Faith in Place
Founded in 1999 by Rev. Dr. Clare Butterfield, Faith in Place has worked to provide religious congregations around Chicagoland the tools they need to be better stewards of the Earth. Clare is a member of UTUUC, served on the staff, and, for the past 12 years, has served as community minister at Unity Temple. As our community minister, we covenant with her and support her work in our community.
Faith In Place Mission Statement
"There are two great responsibilities common to all faiths: to love one another and to care for the creation that sustains all life. Faith In Place gives religious people tools to reflect deeply on these responsibilities, integrate the teachings of faith into practice, and work together for a just and sustainable future.
Since 1999, Faith in Place has partnered with over 600 congregations in Illinois—Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Zoroastrian, Baha’i and Unitarian. We're also part of the national Interfaith Power & Light campaign.
Our mission is to help people of faith understand that issues of ecology and economy—of care for Creation—are at the forefront of social justice. At Faith in Place we believe in housing the homeless, feeding the hungry and clothing the naked. But even if we do all those things, and love our brothers and sisters with our whole heart, it will not matter if we neglect the ecological conditions of our beautiful and fragile planet.
As temperatures rise and fossil fuel supplies fall, the burden of climate change and scarcity will land primarily on the poor, and eventually will come home to us all. We must practice love and justice in the way we use the ecological commons of air, water and soil. We must be willing to make sacrifices for a sustainable economy.
The way we relate to the smallest species, to the tiniest stream and to the least powerful of our human brothers and sisters will define our relationship with our world and the One who placed us here. These are serious matters of faith. It will take many willing and open hearts to develop a daily sustainable practice. We welcome your congregation to join us"
For more information on Faith in Place, visit their website.
