‘Earthalujah!’: A Rebel ‘Pastor’ Preaches for the Planet
By Cara Buckley
New York Times
July 31, 2024
The preacher stood wild-eyed before his flock, swaying to a gospel choir. His pompadour stood tall, his voice was thunderous, and his all white suit perfectly matched the heeled white loafers he was wearing on his feet.
Behind them hung a 14-foot high photo of Earth, the very reason this preacher, choir and congregants had gathered in a converted storefront in Manhattan’s East Village one Sunday in July.
This was Earthchxrch, also known as Earth Church, the latest iteration in the ever evolving mash-up of performance art, satire, protest and song from Reverend Billy Talen, a self-anointed preacher and ersatz clergyman, and the Stop Shopping Choir.