As the new Trump administration takes office in January 2025, there are questions about the future of environmental sustainability in the United States. Given the administration’s past positions and policies during its previous tenure, there is concern that progress made on combating climate change, reducing pollution, air and water quality and advancing renewable energy could face significant challenges.

During his previous term, former President Trump prioritized deregulation, rolling back numerous environmental protections established under prior administrations. These included withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, reducing the scope of the Clean Water Act, and loosening restrictions on fossil fuel industries. Such actions emphasized economic growth and energy independence but often came at the expense of sustainability efforts.

Environmentalists are concerned that similar priorities could reemerge, potentially reversing gains in renewable energy, biodiversity conservation, and emission reductions. Key areas of potential change include:

1. Climate Change Policy: The Biden administration rejoined the Paris Agreement, setting ambitious emission reduction goals, and incentivizing clean energy. A return to a fossil-fuel-centric agenda could slow these efforts, potentially jeopardizing the U.S.’s global leadership on climate action.

2. Clean Energy Investments: Federal support for solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources has driven innovation and job growth. Reduced funding or policy shifts favoring oil, coal, and natural gas could stall progress in transitioning to a cleaner energy grid.

3. Environmental Regulations: Rollbacks on emissions standards, protected lands, and water quality rules may favor industries like mining and logging but could lead to increased deforestation, pollution, and habitat loss.

4. International Leadership: The U.S.’s role in global climate negotiations could shift. A reduced focus on international cooperation might embolden other nations to ease their own commitments, undermining collective progress toward sustainability.

Air Quality Concerns

During Trump’s previous tenure, the administration rolled back numerous regulations aimed at reducing air pollution. Key policies, such as weakening the Clean Power Plan and relaxing emissions standards for vehicles and industrial facilities, led to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants. If similar policies are reinstated, we may see:

1. Increased Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Loosening restrictions on coal-fired power plants and oil production could reverse progress made in reducing carbon dioxide and methane emissions, exacerbating climate change.

2. Rising Levels of Particulate Matter: Deregulation in industrial emissions may result in higher concentrations of fine particles, which can cause respiratory and cardiovascular issues.

3. Public Health Risks: Poor air quality disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and low-income communities, increasing rates of asthma, lung disease, and other health problems.

Water Quality Concerns

Water protections may also face challenges. The Trump administration previously scaled back the scope of the Clean Water Act, reducing protections for wetlands and smaller streams. These changes risked contamination of drinking water sources and harm to ecosystems. Potential outcomes include:

1. Pollution in Waterways: Weakening oversight of industrial discharge and agricultural runoff could increase pollutants like nitrates, heavy metals, and toxic chemicals in rivers and lakes.

2. Degraded Wetlands: Reduced protections for wetlands could lead to habitat loss and diminished natural water filtration, impacting wildlife and increasing the risk of flooding.

3. Threats to Safe Drinking Water: Lax enforcement of water quality standards might jeopardize access to clean drinking water, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

Balancing Economic and Environmental Goals

The Trump administration’s focus on deregulation often prioritizes economic growth over environmental safeguards. While this may benefit certain industries in the short term, the long-term costs of degraded air and water quality—ranging from health care expenses to ecosystem damage—are substantial.

The Role of Communities

Even as federal policies shift, it’s worth noting that public support for environmental action has grown significantly in recent years. Businesses, state governments, advocacy groups and communities continue to drive sustainability initiatives. Many corporations have adopted ambitious net-zero goals, while states like California and New York have already enacted stricter environmental standards, advancing renewable energy and emissions reductions. Grassroots organizations continue to monitor and push back against harmful policies.

As individuals, we can counterbalance potential setbacks by doubling down on personal and community efforts: supporting local sustainability initiatives, advocating for policies that protect creation, and reducing our own environmental footprint. While federal policies may influence the pace of national progress, grassroots action can keep the momentum alive.

Let’s remain vigilant and committed in 2025, ensuring that the strides made in caring for creation aren’t lost. Let us work together and stay informed. We can still continue to make a difference, even in challenging times.

Denise Stadler

Creation Care Team

“We who are many are one body in Christ, and individually we are members, one of another.”

Romans 12:5.

Coming together as a congregation, we have been able to give a much-needed gift this Advent/Christmas through the national ELCA’s World Hunger program. Our gift will make a difference for the environment and the people who depend on it, this time in places far from MidCoast Maine. We will likely never meet those we have helped, but through eyes of faith we see them as “members” with us, and the places where they live and grow food are part of the Creation we all share.

As of December 22, our support for climate resilience kits and environmentally friendly cookstoves totaled an impressive $1398.00, and $1218.00 of that amount is eligible to be matched through the World Hunger program! A climate kit contains a fruit tree farm, seeds and tools, farmers’ field school, community garden, honeybees, 3 cookstoves and an irrigation project. The cookstoves protect both the environment and the health of families. With the matching funds, our total gift amounts to 2 of these kits and approximately 8 additional cookstoves!

