History
Earth Day 2004 was celebrated at the Green Earth Institute in Naperville, a conservation education center and organic community-supported farm.
Faith in Place began in 1999 as a project of the Center for Neighborhood Technology. Our goal was to gather religious leaders in the Chicago region in dialogue, prayer, and action on issues of environmental sustainability.
Initially, we worked in seven locations, including low-income urban neighborhoods, diverse inner-ring communities, and affluent suburbs. Together, these communities reflected the religious, economic and racial diversity of our region.
Through theological reflection and action, members of the seven Interfaith Sustainability Circles identified environmental priorities and projects. Two common concerns emerged: concerns about the sustainability of the food supply and our use of energy in this country. In response, the circles launched a variety of projects, including:
• Creating a direct market for African-American organic farmers in Pembroke, Illinois by organizing the first organic Black Farmer’s Market on Chicago’s westside;
• Starting a well-loved urban agriculture program for kids in Logan Square;
• Helping five congregations switch to wind power at their houses of worship;
• Initiating “Voluntary Simplicity” discussion groups in prosperous suburbs;
• Building a native-planted labyrinth for meditation at a convent in LaGrange; and
• Impacting public transportation and housing policy in Evanston.
In time, our work in the seven communities evolved into a regionwide approach. As congregations throughout Illinois began requesting our help, we began to welcome participation more widely in 2004. Congregations have responded from across the entire region.
Faith in Place incorporated as an independent organization in late 2003 and moved to our own offices in late 2004.