Search

294 items
list | grid

294 items

  • Laudato Si’ Can Change the World

    The Carmelite NGO has created new curriculum on Laudato Si’: Laudato Si’ Can Change the World. It is meant for grades 9-12 and also includes an adult study guide meant for study groups or college classes. The program is available to purchase on their website.

  • Laudato Si’ Reflection Resource

    This reflection on Laudato Si’ is a resource from Ecospirituality. It highlights important quotes and offers additional resources related to creation care. Suggested actions are listed in addition to the weekly reflection program.

  • World Environment Day in Ruvu Mungano Tanzania

    From Natalie Georgalas:

    "On July 5, I spent the day at a World Environment Day celebration in a camp known as Loresho on the outskirts of the village of Ruvu Mungano in the district of Same in Tanzania. Loresho camp has been established by the Tanzanian government to help relocate people who have been affected by the flooding of the Ruvu River. The guest of honor for the ceremony was the Regional Commissioner who spoke of the relief the government was providing to the people and also how all the people of Same can make a difference on World Environment Day. The focus for the celebration was planting trees, which was done at the end of the ceremony to show a good example.

    After the regional commissioner spoke, the regional bishop of the KKKT (in Swahili it is Kanisa la Kinjili la Kiluteri Tanzania) Northern Diocese Lutheran Church spoke about World Environment Day as well. Because the ceremony was given in Swahili, Mr. Gerry Mmbaga, who works for the Kilimanjaro Hope Organization (Kiho), did his best to translate it for me.

    The Bishop spoke about the Bible, and how God created the world but he created the man last. As he created the first man, Adam, he ordered him to take care of each and every thing concerning the environment. He also discussed how conserving the world was ordered by God because the environment is life; without the environment there is no life. He emphasized that God created the world first and the man last and ordered the man in the Eden Garden to take care of the environment.

    The translation from Swahili to English can sometimes be tough, but the main idea remains. If you would like to read more about Kiho, you can click here. If you are interested in learning more, I will be posting more about the religious organizations in Marwa, a village in the Same district, and how they engage with sustainable community development".

  • Religion and Development in Tanzania

    From Natalie Georgalas's Research Project:

    For the month of June, I will be interviewing different religious denominations in the village of Marwa in Tanzania. There are a total of five different denominations within this rural village: Pentecost, Lutheran, Muslim, Seventh-day Adventist, and Catholic. The purpose of these interviews is to ultimately help the OSU Maji Marwa project learn more about the people of Marwa in order to offer them the best possible assistance. This is also a personal research project.

    My original plan was not to make a post about each of these interviews. However, after interviewing in a few of the denominations, I changed my mind. I first spoke with the Pentecost ya Umoja Marwa church, which translates to Pentecost Church of Unity in Marwa. I first met the pastor, Mbatiani, and he radiated light. We do not speak the same language, but I could feel the love his smile radiated. After interviewing him and a few of the parishioners, they asked me if I could share their message of love with my friends in America, so I asked them if they would like me to make a post and they very excitedly agreed. So, I thought I would make one post about this specific church and their views on the relationship between sustainable community development and their religion.

    Subsequently, after interviewing the Masji min auwarami, which translates to Mosque of Muslim Unity, and the Marwa Seventh-Day Adventist church, I have decided to write a post about each of the different denominations I interview.

    I am inspired by the positivity and love that the religious leaders and parishioners have towards me, a complete stranger from across the world who does not even speak their language. I think that it would be unfair for me not to share these messages, and so with the blessing of my collaborators, I will be posting small descriptions of my conversations along with pictures and videos I have taken along the way.

  • Profile: John B. Cobb Jr.

    John B. Cobb is an American theologian working in ecology and creation care. The prolific author of more than fifty books has argued inside the church and the academy for faith inspired environmental action. He began writing on faith and environmentalism in the 1970s and has remained a prominent activist and theologian through his life. In 2014, Cobb’s accomplishments were celebrated when he was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

    Cobb and his students put together an early Ecotheology book list, current through 1991. Cobb’s speeches and works can be found online, and his books can be found at many major retailers and your favorite independent bookstore.

