Jewish community for environmental protection, through public policy and through personal action. Josh helped organize the first Baltimore Jewish Environmental Conference, supported [Jewish communities on college campuses] in focusing more on sustainability, and organized Jewish community support for federal green jobs policies. As Advocacy Director for the Jewish Funds for Justice, Josh advocates for federal policies which create economic opportunity for low-income communities, build the clean energy economy, and increase public access to basic financial services.
Suggested honorarium: $150 (including $50 deposit to confirm date).
To schedule: program[at]gwipl[dot]org
Has spoken at: Humanities Council of DC

Rev. Pat Watkins
Religious Tradition: United Methodist (St. Matthews Annandale)
Programs offered: guest sermon, adult education
Program description:
1 hour workshop: “The Biblical Foundation for Creation Care”
More general Powerpoint presentation: introduction to creation care and how a congregation can  implement a creation care team.
Program suitable for: any congregation
Lives in: Fairfax, Virginia
Location Availability: Anywhere; would prefer northern Virginia.
Scheduling Availability: Sundays are already booked through the end of 2010, so Sunday scheduling needs to happen far in advance; other days are always open and flexible.
Rev. Pat Watkins is ordained United Methodist clergy. He has served local churches, been a missionary in Nigeria, worked for Virginia Interfaith Power & Light, and is currently a United Methodist missionary assigned as the Executive Director of Caretakers of God’s Creation, a Virginia Conference creation care ministry. He is the one and only United Methodist missionary assigned to a creation care ministry. Rev. Watkins has taken several classes in a masters program in Environmental Studies, to complement his theological education.
Suggested honorarium: $150 (including $50 deposit to confirm date).
To schedule: program[at]gwipl[dot]org
Has spoken at: First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Lynchburg VA

Dottie Yunger
Religious Tradition: United Methodist
Programs offered: guest sermon, youth program, adult education
Program description: Offers sermons, either based on the lectionary or not, that relate to creation  care, environmental justice, stewardship, and the theological roots of these subjects, as well as  sermons on the issues that affect the Chesapeake Bay Watershed specifically. Also offers youth and adult programs about creation care, environmental justice, environmental advocacy, and aquatic  ecosystems. Programs are offered either in a house of worship or along the river itself.
Program suitable for: any congregation
Lives in: Washington, DC – Capitol Hill
Location availability: the Anacostia Watershed (DC, Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties) and with enough advance notice, locations in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Scheduling availability: any time with proper notice
Dottie Yunger is a marine biologist by training and currently the Executive Director of the Chesapeake Covenant Community, a faith-based nonprofit working on environmental stewardship issues with houses of worship in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. As a scientist, she has studied ecosystems and ecosystem modeling, as well as sea turtle conservation and education. She is a life-long United Methodist and is pursuing elders orders in the Methodist Church. She has a Masters of Divinity at Wesley Theological Seminary, as well as a Masters of Theological Studies, concentrating on themes of environmental justice in the Hebrew Bible and today. She served as the student associate for two years at a congregation on Capitol Hill, and guest preaches in the area.
Suggested honorarium: $150 (including $50 deposit to confirm date).
To schedule: program[at]gwipl[dot]org