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Contact: bnelsen@waterspirit.org June 10, 2023

Searing Orange Skies Clear for Waterspirit’s 25 Year Anniversary

Audience gathered to honor esteemed founders of religion & ecology

Rumson, New Jersey- The intense orange sky and poor air quality-while gone for the day- underscored the importance of Waterspirit’s Joys of the Sea Gala on Saturday June 10th, which brought together 55 attendees immersed in the Oak Grove next to the First Presbyterian Church of Rumson. Attendees gathered to honor the 25 years of nonprofit programming and advocacy centered upon water, the source and sustainer of all life. The event marks the retirement of the founders of the field of religion and ecology, demonstrating how their vision is being expressed by turning love into action.

During the event, Waterspirit’s Executive Director, Blair Nelsen remarked on the extraordinary impact of Waterspirit’s Spirit of Water award honorees, Drs. Mary Evelyn Tucker & John Grim, upon their retirement. “The Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology is a precious resource and node of connection. The committee was delighted to present them with this award as they transition away from classroom teaching and into new projects and adventures. Professors Tucker and Grim were the first people to introduce me to Pope Francis’ environmental encyclical letter, Laudato Si’. As a graduate student, I had the privilege of being inspired by their perception of a new ecological age dawning amongst the world’s religions. Now, at Waterspirit, I am able to use their teachings to help guide people of all beliefs toward water-honoring consciousness. It is truly an honor to present the Suzanne Golas Spirit of Water Award to them today, in recognition of the decades of trailblazing research and compassionate mentoring they have achieved,” said Blair Nelsen, Executive Director, Waterspirit.

During the event, attendees bid on donated auction items and recorded messages to Waterspirit’s growing network of faith and ecology enthusiasts, including founder, Suzanne Golas, CSJP. “Among many other reasons, I’m celebrating Waterspirit because it is one of only a tiny handful of spiritually-based environmental groups that is both inclusive of all faiths and rooted in reality.” said Hugh Carola, Waterspirit board member and longtime Program Director at Hackensack Riverkeeper. He continued, “And Waterspirit’s reality includes embracing the beauty and wonder of nature as well as squaring one’s shoulders to take on the myriad threats to that very same nature."

Mindy McDonald, CSJP, expressed her heartfelt gratitude, “Our Congregation of Sisters was founded in 1884 to be peacemakers, and our interpretation of peacemaking continues to expand. Thanks to the faithful work of scholars like John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker, today we understand that the non-domination we are called to in seeking peace refers not just to other human beings, but to the entire life of the planet. This revolutionary idea is affirmed by Pope Francis in his encyclical Laudato Si’. We are honored and grateful to have Mary Evelyn and John with us for Joys of the Sea!”

Waterspirit Board Chairperson, Kate Chambers, talked of the global impact Waterspirit has had and continues to have over the past 25 years. “Somehow we are all gathered today – linked to each other – through the connections and visionary work that Suzanne began 25 years ago. She emphasized that water connects us all – all over the globe. The lists of places she went seemed endless – the number of people she touched kept multiplying.”

An acknowledgement was read from Waterspirit’s Founder, Suzanne Golas: “Congratulations to Blair and to all who have supported Waterspirit’s mission of ecology and spirituality for the past twenty-five years and continue to do so. Waterspirit calls us to an awareness of who we are, and reminds us of who we are to be. The CSJPs have tried to communicate the beauty of creation. But without water, there is no life-no creation. When we recognize water as a gift to be valued, our lives are sustained, deepened and ennobled. We CSJPs, and I personally, didn’t recognize that value of water until I grew in my value of peace and justice.”

Blair Nelsen concluded, “For the past 25 years, Waterspirit has helped people of all beliefs deepen their awareness of the sacredness of water and the interconnectedness of all Earth’s systems. Living in awareness of our interconnectedness is what helps us renew our commitment to protect water and to realize that no one has to do this work alone. We enter into ecological consciousness, and then we have the strength to face whatever challenges come our way. With the looming climate crisis and ongoing environmental injustices, this work is more urgent than ever. Joys of the Sea is a chance to celebrate our wins over the past quarter century, to refresh and renew our community so that we are prepared for the next 25 years and beyond.”

Thank you, again, to our Joys of the Sea sponsors: Peace Ministries, Progress Capital, Middletown Pediatric Dental, Ann Marie and Bob Reardon, Kate and Bob Chambers, Sue Smith and an anonymous donor. Waterspirit’s calendar is full of upcoming events and programs. The Waterspirit Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers are appreciative to all for attending!