Community Organizing for Climate Justice as Faith Active in Love
“God has shown you what is good. What does God seek from you?
To do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
Micah 6:8
What is the Shalom Project?
Two Tacoma congregations – St. Mark’s Lutheran by the Narrows, and Peace Lutheran in the Hilltop – have teamed up together, to listen to our neighbors and to work together for justice and compassion. “Shalom” is the Hebrew word, not simply for “peace” but for a shared wholeness in all facets of life. Together we seek concrete ways to work for economic, social, and racial wholeness, with a special focus on climate justice.
Current Projects
Solar Power for DADU* Build
Peace Lutheran currently owns three homes near the church, which they make available for Hilltop neighbors in danger of being priced out of the neighborhood. Peace has received major grants to enable construction of another small, 754 sq. ft. home behind one of those existing homes. St. Mark’s will help with some late-stage sweat equity, and has committed to outfitting this house with solar energy. Plans are also in the works for future builds. Read More...
*DADU is an acronym for Detached Additional Dwelling Unit
Trees for the Hilltop
A healthy tree cover is crucial for our climate wellbeing. Tacoma runs below the national average for tree cover, and the Tacoma map vividly shows how our neighborhoods’ differences in tree coverage align with economic, social, and racial disparity. Peace and St. Mark’s are partnering with the Tacoma Tree Foundation for a major tree-planting endeavor for the Hilltop neighborhood. Read More...