DSO Connections

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The Diocese of Southern Ohio utilizes an online platform, Connections, to maintain open channels of communication throughout their community. Their articles on Creation Care are complied in a single page which includes updates from individual congregations that have made steps toward creation care in energy efficiency and more. They also provide resources to connect one’s faith with civic action. They shared an article outlining 2019 attempts to end Ohio’s renewable energy standards and included ways that individuals could contact their legislators.

To access Connections Creation Care Page click here.

To access the article on attempts to end Ohio’s energy standards click here. 

Living Lent

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Living lent is a resource from The Joint Public issues Team. Their goal is to help people recognize that changing the climate is a lifestyle, not just an activity. They offer six different commitments to make not just during lent, but all together. They offer facts supporting why each commitment is important and how to stay committed. This is part of their goal to make climate action a lifestyle and to help people “Live Lent”. To read more about Living Lent and the six commitments, click here.

 

Lent and the Sustainable Development Goals

Mercy World Logo

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Mercy International Organization has created a resource for Lent related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) . A few days are assigned to each of the seventeen SDG’s, with readings and a few thoughts to consider in your daily life related to each goal. To download this free resource, click here.

Seven Weeks for Water

Seven Weeks for Water 2019

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The World Council of Churches Ecumenical Water Network has created a campaign “Seven Weeks for Water” to provide weekly reflections and other resources on water for the seven weeks of Lent. Each reflection starts with a scripture and then the author’s reflection. There are also reflection questions for the reader and possible actions to take.

The first reflection, “Challenging gendered water: an important step towards women’s empowerment” is by Renemsongla Ozukum, a theologian and a member of the Baptist Church Council, Nagaland India. The reflection is focused on John 4: 4-26: And Jesus said to her, “I am the Living Water”..…everyone who drinks the water will never be thirsty again. 

The second reflection, “Pilgrimage of water justice in the context of India” is by Dr.Geevarghese Mor Coorilos, Bishop of Niranam diocese of the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church in India. He also serves the World Council of Churches as Moderator of the Commission on World Mission and Evangelism. His reflection comes from John 4:1-30: Samaritan Woman at the Well.

 The third reflection, “God’s Gift of Water” is by Grace Ji-Sun Kim. She is an ordained minister of PC (USA) and works as an Associate Professor of Theology at Earlham School of Religion. She is also part of the World Council of Churches working group on climate change. Her reflection comes from Isaiah 44:3 For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground…

The fourth reflection, “Stigma and discrimination: an impediment to human right to water, with specific reference to Casteism in India” is by Rev. Dr Raj Bharat Patta. He is an ordained minister of the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church in India and served the Student Christian Movement of India as its national General Secretary. He has also worked for the National Council of Churches in India as one of its Executive Secretaries. His reflection narrates the story of Hagar through her voice, when she was left in the desert to fend for herself without an adequate supply of water to survive with and to keep her son Ishmael alive. Patta, draws similarities between the Dalit communities in India and that of Hagar, when it comes to access to water.

The last three reflections are as follows: “Secure water for food security and climate adaptation”, “Leaving no one behind: the crux of water for all in the context of SDG 6”, and “Privatisation of water: an onslaught to human right to water in Asia”. These  will be available at the beginning of each of the coming weeks. To read more about the Seven Weeks of Water, click here.

 

Eating Simply for Lent

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“Growing in simplicity for Lent is a gift of the spirit. We now know that it’s also a way to sustainably inhabit our place in God’s creation.”

Global Catholic Climate Movement is focusing on protecting creation this Lent. They are advocating for “Eating Simply,” by adding a day of plant-based meals to your diet, or eating only plant based meals during Lent. They offer recipes and easy meals to help the transition. To read more or to make the commitment to eat simply, click here.

Build a Catholic Relief Services Ark of Hope

CRS: Catholic Relief Services

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“Remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature—every mortal being that is on Earth.” – Genesis 9:16

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) created Ark of Hope as a way to get communities engaged in a fun and creative way. Relating to the hope and promise from the story of Noah’s Ark, the CRS Ark of Hope program allows communities to donate symbolic animals to people in need as they “build an ark.” As communities work towards their goal, they can color in animals and place them on an arc. The materials included with this program are lesson plans, a prayer service, coloring pages, and a bulletin-board Ark to show the progress communities are making towards reaching their goals and building their ark. To read more or begin an Ark of Hope, click here.

Stories of Change

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Stories of Change is a compilation of people from all different religions who have chosen to “live the change.” This page, from Living the Change, showcases inspiring stories of people and the changes they have made with a short description and video for each person. To read more on the Stories of Change, click here.

Time for Living the Change Media Toolkit

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Time for Living the Change Media Toolkit is a resource from Living the Change that offers ways to use social media and other forms of media to help advertise and market a sustainable living event. They offer logo examples, email templates, social media and outreach tips, and more. To read more or download the media toolkit, click here.

Time for Living the Change Talking Points

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Time for Living the Change Talking Points is a document from Living the Change that offers helpful ways to talk about what “living the change” means. The document discusses why sustainable behavior changes are important and how faith can play a role. To read all of the talking points, click here.

Time for Living the Change

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Picture courtesy of livingthechange.net

Time for Living the Change is a global initiative between religious and spiritual communities to encourage local sustainability events and celebrations around the world. The goals of this event are to:

  • align with faithful values
  • allow a future for all by taking care of the Earth
  • reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prevent waste and harm
  • send a strong message to communities, decision-makers and businesses and governments
  • share and celebrate the decisions people make in their own lives to allow a flourishing world for all
  • share stories of change
  • lift up leaders and sustainable solutions in our own community
  • learn from one another
  • offer guidance around transitioning towards sustainable living

To read more about Time for Living the Change, click here.