Autumn is often a time of introspection, falling as it does between abundance and absence, between end of summer harvest and the fallow period of winter. As the trees shed their summer's growth and vegetation bends back toward the earth, we, too, may feel called to review what underlies our own life's choices and directions.

What kind of harvest are we storing up? What are we giving our life's energies to? Are they really our choices or simply habits? As light lessens, and Daylight Savings time ends (at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1 this year), we may be more aware, perhaps, that none of us has unlimited time on this earth.

One of the blessings of living in the Northeast, is experiencing the beauty of the changing seasons and a sense of being in touch with this amazing Earth.

Just over 40 years ago, the world was astounded by the first picture of Earth taken from outer space - our Earth, a small, blue and white marble, surrounded by dark space. The poet, Archibald MacLeish, expressed this revelation: "To see the Earth as it truly is, small and blue and beautiful in that eternal silence where it floats, is to see ourselves as riders on the Earth together ... riders on that bright loveliness in the eternal cold ..."

The perspective offered from outer space was something that changed our horizons - affecting forever our view of our own planet. It was a giant step toward consciousness that we inhabit a small planet, part of a vast cosmos; a planet that does not have infinite resources. A new, global understanding of our relationship to earth was born. When I was growing up highways were covered with litter - garbage, paper, refuse of all sorts. Folks threw it out of car windows or dumped it by the road side. Out of car, out of mind. Keeping one's own private vehicle clean and tidy was a larger priority than concern for the mess being left for others. With legal changes, stiff fines and education, awareness changed. Children grew up not wanting to be "litter bugs." We took a small step toward a larger community of accountability.

Environmental awareness has been growing; awareness that our Earth is not able to absorb our misuse and our refuse. And time is running out. More and more people are aware that global warming presents a serious threat to species and communities, some already affected by climate change - through flooding or desertification.

And an encouraging and inspiring thing is happening among widely divergent faith communities, all of whom understand stewardship of the Earth as integral to living their faith. They are speaking out for the Earth, acting on behalf of the planet.

A recent film, "Renewal," documents some of what is taking place. In the film, we see a church group bear witness to mountaintop removal and destruction in Appalachia, and begin organizing against destructive practices. Another religious community does a waste-audit, going through a week's accumulation of waste and to see how much could be recycled, composted, etc. Another place of worship puts solar panels on its roof. There are many more examples.

The producers of this film say they were inspired to make the film by "the countless Americans who are answering a spiritual call to confront the enormous challenge of environmental degradation. For many, faith has inspired action. Grass-roots environmental initiatives are making a difference and offering hope. The religious-environmental movement grows as people from diverse traditions come together and work to build a sustainable future."

When so many news headlines proclaim the ways religions divide people, what is inspiring to me is that it didn't take shared theology for people to work together in common cause. What joins them is shared concern for the world we inhabit, and for the planet that our children are inheriting.

Today, people here in Attleboro join people world-wide, standing together in a message of love and concern for this Earth, a message about reducing the level of carbon in the atmosphere down from the current 387 parts per million to 350 parts. It is a climate action message to our elected leaders to act promptly.

We are indeed "riders on the Earth together." And together we can build a sustainable future.

The Rev. Sandra D. Fitz-Henry is the minister of Murray Unitarian Universalist Church in Attleboro. She is the mother of three grown children, and has one grandchild. She was an artist, religious educator and hospital chaplain, before entering parish ministry full time. Her columns are published monthly on The Sun Chronicle's religion pages, and online at thesunchronicle.com/columns.