Faith group plans event, fracking program

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Faith Communities Together for Frac Awareness will have a public celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at First Unitarian Universalist Church of Youngstown, 1105 Elm St.

The session marks FaCT’s more than one year of working to bring a moral and spiritual perspective to the struggle to protect Ohio’s natural environment and the health and safety of Ohioans.

FaCT is a coalition of 44 faith communities from 10 faith traditions located in 16 Ohio counties and three West Virginia counties.

The program will include an address, “Carrying on the Struggle — Protecting God’s Creation” by the Rev. Monica Beasley-Martin, African Methodist Episcopal minister and founder of Defenders of the Earth Outreach Ministries.

The Rev. Neil Pezzulo of Glenmary Home Missioners will present “Fracking — It’s not Your ‘Dirty Little Secret.’”

There will be music by the Walkn’ Bosses from Oberlin and a special ceremony and a blessing of Ohio’s waters.

A chef-prepared lunch will be served — $10, payable at the event — with reservations needed by noon Thursday.

Both vegetarian and gluten-free food will be available.

For information, email or call Susie Beiersdorfer at 330-881-1050 or slbeiersdorfer@neo.rr.com.