LOVE THE WATER
Steps to build Community (and Congregation) around Water
Where is your water? Find your watershed
Watersheds
U.S. Geological Survey, "Science in Your Watershed": https://water.usgs.gov/wsc/
Fernleap Map http://watersheds.fernleafinteractive.com/
Topographical Map/ Watershed reading for Students:
https://www.potomacriver.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/ScoreFour-TopographyStudent.pdf
Learn your Water History
Has there been a history of positive life affirming activity in your water ways including crafts, creativity, trade and settlements? Are your lakes man-made or natural? Where are the Sites Sacred to the Indigenous Peoples’ of the land?
Walk the Path of your Water
Walking Water - Pilgrimage of your own Water Resources. This can begin as simple as taking a trip to a local lake, pond, ocean beach, stream, spring or well. Bring offerings, prayers, water songs or just your heart-felt intentions to make a new relationship with the Water.
This can grow into a full Pilgrimage of walking the water from source to tap. You may seek out guides, possibly local indigenous guides, to assist you in getting the best understanding of your watershed. Allow this to be a time to foster commitment to protecting these water resources for your family, your community and for the generations to come.
The Women Who Walk for the Water: Grandmother Josephine’s Legacy
Water Walks - US, Mid-West based
Walking Water - US, CA based
Water is Life Walk - US, East Coast based
Drinkable Rivers - Global Walks
Suil an Craic - The Well Walkers of Ireland
What's in Your Water?
Testing your water. Including identifying areas along the Path of your Water that may be polluted or contaminated in some way. Is there a history of dumping industrial pollutants in that same water or nearby land?
CREEJ Founder and Author of Waste, Catherine Coleman Flowers recommends contacting the Environmental Science or Biology dept. at your local college or university.
** New! Learn about the laws that help us to protect our water. You can learn the history of the Clean Water Act, how we enforce it and how vulnerable it could be to change. Could we lose the Clean Water Act?
Learn more at: Environmental Law: The History of the Clean Water Act
Water Liturgies
Introducing water as a topic in your faith based and community activities. Study the use of water in ritual, understanding the sacredness of water in your tradition and familiarizing yourself with the traditions of others. If appropriate, host a Laudato Si' study group. Create opportunities to share how We are all made out of Water. Water is Life. Understanding that protecting access to clean water is a sacred human right and an issue that concerns us all.
Water Liturgies: The Center for Earth Ethics
Making Water a thing of Beauty and Reference for All
Benefits to Water Features in Urban Landscapes & Gardens
Community Clean Up projects - Riverkeeper Annual Sweep
Everything Water: Clean Ups, Advocacy and Spirituality - Something for everyone at Waterspirit
Being a Water Protector
Being a Water Protector can take many forms: ceremony, community clean up projects, organizing water walks, working with others to protect your water from legislation that allows polluters to poison the water. It centers around sharing with others the importance of water, that all life is sacred, and that Water is Life. If you are looking for other ways to take action, here are three: R.O.A.R., Riverkeeper ( a member of the Waterkeeper Alliance) and Civil Disobedience Training - On the Frontlines of Water Protection - taking the next step.
Water and Art
Curating art exhibits, concerts, and other performances with the theme of water such as Passionate Waters. Make public murals to bring more awareness to water issues.
Participate in Global Water Dances with groups in 120 countries around the world.
Women and Water
Keep your own daily practices or walks with water. Participate in events and groups with others: Women's Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual (WATER) & the Women and Water Coming Together Symposium. Share this knowledge of and appreciation of water with others.
Other Ways to Celebrate Water and International Days for Collective Water Education
International Day of Rivers, March 14
National Day of Holy Wells, June 14