Water and chemicals bubble up from a punctured aquifer off of Highway 126 near Rogersville. An elderly man was walking through the forest on his land when he noticed a swamp had sprung up from nowhere. He saw that the water was coming from a hole in the ground beneath a tree tacked with a metal plate saying it was one of SWNs exploration lines. The hole, called a shot-hole, was drilled by SWN contractor Geokinetics as part of seismic exploration work. The company creates holes then fills them with explosives. Seismic data is then gathered from the explosion. It is believed that the aquifer is exposed to contamination as a result, although SWN denies that the testing is unsafe. The few regional highways are major arteries for local traffic and the most direct routes through the thick forest. They provide an efficient thoroughfare for SWN to collect seismic data on the amount of natural gas hiding in the underground shale formations. On October 17, 2013, anti-fracking protests turned violent when the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) raided the encampment that had been peacefully blockading SWNs equipment, preventing them from doing seismic testing- a prelude to fracking. The RCMP arrested 40 people while torched police cars sent clouds of black smoke into the air. Police pepper sprayed elders from Elsipogtog, fired sock rounds to control the crowd, and an RCMP officer was infamously recorded shouting Crown land belongs to the government, not to fucking natives. The community responded by steadfastly maintaining encampments in key locations to disrupt any attempted work by SWN. On December 6, 2013 SWN pulled out and ended their operations in New Brunswick. Community members believe they will return, and that the fight is far from over. Hosted by 350 Triangle, Clean Water for NC, United Earth Ministries at United Church of Chapel Hill, and Working Films. Nothing in this world can live without water. Join us for a free screening and discussion of Water Warriors to learn how one group stopped the gas industry in its tracks as well as what you can do on a local scale! For background about the film, see http://www.storyline.media/waterwarriors.
The season of Advent is a season of faithful waiting, a time when we prepare our hearts to receive the gift of Christ's birth. Yet with the many demands on our lives and the noise of consumer messages about Christmas surrounding us, it is often hard to tend to our deepest spiritual longings. To support you as we enter into this poignant moment in the church year, the Board of Adult Education invites UCCH members and friends to pause for quiet prayer on the morning before Advent begins. The forms of contemplative prayer we'll practice and explore together include silence, written reflection based on an Advent version of the Iganatian examen, walking an indoor labyrinth, and praying with images of the Madonna and Holy Family. Don't worry, there will be time to talk, too, and light snacks will be offered. Childcare will be available upon request. There is no fee, but please register by emailing Susan Steinberg - ssteinberg@unitedchurch.org. Led by Susan Steinberg and Nancy Jones