I AM: The film Screening on Earth Day. April 22nd.

Another wonderful Earth Day event!  In partnership with Hamilton Pubic Library, KAIROS,  A Tiny Shift, Environment Hamilton, IDEA Burlington and Hamilton 350, GSS screened the movie I AM (A life altering documentary). 

In the film, our guide Tom Shadyac (Director of Ace Ventura, The Nutty Professor, Pet Detective) confronts the most serious crisis humanity faces and reveals transformative solutions. Asking the questions "What's wrong with the world?" and "What can we do to fix it?", Shadyac interviewed scholars, scientists, authors, activists,and spiritual teachers who disclose truths about ourselves that prove that prove that we have the power to change and transform our lives and the world around us.

The film was followed by a presentation by Don Mclean of Hamilton 350 on the pipeline 9 reversal situation and the ecological upheaval and destruction it will cause if allowed to pass through Hamilton and other communities. Attendees were invited to take action.

Missa Gaia Choir, April 21st: A treat!

It was really enjoyable to celebrate Earth day with the Missa Gaia choir.
Westdale United Church and Greening Sacred Spaces hosted the singers to a church full of music and Earth lovers.
Thanks to Grant Linney for bringing the massive Earth Ball to the event. It was a beautiful visual representation of our dear home planet; a reminder that there really are no borders and that what is needed is a shift in the way we think and relate to each other and the non human life on Mother Earth.

Living with Toxins talk: April 19th. Youth make their own make-up: April 15th.

What an eye opening talk last Friday 19th at St. James Anglican church in Dundas!  Eco Churches of West Hamilton (Eco-WHAM) and Greening Sacred Spaces Hamilton brought in Maggie MacDonald from Environmental Defense to speak about the toxic content of most cosmetics.



Maggie is a fantastic speaker: clear, engaging and entertaining. Let me tell you; I went home and dumped out all my moisturizer and makeup (not hard to do since I don't have much).
From now on, it's go toxic free or nothing. It's expensive to buy natural care products and that is why I was excited that the youth group at Hughson St. Baptist church got to make their own make up-coached by the talented and skilled Amina Suhrwardy. Here's what Melissa, the youth leader has to say about the workshop that took place on April 15th:

I run a program in the North End of Hamilton that provides mentorship for high school aged girls.  Last week we had Amina come in to teach the 20 girls how to make their own all-natural make-up and makeup remover.  It was an awesome opportunity to show the girls how to take care of their skin with the products that they use.  Amina kept the group interested, and all of the hands-on activities and opportunities to experiment with colors and elements like zinc and clay was so much fun!  It was definitely a treat to participate in the fun!

More Nourishing Hamilton Fair April 14th, 2013: What they said.

Vendors had the following comments to say:

"I got to talk to quite a few interesting people (both vendors and attendees) and I think I may have recruited a few new members for my produce co-op (one has already emailed me to join), so quite a productive afternoon."

 "We had a great time and did some good networking and also meeting folks we already know. Nice that it rotates through the churches." 

"Thank you.  I found it worthwhile and enjoyed speaking with others.It was well run. Persons and families enjoyed the displays. Many handouts disappeared and there were non-stop questions. A very good thing. I would participate again and if you need a facility in the Hamilton  east end, Faith Lutheran church could be an option."

 "I'm wondering if the faith group members of Greening Sacred Spaces would consider having their youth groups as the presenters. By all means we "seniors" would educate/coach/mentor the young people to help them prepare for the event. I think it would also be helpful to attract younger people by having some form of live music. Perhaps a number of younger kids with the chance to sing or play their instrument would bring in their parents?
Another thought could be timing your event with the actual construction of a garden on the property of one of the members of Greening Sacred Spaces. I think it might be more attractive to people if they could see "hands on" what the people in the booths are talking about."
"Thank you for inviting us. We had several great conversations with people who share a similar passion with us to nourish people in a healthy way and make use of what is produced in our communities."

"Thank you for hosting Sprout Camp at the Nourishing Hamilton Fair; it was also great. It was a interactive, enjoyable afternoon. It would be nice to do the workshop again sometime." 

Nourishing Hamilton Fair: April 14th, 2013

Greening Sacred Spaces' 'Nourishing Hamilton Fair: Food, Faith and Justice' has become a yearly tradition in Hamilton. In it's third year, individuals, groups and organizations come together under one roof and offer the larger community an opportunity to learn about local food security initiatives that are working to ensure a stronger food system for our community. 

We were thrilled to feature community and school gardens including Westdale Secondary School's community garden and the Hamilton Victory Gardens. Other groups present included The Mustard Seed Co-operative, West Hamilton Food Co-operative, Ontario Christian Gleaners, Seeds of Diversity and more. Attendees learned about City of Hamilton's food security action and the developing of a Food Charter for our city.  They had the opportunity to ask questions about composting and green binning. 

Youngsters got their hands dirty at Camp Sprout's container gardening demonstration. 

A youth group from St. Marks Orthodox Church organized a 'scavenger hunt' where the youth went around the two rooms and answered pre-written questions concerning the various booths.  

This year, the event was hosted at Southgate Presbyterian Church. 

Nourishing Hamilton Fair

This Earth Day: I AM

This EARTH DAY: What if the solution to the world's problems was right in front of us all along?
I AM  (A life altering documentary).
The shift is about to hit the fan.

As our guide, Tom Shadyac (Director of Ace Ventura, The Nutty Professor, Pet Detective) confronts the most serious crisis humanity faces and reveals transformative solutions. Asking the questions "What's wrong with the world?" and "What can we do to fix it?", Shadyac interviews scholars, scientists, authors, activists,and spiritual teachers who disclose truths about ourselves  that prove that we have the power to change and transform our lives and the world around us.

Please join us for the movie screening

Monday, April 22 at 6.30pm. Movie starts at 7pm. Event goes to 9pm.
Hamilton Public Central Library -Hamilton Room. 55 York Blvd. Hamilton.
Light refreshments will be provided.
Sponsors:  KAIROS, Greening Sacred Spaces, Hamilton Pubic Library, A Tiny Shift, Environment Hamilton , IDEA Burlington, Hamilton 350

Sponsors: KAIROS, IDEA Burlington, Greening Sacred Spaces, Hamilton 350, Environment Hamilton, Halton Environmental Network.

GSS at Sacred Heart of Jesus R.C. School

April 02-We had a great time chatting with exuberant children about food security and why it is important for Hamilton to have a food charter that promotes a just food system for all. Thanks to Religion Studies, McMaster student, Natalie for helping us out today!

Carrots tell it like it is!

We invited the youth from New Hope Community Bikes to be part of the fair as well as Revwear and they certainly brought excitement to the table. As in attendance with the Organic Waste Leaders from the City of Hamilton and Green Venture and smart commute. The principle from St. Augustine came out and shared about the work her school has done  depave parts of the school grounds!

Sustainapalooza!

April 01- And the race begins with countless events to attend in the busy month of April!
We kicked of outreach by attending the Sustainapalooza eco-fest at Mohawk College where we connected with many, many students interested in Greening Sacred Spaces and planning to come out to the Nourishing Hamilton Fair (yay!).

Thanks to our volunteer Juby for helping at this event!