As members of the Creation Care Team, we weren’t sure what kind of response there might be to our Good Gifts invitation this Advent season, but the generous support toward this collective gift from Nativity has been truly inspiring! So on behalf of the team, I say well done and way to go, Congregation, and our heartfelt thanks to you all!!

Elaine Isakson for the Creation Care Team

You are welcome to join Pastor Anderson on Tuesdays,

9:30 - 11:00 AM, for casual and spontaneous conversation.

Come and go at whatever time works for you.

Jan 7 - Atlantic Baking Company, Main St. Rockland
Jan 14 - Bagel Café, 30 Main St, Camden
Jan 21 - Main Street Markets, 435 Main St., Rockland
Jan 28 - FlipSide Coffee, 189 Main St, Thomaston

...to Mary Ann Hawkins for organizing the Christmas Mitten Tree project and to everyone who contributed to the Mitten Tree. Many children from local schools benefitted from this generous community gift. Pictured here - Students from the Warren Elementary School.

On December 22nd, we welcomed Jordan and Aiden Edwards to the family of God through the Sacrament of Baptism. Jordan and Aiden are the sons of Lauren Cramp and grandsons of Shelly and Jeff Cramp. Their sponsors are Aaron Cramp and Jennifer Cramp.

Editor's note: Did we miss your birthday? Please email your birthday date to kmusicorama@gmail.com so that we can add you to our monthly salutation.

Click on the Nativity Lutheran Church Calendar Link below if you would like an "easy-to-read" full size view of the month.

It will open a new window featuring the calendar.

Wednesday, January 1

Happy New Year!

Thursday, January 2

8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom

Sunday, January 5

9:00 AM - Choir practice in Sanctuary/Adult education in Meeting Room

10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online

Monday, January 6

7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting

Tuesday, January 7

9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours

Atlantic Baking Company, Main St. Rockland

Thursday, January 9

8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom

3:00 PM - Coastal Family Hospice Volunteers Grief Group for Parents, Meeting Room

Sunday, January 12

9:00 AM - Choir practice in Sanctuary/Adult education in Meeting Room

10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online

Monday, January 13

7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting

Tuesday, January 14

9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours

Bagel Café, 30 Main St, Camden

Thursday, January 16

8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom

Sunday, January 19

9:00 AM - Choir practice in Sanctuary/Adult education in Meeting Room

10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online

Monday, January 20

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting

Tuesday, January 21

9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours

Main Street Markets, 435 Main St., Rockland

Thursday, January 23

8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom

3:00 PM - Coastal Family Hospice Volunteers Grief Group for Parents, Meeting Room

Sunday, January 26

9:00 AM - Choir practice in Sanctuary/Adult education in Meeting Room

10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online

Monday, January 27

7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting

Tuesday, January 28

9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours

FlipSide Coffee, 189 Main St, Thomaston

Thursday, January 30

8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom

Note For midweek prayer via zoom - there is a separate Zoom link.

Email Pastor at office@nativityrockport.org if you would like the zoom link. Please also email Pastor if you do not have the Sunday link.

Would you like to usher or read scripture during a service? We are looking for more assistants! Email Kim Murphy at kmusicorama@gmail.com if you would like to be added to the schedule.

Many of our congregational members will be singing at the Midcoast Community Choral Concert on Sunday, Jan. 12th at 3:00 PM. The poster below lists how to get tickets.

• The Pastor’s Discretionary Fund: Please remember that an extra $5 or $10 each month may make a huge difference to a family in need! Please indicate any additional donations as "Pastor's Discretionary" when you mail in your monthly offering.
  
• Don't forget: One simple way to help care for creation is to download the weekly bulletin onto your smart phone or tablet and then bring that device to worship or use it when you zoom at home saving paper and resources. Need help figuring that out? Call Pastor for Android help or Denise Stadler for Apple help.
  
• Your aluminum pop tabs can help keep families with sick children close to each other and the care and resources they need. Look for the paper bag on the Social Ministry bulletin board in the Narthex. Place your tabs in the bag and take your container home and fill it again! The tabs are donated to the Ronald McDonald House.
  

Connect with ELCA greater church

Read Bishop Eaton’s monthly article:

https://www.livinglutheran.org/

https://www.elca.org/Resources/Presiding-Bishop-Messages

A Note from your editor, Kim Murphy

Reminder - send articles and photos by the 20th of each month.

Email kmusicorama@gmail.com

Photos this month: Lynne Taylor, MaryAnn Hawkins, Elaine Isakson, Balloon Photo by Gaelle Marcel on Unsplash, Aluminum can tabs Photo by Donald Giannatti on Unsplash, Coffee Shop Photo by Rod Long on Unsplash, Beach Photo by Kees Streefkerk on Unsplash, Internet resources

Sunday Worship (Sept -May) 10:30 AM

Summer Sunday Worship (June - August) 9:30 AM

Email: office@nativityrockport.org
Website: www.nativityrockport.org
Location: 179 Old County Rd, Rockport, ME, United States
Phone: 207-594-4665