You and members of your congregation are invited to attend a five-week program of study and reflection on the issue of ocean changes and fishing as the nexus of environmental and economic justice. The program, developed by the Maine Council of Churches, will feature films and speakers, background readings, and opportunities for personal and spiritual reflection and action. The study will conclude with a community chowder supper on Sunday, November 21. Please join us for the entire program or for any one session that is of particular interest.
You and members of your congregation are invited to attend a five-week program of study and reflection on the issue of ocean changes and fishing as the nexus of environmental and economic justice. The program, developed by the Maine Council of Churches, will feature films and speakers, background readings, and opportunities for personal and spiritual reflection and action. The study will conclude with a community chowder supper on Sunday, November 21. Please join us for the entire program or for any one session that is of particular interest.
o Oct. 20th/Oct. 24th– The Peace Center will present two screenings of the critically acclaimed film A Sea Change. The film captures the journey of retired history teacher Sven Huseby, who travels around the world to speak with marine biologists, oceanographers, fishermen, artists, and climatologists about the impacts of a changing ocean chemistry on the fish that more than one billion people rely on for sustenance, and how this threat to the marine food web may affect his young grandson’s future. Participants will leave with reflection questions and optional reading.
o Oct. 27th–Bigelow Lab Senior Research Scientist Dr. Barney Balch will lead a discussion about ocean acidification after screening the 20-minute Natural Resources Defense Council film Acid Test: The Global Challenge of Ocean Acidification. Besides his work on ocean acidification, Dr. Balch’s research includes biocalcification, bio-optics, ocean color algorithms for satellite remote sensing, and algal viruses. There will be an opportunity for small group discussion and reflection as well. Optional reading for Session 3 will be distributed.
o Nov. 3rd – The program will begin with Fishing Voices: Insight into the Future, a short film presentation produced by the Penobscot East Resource Center (PERC) The film focuses on Downeast fishermen, their families and their communities, and examines local fishing practices both past and future as Maine fishermen work with scientists and marine regulators to implement community-based fishing management for sustainable fisheries. Staff from the Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance will present a short overview of Maine fish stock and management issues and lead a Q & A session.
o Nov. 10th – Members of First Universalist Church in Rockland that has formed a covenantal relationship with a local farm family and the Port Clyde fishing community as part of its local foods ministry, and local fishermen will share their experience in creating Maine’s first community-supported fishery (CSF). We will explore interest and opportunities for CSFs or other direct marketing to consumers in the greater Damariscotta area.
o Nov. 21st – Community Chowder Supper will follow a presentation, By Land and By Sea, that examines a growing movement linking farmers and fishermen around their common challenges as communities endeavor to build local foods systems and food security. Amanda Beal and Ellen Tyler, Tufts graduate students and local foods advocates, will share the outcome of this project in Maine. The supper will include seafood and sea vegetable chowders, breads and desserts, created from local foods. Donations will be gratefully accepted.
For more information please contact study facilitator Andy Burt at 882-6848.