Sow Justice

Wow did I make a mistake when I read the two word phrase above. Today I downloaded and printed out the National Council of Churches resource for Earth Sunday 2007. These materials, focusing on farming, may be used on Sunday, April 22, actually Earth Day this year, or they may be used at another time in congregations. One that makes extra sense for this theme is the old Rogation Sunday, the Sunday before Ascension Day, this year May 13.
[Here's the feature I wrote last year for Rogationtide: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_74793_ENG_HTM.htm ]

Oh, back to my mistake: When I read the "Sow Justice" heading in the materials, I assumed it was going to be about factory farming. Remember those opening scenes in Babe? Where the little guy is separated from his mother? Or perhaps you have seen the animation "The Meatrix"? (Which reminds me to add the link to it - a great educational site, and a resource for finding sustainably produced meat and other animal products in your area.)

Turns out that first word is meant to rhyme with mow, not how. Oh dear! Had I read the biblical quotations on the first page of the packet, or remembered Hosea 10:12, I would have gotten it immediately.

The "Sow Justice" message is about equity for smaller scale farmers, supports for sustainable farming, and insuring access to fresh, locally grown food for all Americans. It is featured on a postcard, either reproducible from the program materials, or available from the NCCC Eco-justice unit for free. The idea is to get folks to sign these postcards, then send them back to the Eco-justice office for delivery to your elected representatives. What a great idea in this year when the farm bill comes up for renewal, and, we hope, reform.

As in past years, the packet contains materials to use or adapt for worship including a bulletin insert, thoughtful short essays, and suggestions of things to do. I have to say it saddened me to see that one of the activities suggested for youth was to "make a meal together". It seems like the most natural thing in the world, something anyone would think of with a farming theme. I mean, wouldn't you say - oh let's take the kids to the farmers' market and then cook together. But somebody had to suggest it, and perhaps should have said even more strongly, if we're studying farm issues, don't order out for pizza this time.

Use the NCCC Eco-justice link to the right to navigate to the "Our Daily Bread: Harvesters of Hope and Gardeners of Eden" materials, and check it out.

More on the Farm Bill coming soon.