Happy Birthday to Marty, my step-mum, whose birthday is today!!
We are currently in SFO as our United flight to Chicago is delayed 3 hours. I am happy to report WiFi access is free and that the airport has a Sustainability page and an Environmental Action Plan. http://www.flysfo.com/web/page/about/green/index.html
There is also a destination green store here, selling “Green” products…
This city is ahead of the curve in many things, and the county I have just come from (Sanoma County, CA), is one of the “Green County’s”, meaning it is green environmentally, but also has a majority Green Party in Government… this blog is quite excellent for San Francisco greening issues http://greendestinations.blogspot.com/2008/09/eco-thusiasm-eco411-what-heck-is-up-in.html
As I have said previously, the last few days have meant much in the way of “green” involvement. I have seen community/church gardens, programs and theology; I have seen green stores and shops, solar panel installations and green “hippies”; together Julia and I went and visited the Armstrong Redwoods http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=450
Sonoma County is so beautiful and diverse, encompassing wine country, fruit orchards, running from the beautiful Pacific Coast to the rugged Sierra Nevada Mountains. The Episcopal Church has a presence here, but it is struggling with similar issues as back home, with ageing congregations and (often) small numbers. There is much to be done, but many faithful and committed people in the congregations. Similar to our diocese, cluster ministry (combined parishes) are common, raising its own challenges. The county as a whole faces it own challenges of course, with the economic downturn here meaning cuts to services such as education and even law-enforcement… some parts do not even have police officers on-call 24 hours…
More to come… Chris and Julia from San Francisco International Airport. xo
Vegan Priest, Christopher Golding 