Picture courtesy of seasonofcreation.org
The Season of Creation begins on September 1st, the Day of Prayer for Creation, and ends on October 4th, the feast day of St. Francis. Each year, thousands of Christians observe the Season of Creation through prayer services, sustainability action, and advocacy campaigns. To view a map that shows events around the world, or to register your own event, click here.
Picture courtesy of yecaction.org/dayofprayer
Day of Prayer for Climate Action was held on September 1st. Young Evangelicals for Climate Action created a list of resources including climate liturgies, a prayer guide, thematic prayers, examples of how to turn prayer into action, a prayer digital toolkit, and a printable climate prayer sign. To read more, click here.
Picture courtesy of creationcare.org
Evangelical Environmental Network MOMS believe that everyone has a right to pollution free air. They believe it is a fundamental gift from God (Genesis 1), but in the United States, there are still people fighting for clean air. This resource provides a video and discussion questions how Moms can make a difference and advocate for healthy, clean air. The guide can be downloaded for easier use at meetings as well. To read more, click here.
To download the meeting guide, click here.
To download the handcard that corresponds to this meeting guide, click here.
Picture courtesy of creationcare.org
Evangelical Environmental Network MOMS has created a list of family oriented service projects focused 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. To read more, click here.
Picture courtesy of creationcare.org
Evangelical Environmental Network has created a resource to give tips and hacks on using less energy. It also includes ways to make energy efficient kits that can be distributed at churches or used as a mission project. To read more click here.
Picture courtesy of creationcare.org
Up to 12 billion tons of plastic trash end up in God’s oceans, and Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN) believes that trash is an affront to the glory of God. Trash always ends up somewhere, and that somewhere belongs to God. They believe that throwing trash away is equivalent to sneaking into God’s backyard and piling trash there and then pretending that it never happened. In order to put a stop to the 12 billion tons of plastic trash, EEN has created The Last Straw Campaign Pledge. It is a pledge to decline straws at restaurants and other food/beverage establishments, phase out using them at home, and consider going deeper, such as: 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. To read more or take the pledge, click here.
Picture courtesy of yecaction.org
Republican Congressman Carlos Curbelo, who represents South Florida, has proposed the Market Choice Act in Congress. The carbon tax bill would improve public health, protect vulnerable communities, and safeguard our generation’s future—all while exceeding the U.S. reduction commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement. The Young Evangelicals believe this is the moral leadership on climate change that has been desperately lacking in Congress for far too long.The Young Evangelicals state that they are proud to support Rep. Curbelo’s leadership and hope that lawmakers hear loud and clear that the rising generation of evangelicals overwhelmingly support climate action, and that young evangelicals will be watching closely how they respond to Rep. Curbelo’s proposal. To read more, click here.
Picture courtesy of creationjustice.org.
Creation Justice Ministries has created a free Christian education resource on water that includes liturgical resources, sermon starters, and ideas to take action. They believe that God provides all of creation with clean water for good reason and that this gift is to be rightly shared among all peoples and all creation. To read more or download the educational resource, click here.
Image courtesy of udayton.edu
In June 2014, the University of Dayton became the first Catholic university in the United States to announce their divestment from coal and fossil fuels. Members of the university staff see this move as part of the university’s commitment to “being a responsible steward of the Earth’s natural resources.” This decision was commended by the president of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities. Their decision was one inspired by faith reflection as well as a commitment to financial stability for the university.
Beyond divesting from coal and fossil fuels, the university has taken further steps to move their campus toward efficiency and sustainability. A signatory of the of The American College and University President’s Climate Commitment (ACU PCC) and a member of other sustainability committees, the university now has two full time employees who work to improve campus sustainability and offers academic programs in these areas as well.
The University of Dayton is also home to the Hanley Sustainability Institute.
Click here to be linked to The University of Dayton’s site on their efficiency and sustainability initiatives. Click here to be directed to the Hanley Institute homepage.
One book recommended by EEN. Image courtesy of creationcare.org.
The online resource page for the Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN) offers many helpful resources for clergy and lay persons looking to engage their faith with care of the environment.
This page gives introductory resources for those entering the conversation as well as practical implementation of creation care. Sermon starters and devotionals provide links for personal or community consideration of scripture and environment. It also links to books recommended by the EEN in Creation Care, Food and Food Policy, National Parks and Public Lands, Sustainable Business, and Children’s books. This section of the page may be especially useful for those looking to do a book study in creation care.
Click here to be directed to the EEN’s resource page.