Remembering Elders
In the past year several religious figures who were long-time leaders in the environmental movement have died. The world mourned the death of Pope Francis, whose 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’ (2015) was a watershed moment in the climate movement. As we mark Samhain, Dia De Muertos, and All Saints Day, members of Third Act Faith reflect on three other giants in this field who may not be as well known, but whose work continues to inspire.
We also note the recent passing of Jane Gooddall. Although she was not a religious leader, we are inspired by her reverence for all life forms and tireless advocacy on behalf of wildlife and habitat preservation, as reflected in this online remembrance.
Joanna Macy (1929-2025)
By Martin WagnerLast July, Joanna Macy died at the age of 96. Joanna was a powerful, creative, widely loved person who brought to her life an energy few could match. She was a scholar, activist, author, translator of poetry, wife, mother, and friend.
As much as anything, Joanna was shaped by a deep love for life. But she didn’t look at the world through rose-colored glasses. Alongside its beauty, she saw profound suffering. Like many of us, this caused her to despair. But unlike many of us, she neither surrendered to her despair nor pushed it away. Instead, she welcomed it and asked what it had to teach her. In doing so, she discovered a philosophy and set of practices to help us reconnect to one another and the world, and to empower us to contribute to what she called “The Great Turning” – the transition from an exploitative life-destroying capitalism to a life-sustaining society.
These practices, which she called “The Work That Reconnects,” are organized around a spiral with four elements—Gratitude, Honoring the Pain of the World, Seeing with New Eyes, and Going Forth. Joanna didn’t just teach these ideas or lead people through practices to embody them—she lived them herself. And perhaps nowhere did she do this more fully and profoundly than in her dying.
Read Martin’s full tribute to his teacher and friend, including an account of how she embraced death with “enthusiasm and curiosity.”
Rabbi Arthur Waskow (1933-2025) By Adriane Leveen
Rabbi Arthur Waskow died on October 20, 2025. At a recent Third Act Faith meeting, both Jim Antal and Bill Mckibben spoke of their friendship with Rabbi Waskow, their admiration for his climate activism, and their sadness at news of his death. Rabbi Waskow was a true activist, never resting until the end. He was a leader in organizing creative acts of protest, fighting against racial segregation, the war in Vietnam, and the threats of a nuclear bomb. He was arrested at least 27 times in pursuing these causes!
Waskow founded the Shalom Center in 1983 to engage more directly and systematically in political advocacy and social justice, adding the protection of the environment as a top priority. As the climate crisis worsened, Waskow increasingly became a commanding voice within the Jewish community, up until his death, calling for creative, attention-seeking action in the public square on behalf of the planet.
In a conversation last year with Gloria Steinem, Waskow mused that even at his age, “As long as we continue to…transform the world with more equality, more justice, more joy, more love, we’ll keep on doing it.” Those of us in Third Act Faith can take those words as our call to action.
Read Adriane’s full tribute to Arthur Waskow on our website.
John Cobb (1926-2024) By Jane Ellen Nickell
United Methodist John Cobb was one of the first theologians to warn about environmental degradation, writing a 1972 book entitled Is It Too Late? An Ecological Theology. Cobb, who died on December 26, 2024, just weeks shy of his 100th birthday, was key to the development of process theology, which describes a cosmic process of change that affects and is affected by both God and humanity. Relationality lies at the core of process thought, and Cobb recognized the interconnected nature of creation, the global economy, and our relationships with God and each other.
Born in Japan, the child of missionary parents, John Cobb continued to engage with Asian countries, and his work reflects the influence of Asian religions, especially Buddhism. Active in interfaith circles, Cobb’s books on this topic helped Christians rethink theological models in relationship to other cultures and religions.
At this time of polarization, when forces seem destined to pull us farther apart, John Cobb’s voice resonates as a call to see our connections, not our differences, and to act in ways that contribute to the wellbeing of all, not just ourselves.
Read Jane Ellen’s blog post remembering John Cobb and others who died in the past year.
“Going Deep” is one of two newsletters published by Third Act Faith. Our other newsletter, Third Acts of Faith, provides our members and subscribers with the month's latest “News & Views.” It is usually published on the third Thursday of each month.