Free screening of The Letter Sept. 21 in Wooster
“The Letter” will screen on Thursday, Sept. 21, 6:30 pm at Westminster Church House, 353 E. Pine St. in Wooster. The 80-minute film, sponsored by the Wooster Interfaith Justice Committee, is free and no reservations are required.
“The Letter/A Message for Our Earth” is a documentary film that looks through the eyes of international frontline leaders who are battling the current ecological crisis facing the world.
“The Letter” will screen on Thursday, Sept. 21, 6:30 pm at Westminster Church House, 353 E. Pine St. in Wooster. The event, sponsored by the Wooster Interfaith Justice Committee, is free and no reservations are required. “The Letter” runs 80 minutes, followed by speaker comments and community discussion.
Paul Kipfstuhl, Director of the Social Action Office for Wayne, Ashland and Medina Counties for Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland, will be one of the discussion leaders at the film event. Susan Clayton, Professor of Psychology and Environmental Studies at The College of Wooster, will also participate.
“It is important to understand the basis for this film, and maybe even more specifically its title,” Kipfstuhl said. “Pope Francis issued a papal writing in 2015, titled “Laudato Si.” This encyclical is a letter not just to Catholics but all men and women of good will living on this planet. Francis is concerned about the health of the planet, just as his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI was. In Laudato Si, Francis sought to talk about the interconnectedness of everything.”
Each of the ecological leaders in the film received letters asking them to meet with Pope Francis and discuss their work. “It should be noted,” said Kipfstuhl, that the five individuals who received the letter from Francis are not Catholic.
The film’s story encourages a view of things as being interconnected; and that the way we treat our shared home — Earth — is a reflection of how we treat each other.
Featured in the film are a climate refugee from Senegal; an environmental defender and leader in the Brazilian Amazon; a youth climate activist from India; and biologists studying coral reefs in Hawaii. Footage includes their meeting with Pope Francis along with their personal stories and scientific findings.
After the screening, the audience will be invited to participate in a discussion to review thoughts on the film and look at what next steps could be taken in the community.
“I believe this film will help inform people on the needs facing our planet and our community,” said Kipfstuhl. “Further, I believe the film will also form people into taking action to help transform the world into a more sustainable planet.”
Kipfstuhl explained that he hopes this film will serve as a call to action for attendees to get involved. He further hopes that it will help people see the big picture — the global impact people have on the environment.
“And finally,” he said, “I hope people will be encouraged to read the whole Laudato Si document, as well as the update that Pope Francis will issue on Oct. 4 to conclude the Season of Creation.”
The film is suitable for all audiences, including teens and children. Read more about “The Letter” at https://www.theletterfilm.org/.
“I would highly encourage all people to attend,” Kipfstuhl said. “We each have the responsibility to be informed and formed and then transform the world into a better place for us to live.”