Painting by Sara Steele ©, used with permission.
The Climate Action Team hosts this concert to raise money for Episcopal Relief & Development's US Disaster Fund. The tragedy of Paradise calls our attention to the increasing frequency of “natural” disasters associated with climate change, whether in California, Houston, Puerto Rico, or right here in Philadelphia.
Last fall the Camp Fire ravaged a large swath of California in and around the town of Paradise.The fire was the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history, covering 153,336 acres with a death toll of at least 85, in addition to the loss of over 18,000 structures and displacement of more than 50,000 people.
The fire was personally heartbreaking for St. Martin's parishioner, Rick Josiassen who grew up just outside Paradise, a town his family helped to build. Josiassen connected with St. Martin's Climate Action Team and worked with friend and pianist, Aaron Graves to recruit a group of gospel and jazz musicians to create this event infused with the overarching theme of our responsibility for creation care.
Online ticket sales are cloesd. Please purchase tickets at the door. Tickets will be $25, cash or check only.