I never really knew my maternal grandmother Clara. She was deep in the fog of early onset Alzheimer’s by the time I came along, although I was given Claire as a middle name in honor of her. My mother, who would have been 95 this month, told certain stories about her mom, and one lit my imagination as a child and has remained with me. My mother’s family lived in a very small town in eastern   [Read More …]

We broke bread with our Appalachian brothers and sisters, who fed us like cherished relatives from out of town. We bore witness to their struggle and pain, and they, in turn, shared their palpable sense of relief because of it. I had two dreams the night after Mike Little, our Faith and Money Network Executive Director, asked me if I'd write an article about our recent trip of perspective   [Read More …]

The concerned citizens of the organization Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards bring passion, energy, and joy to their work as they fight to save their beloved mountain range and local biodiversity from surface mining. Our two-and-a-half day immersion in the lives of those living in small towns and hollows in southwestern Virginia bore a shocking resemblance to experiences some of us   [Read More …]

Many folks are fighting back no matter what the cost. And they will keep on going even if they think they've lost. And though they don't get much support they are becoming strong. They understand their course is right. This is where they belong. There is a place called Appalachia, painted emerald green With misty mountains, towering trees, a peaceful, prayerful   [Read More …]

My faith tells me that the true purpose of coal is to serve as Earth’s filter. This is how it was placed and what it has been doing. By destroying our environment we not only damage ourselves, we disrespect the great gifts manifested around us. "Mother Earth" is our home, our only home, and therefore deserving of our respect and indeed our veneration. Many believe that God created the   [Read More …]