During a week of record-breaking July temperatures, flooding and wildfires, Third Actors from a half dozen states gathered to spread the gospel of climate action at the Wild Goose Festival in rural North Carolina. Third Act was one of the sponsors of the annual celebration of spirit, justice, art and music, hosting a popular outreach table amidst 1,600 festival attendees. Over the weekend, nearly 500 people attended sessions to hear Third Act’s founder Bill McKibben speak. 

A highlight was an all-day Climate Justice Camp, where acclaimed Christian author and speaker Brian McLaren joined Bill in wide-ranging conversations about environmental justice, what it means to be an activist, where they find hope in these perilous times, and how their faith informs their activism. Michigan Third Actor and eco-theology author Debra Rienstra spoke about justice for non-human species and how people of faith can move from passivity to true citizenship. In a heartbreaking presentation, guest speaker Belinda Joyner shared her experiences living in what she calls “a dumping ground” and an “environmental sacrifice zone” in North Carolina. 

Members of Third Act who participated in the Climate Justice Camp are (pictured l-r) B Fulkerson, Debra Rienstra, Liz Bell, Bill McKibben, Jeff Bell, Webb Mealy, Melanie Griffin, Dan Terpstra, Peggy Terpstra and Jerry Cappel.
Members of Third Act who participated in the Climate Justice Camp are (pictured l-r) B Fulkerson, Debra Rienstra, Liz Bell, Bill McKibben, Jeff Bell, Webb Mealy, Melanie Griffin, Dan Terpstra, Peggy Terpstra and Jerry Cappel.

After leading an organizing workshop, Third Act’s Field Director B Fulkerson switched hats and led a healing yoga session for the 60 attendees. Network Campaigns Lead Melanie Griffin moderated the camp experience, interspersing contemplative practices and rituals designed to help people integrate and accept their emotional responses to the climate crisis.

Before we left the campground, the festival producers invited us back to the main stage in 2024, and our group was already discussing how we might step it up and engage more people next year.

But if you wanted to get involved with Third Act Faith’s work, they are inviting people to their general meeting to help “Bridge the Divide”. On November 7th at 8pm ET, Third Actors will have a chance to hear from Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, the chief scientist for The Nature Conservancy and a world renowned atmospheric scientist who has been the lead author of three National Climate Assessments. Dr. Hayhoe is also a best-selling author and a popular speaker, known for her ability to reach across the political divide and make climate science easily accessible to everyone. RSVP below to attend

Bridging the Divide With Dr. Katharine Hayhoe

Third Act’s Faith Affinity Group extends an invitation for all of us to join Dr. Hayhoe to discuss how we might reach across cultural divides and have values-based conversations about climate change.

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Melanie Griffin

Melanie Griffin is a writer and social justice activist who spent nearly thirty years lobbying for the Sierra Club in Washington, D.C. Her major campaigns included public lands and wildlife and air and energy policy. She was the founder and director of the Club’s first National Partnerships Program. Melanie holds a Masters in Creative Nonfiction and is a certified Spiritual Director. She served for three years as a pastor at a progressive Christian church in suburban Maryland and taught at a Quaker school. She leads writing workshops and contemplative retreats and loves to garden, read, and travel.

Ways to get involved

All the different ways you can get involved with Third Act: