| Eco-Justice Action
by Jenny Holmes
Earth Care Summit: Environmental Justice and Faith.
January 30th, 2012, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., (registration and display tables at 5 p.m.),
Highland Christian Center, 7600 NE Glisan St., Portland.
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon invites all congregations striving to care for creation and our communities to learn, share, and be inspired at the third annual Earth Care Summit. The event will include a locally-grown dinner, keynote and presentations from congregations about their greening efforts. Our keynote is The Rev. Dr. LeRoy Haynes of Allen Temple CME Church. Resource people will discuss a variety of topics on putting faith into action around environmental justice, including food justice, clean jobs and environmental health. Come network with others and be inspired! $25 per person (includes dinner and materials). Student discount and scholarships available. Congregations are encouraged to co-sponsor a table of eight for $200. For more information go to www.emoregon.org or call Alison at 503-221-1054 ext. 210.
Let’s Move!
Connecting Food, Health and Stewardship of Land
The PC(USA) has become involved with the First Lady's Let’s Move Initiative because of its commitment to ending childhood poverty, hunger and obesity. believing that ‘poverty in a world of abundance is an intolerable violation of God's good creation’ and hunger and obesity are symptoms of such poverty. PC(USA) is trying to involve 1,000 congregations in the Let’s Move Initiative. To become involved, churches take steps to alleviate hunger and promote health through a variety of programs. Some of these activities also work to care for God’s earth. For instance, if your church hosts a community garden, a farmers’ market, or serves as a drop off site for a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, you can be a Let’s Move congregation.
There are many other ways to become involved surrounding children’s programming and healthy living. For more information go to www.pcusa.org/letsmove
NCC Eco Justice Prayers for the Gulf:
The slow-motion tragedy of the gulf oil spill lays bare our collective failure as caretakers of God’s good creation. While unknown thousands of barrels of oil leak into the rich and diverse ecosystem of the Gulf of Mexico, how are we as Christians called to respond? While it is easy to express anger and cast blame at the companies who owned, operated and profited from the deep sea exploration, we must also reflect on our own complicity through our endless demand for cheap oil.
So much remains unknown: How long will the oil flow into the gulf? How far will the oil slick spread? How damaging will the spill be to fragile wetlands and the flora and fauna in the region? How will the spreading oil slick jeopardize the future of thousands of watermen and those who depend on the Gulf for their livelihoods?
In the face of these uncertainties, we turn to the One who is certain – the One whose creative and recreating power is stronger than any of our human folly. May we heed the call of the Scriptures, humble ourselves and pray that God will forgive our sins and heal the land.
Earth Care Congregations: A Resource for Action and Recognition
Is your congregation looking for a framework for starting a Creation Care team? Or do you want to do more and get recognized for it? Use “Earth Care Congregations: A Guide to Greening Presbyterian Churches” to find ideas for earth care projects and to become certified as an Earth Care Congregation through Environmental Ministries. To become certified as Earth Care Congregations churches take the “Earth Care Pledge” and complete activities and projects in the fields of worship, education, facilities and outreach. “A Guide to Greening Presbyterian Churches” provides congregations with worksheets, resources and instructions for becoming an Earth Care Congregation.
Check the new PCUSA Earth Care Congregations certification program at http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/environment/earth-care-congregations/.
Guidelines for Field Trips to Connect People with Creation
Not enough of us take the time to truely enjoy and connect with God's Creation. A deep connection to the Creator through the Creation nourishes our spirituality as well as motivating and informing our care of all that God has entrusted to us. At the Eco-Justice Team's May 12 pre-Presbytery workshop on Church Land and Water Stewardship, co-chair Barry McPherson provided a presentation on how churches can help connect people with Creation that is filled with practical ideas and checklists for successful field trips that provide education, fellowship, and inspiration.
We are pleased to share here.
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