  • God’s Gift of Water

    Creation Justice Ministries encourages Christian communities to consider water as a sacred gift from God that connects and sustains all life. They have created a free Christian education resource on water that includes liturgical resources, sermon starters, and ideas to take action.

  • Justice for Each Generation

    Justice for Each Generation started with the landmark case, Juliana v. U.S. Twenty-one youth had filed a lawsuit against the United States government for its role in causing climate change and violating their right to life, liberty, and property, while also failing to protect essential public resources. They are calling for sermons from youth and adults of all faiths as a collective statement that sends a signal to the rest of society.

  • Leadership Meeting Guide - Protecting Your Nest

    This meeting guide from Evangelical Environmental Network MOMS offers ways to live in a simple, toxic free home. It focuses on ways to protect children from fossil fuels and consumption of chemicals that are known to cause diseases. Suggestions for household improvements in this area include: reading labels, dumping processed foods, using homemade cleaning products, and more.

  • Divest and Reinvest Central

    GreenFaith has created a list of known religious efforts to divest and reinvest from fossil fuels. The list includes religious groups that have: divested their own funds, committed to never investing in fossil fuels, passed or considered national or local resolutions, focused on reinvestment, or taken divestment or reinvestment on pension funds.

  • Five Ways to Prevent Air Pollution

    Evangelical Environmental Network Moms (EEN Moms) provide this information sheet, urging individuals to take action in areas that might seem overwhelming and/or too difficult to change. This message by EEN Moms focuses on air pollution. Small action/steps taken by everyone can add up to make significant changes to the quality of air for our planet.

  • Leadership Meeting Guide – Breathe Free and Easy

    Evangelical Environmental Network MOMS strive for pollution free air for everyone around the globe. They believe that clean air is a fundamental gift from God (Genesis 1). Even in the United States, there are still people fighting for clean air. This resource provides a video and discussion questions about how mothers can make a difference and advocate for healthy, clean air for all. The guide can be downloaded for easier use at meetings as well.

  • 10 Eco-Mission Projects

    Evangelical Environmental Network MOMS has created a list of family oriented service projects that focus on the environment. These ideas not only offer ways to serve the community, but also take care of God’s earth in simple but effective ways.

  • A Prayer for Labour Day

    As Labor Day approaches, it is important to remember to relax and enjoy a day free of work. Godspace (https://godspacelight.com/about/) has offered a prayer to give thanks for the hard work of laborers and communities, and to reflect on gratitude, mercy, service, justice, and the beauty of creation through God’s work. This prayer is adapted from a prayer found on the Christ Church Ontario website.

  • For Love of Lavender

    For Love of Lavender is an account of how Christine Sine, creator of Godspace and writer for Evangelical Environmental Network MOMS, encountered God through the beauty, fragrance, and abundance of the lavender in her garden. Reflecting on her garden informs her of God's work and calls to mind numerous bible verses, including Proverbs 27:9: The heart is delighted by the fragrance of oil and sweet perfumes, and in just the same way, the soul is sweetened by the wise counsel of a friend. Christine also mentions how to use these lessons to teach children.

  • Creation Care Hack: Energy Efficiency at Home and Energy Efficient Kits

    One of the most effective ways to alleviate the impact of carbon emissions on the planet is to reduce individual energy usage. Evangelical Environmental Network has created a resource guide that provides practical tips and suggestions to decrease energy output. It also includes ways to create energy efficient kits that can be distributed at churches or used as part of a mission project.

  • Evangelical Environmental Network: The Last Straw

    Up to 12 billion tons of plastic trash end up in God’s oceans. Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN) maintains that trash is an affront to the glory of God. Trash eventually ends up someplace, and that someplace belongs to God. In order to put a stop to this waste, EEN has created The Last Straw Campaign Pledge. This pledge urges individuals to decline straws at restaurants and other food/beverage establishments, and avoid purchasing for home use. Additional steps of advocacy that one can take include asking local restaurants to only provide straws when customers request them and asking elected officials at the local and state levels to phase out the use of plastic straws, and single-use plastic.

