Los Angeles River

Interfaith Pilgrimage

Who We Are

USC Team Members

Bekah Estrada Project Leader & Eco-Chaplain

Lauren Lee Student Leader

Zoe Detweiler Student Leader

Niki Datar Videographer

Savannah Masters Videographer

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Community Partners

Office of Religious & Spiritual Life at USC

Assignment: Earth at USC

InterVarsity Christian Fellowship

Our Origin Story

What role can religion and spirituality play as we cope with a climate crisis?

What forms of self-care resonate with those experiencing eco-anxiety & climate grief?

THE IDEA

A pilgrimage is a journey to a sacred place. It’s a slow journey that makes space for discovery and allows you to observe what’s within you and around you.

An interfaith pilgrimage focused on climate change:

A contemplative journey that allows LA residents to observe the city in a new and intentional ways. This spiritual experience creates opportunity for uncomfortable emotions to emerge and space to be cared for by nature and your community.

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Pilgrimage Goals

Allow students to experiment with various spiritual practices and share feedback about their experience

Introduce students to a new area in Los Angeles: infrastructure, vegetation and wildlife, neighborhoods, vulnerable populations, etc.

Observe the city through the lens of climate change

Strengthen students’ connection to the city and its residents

Learn coping techniques and build the resilience needed for climate action

Conclude the pilgrimage pointing towards hope

How Will This Help Los Angeles?

COUNTY GOALS: #6

Accessible parks, beaches, recreational waters, public lands, and public spaces that create opportunities for respite, recreation, ecological discovery, and cultural activities

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STRATEGY 6B

Adopt inclusive programming and design for parks, beaches, public lands, and public spaces

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Experimenting with Spiritual Practices

Practice #1 - LA River video - Meditation - Altar Building

Meditation: transform eco-anxiety into the motivation to heal our shared environment.

• Allows for mindfulness practice that encourages a deeper connection with the present moment, leading us to recognize the impact of our actions on the environment.
• Helps in cultivating a sense of responsibility towards the climate, nature, and planet.
• Emphasizes empathy and compassion, extending from oneself to the planet and all its inhabitants.
• Brings us together, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose.

Altar Building: dedicate elements as symbols that represent our connection to nature.

• Encourages a sense of reverence and respect for nature, fostering a deeper appreciation for the environment.
• Increases our awareness of environmental issues and the impact of human actions on the planet.
• Discuss feelings of hope and personal experiences on why we choose the elements we picked.

Experimenting with Spiritual Practices

Practice #2: Ice-breaker + Call and Response

“Raise your hand” exercise

• Quickly understand others’ experience
• Jumping off point for conversation

“We Journey Together” Call and Response

• Create community
• Re-interpret religious tradition
• Hold space

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Experimenting with Spiritual Practices

Practice #3 - Discuss our Connection to Water - Climate Change Water Facts - Water Ritual

Group Discussion:

• What is your favorite memory or personal story with water or bodies of water?
• How does water connect you to your community?
• What changes have you seen in issues around water in the region?

Read climate change facts about water scarcity, flooding, and water-related hazards

Water Ritual

• Scoop a handful of water and let it trickle between your fingers
• “My tears are for…”
• Spoke blessings or words of hope as we watered the plants around us

Why the Los Angeles River?

The LA River is one of the nation’s largest infrastructure projects, yet it remains largely unknown by residents

The river is currently being reimagined for a better future– we could reimagine a better world while along its banks

What We Did - Insert LA River Map - Zoe

Which spiritual practices did we choose and why did we choose them?

Our Decision-Making Process

• Allows for direct observation of the LA river, reflecting and connecting with nature
• Building connection with like-minded fellows who care about climate change
• Sharing real stories, personal experiences and journey
• Reflecting on how climate change can shift weather patterns, ecosystems, and environmental losses that will ultimately impact human’s life such as the economy, agriculture, diseases, and overall well-being.
• Highlighting climate change that is happening now– climate action is happening
• Thinking of actions that can be done– be it through mindfulness practices, raising awareness, and/or impacting education

Student Feedback

“{The Pilgrimage] was really unique and I don't think I'd ever really experienced something like it before. It felt very intentional. It was refreshing to see how everyone’s different journeys and reflections came together”

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“I think a lot about climate change and the impending sense of doom that seems to be clouding our future. I was interested to hear the experiences from a diverse group of people all experiencing [climate change] in different ways, and explore the role of a spiritual pilgrimage in processing it.”

What’s Next?

New Audiences

• Youth Commissioners at the LA County
• Variety of Faith Congregations
• High School Field-Trips

New Locations

• Create a pilgrimage for each district or prominent areas in Los Angeles
• How to have a climate change pilgrimage in your own neighborhood

New Format

• Pamphlet
• Podcast

Thanks

Pando Days

Do you have any questions?

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