February 21, 2011  Annual Fund Raising Drive Begins Midwest Institute for                Environmental SpiritualityP.O. Box 139McNabb, IL. 61335    February 22, 2011Dear Friends of MIES,      We are beginning our annual fund raising campaign early this year because we have an exciting challenge for you. Every dollar we raised between now and April 1, (up to $500.00) will be matched by two generous supporters of the Institute. Thus, every dollar you give is worth $2.00 to us.The money we raise through our annual campaign not only helps pay for basic operating expenses such as insurance, printing, postage, etc.; it also provides money for programs like our battery recycling project. In the past 18 months we have collected almost 100 pounds of batteries and shipped them off for recycling. Each box we fill and ship costs $35.00.Your contributions also make it possible for us to have a traveling display with handouts which we can take to churches and diocesan conventions. We are planning two environmental spirituality retreats this year, one in the spring and one in the fall. (A descriptive brochure is included with this letter.) I will also be leading a Lenten study series on Christianity and the Environment at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Kewanee.We ask you to give generously to support the activities of the Institute. And remember,YOUR DONATION WILL BE MATCHED.             Sincerely,               The Rev. John Crist,            President   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Midwest Institute for Environmental Spirituality 2011  ____Yes, I will support the Institute. Enclosed is my contribution in the amount of____20.00       ____40.00       ____60.00       ____Other amount. ____I will join the Century Club. Enclosed is my gift of $100.00  Name__________________________________________________ Address________________________________________________ City, State, Zip___________________________________________Return to MIES, P.O. Box 139, McNabb, IL. 61335

An Environmental Meditation for Ash Wednesday  The Liturgy for Ash Wednesday, in the Book of Common Prayer, contains a “Litany of Penitence.” In that Litany we find the following words: “For our waste and pollution of your creation, and our lack of concern for those who come after us, accept our repentance, Lord.” These words are intended to raise our awareness of the fact that there is such a thing as “environmental sin.” When we waste the bounty of God’s creation, or when we pollute the air, the soil or the water, we are committing a sin against God and our neighbors.           The heart of sin is self-centeredness, and this includes a self-centered attitude toward the environment. The second part of the Great Commandment is“you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” If I want clean, uncontaminated water for myself and my family, then I am called to want that for my neighbor; and that means not polluting our water supply. If I want to be able to breathe clean, fresh air, then I should want that for my neighbor; and that precludes filling that air with any contaminates. If I want food that does not contain harmful chemicals for myself and my family, that should be what I want for my neighbor also. To be totally self-absorbed toward the environment is indeed a sin against God and our neighbors             Furthermore, if I want adequate food, water and natural resources for myself and my family, I should also want these things not only for my neighbors today, but I should also want them for future generations. To use up the bounty of God creation now for ourselves, is to ignore the needs of others and of those who will come after us.