  • Season of Creation Week 2: Climate Change: A Challenge, Our Concern

    For each week of the Season of Creation, the World Council of Churches offers a resource for celebrating creation. The second week of the Season of Creation is focused on climate change and the challenge of responding to Pope Francis’ call to care for creation. This document contains a hymn, a call to repentance, a responsive reflection, and an intercession.

  • Season of Creation Week 1: A Culture of Relationships That Heals our Throwaway Culture

    For each week of the Season of Creation, the World Council of Churches offers a resource for celebrating creation. The first week focuses on the throwaway culture that society has created and urges individuals to instead focus on just and sustainable practices. The document includes a call to prayer, a scripture reading, a hymn, and a responsive reflection.

  • Season of Creation Calendar 2018-2020

    The Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of Victoria and Tasmania has put forth a revised Season of Creation Calendar that is more inclusive of traditions and cultures from both domestic and international faith groups. In addition to the calendar dates, a calendar statement is included, calling for an ecological conversion along with a celebratory message of "Creation Day."

  • Prayers of the Faithful

    Prayers of the Faithful is a selection of Catholic prayers from Season of Creation that can be used during mass or other religious services for the Season of Creation Month. The following is an excerpt from one of the prayers:

    "United by our Catholic faith and respect for all life, including the life of unborn generations,we pray that the human family takes action to transition to clean energy and keep climate change in check. Let us pray. With a shared sense of responsibility to care for God’s beautiful, live giving creation, we pray that the goals of energy transition, reduced global warming, and protection of life for all are attained. Let us pray."

  • Season of Creation Event Planning

    The Season of Creation is a great time to introduce environmental themes by holding a prayer service, planting a tree, advocating for change, or simply holding a conversation about the Christian responsibility to Creation. Examples of available resources offered include: Prayer and Worship, Hold an Education or Sustainability Event, and Participate in a Campaign.

  • Earth Day statement from ELCA presiding bishop

    The Reverend Elizabeth A. Eaton, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), issued an Earth Day statement on behalf of the ELCA. A salient excerpt from the statement is shown below:

    "The effects of the warming climate are felt in nearly every corner of the globe. These include increased migration, food insecurity due to changing agricultural landscapes, national security issues and health problems. As bad as it is for all creation, the most vulnerable people around the world are suffering the most. Yet they have contributed the least and, as noted in the United Nation's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,[iii] are ill equipped to adapt to or mitigate the effects of a changing climate to build resilient communities."

  • Caring for Creation:Vision, Hope, and Justice

    The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has put forth this social statement, which emphasizes their stance on care for creation. The statement focuses on our place in creation, the current environmental crisis, and hope through action. In addition, they emphasize becoming an advocate for change.

  • PC(USA) Collaborative Agenda on Environmental Stewardship

    Chief executives of the six churches of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) provide their rationale for creating the Collaborative Agenda on Environmental Stewardship:

    "Noting the deep concern about urgent environmental challenges expressed by many commissioners at the 221st General Assembly (2014), chief executives of the six agencies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) appointed a working group to develop a joint response. The group consisting of at least one staff member per agency—was asked to craft a positive statement of what each agency, and the agencies together, have done and plan to do regarding environmental stewardship. This document is designed to call attention to ongoing efforts by the PC(USA) to confront the underlying causes of climate change, and to resources available through the six agencies to congregations, mid councils, and other mission and ministry groups wishing to join in the effort. The working group, meeting together regularly over a period of nine months, has produced the following document— 'Collaborative Agenda on Environmental Stewardship.' It has been reviewed by each of the agency boards, which have each endorsed the document as a whole and recommended that the General Assembly also endorse it as a helpful resource to the whole denomination. This effort is particularly noteworthy as it is unusual for an item of business to come to the assembly from a collaboration of all six agencies."

  • Blessed Tomorrow - Caring for Creation Today - Commitment to Act on Climate Change

    The Presbyterian Church acknowledges that burning fossil fuels can cause irreparable damage to the Earth and to humans, with a disproportionate impact on the poor and vulnerable, and advocate instead for cleaner energy sources. They emphasize that care for creation is not a political, economic, or scientific issue, but rather a moral responsibility laid before us by God. For this reason, they are partnering with Blessed Tomorrow, to facilitate the creation of new tools and guides that will help to create a more sustainable future.