Earth Equity News

Why Churches Bells are Ringing 350 Times. By Bronislaus B. Kush, Worcester Telegram & Gazette, November 24, 2008. "The worship service at the First Congregational Church yesterday was fairly typical for a Sunday morning. That all changed, however, when the congregants attending the 9:30 a.m. gathering pulled out small bells and clanged them 350 times in a symbolic gesture aimed at getting people to become more concerned about global warming. At the end of the service, the bell in the church's steeple was also rung 350 times. First Congregational, which is on the Town Common, is one of several Central Massachusetts churches -- of all denominations -- that have become increasingly involved in educating their members to become more conscious of the environment. At the recent annual meeting of Massachusetts United Church of Christ congregations, held in Worcester, pastors and lay leaders in particular were urged to become associated with a campaign called 350.org, which is a Web site urging world leaders to work toward reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere to 350 parts per million."