NCC Eco-Justice Working Group -- Capsules

November 2009 Edition

Yale Forum of Religion and Ecology's monthly FORE Newsletter. Get an overview of Thomas Berry's new book, see a connection between non-violence and sustainability and see other resources promoted by Forum on Religion and Ecology (FORE) Newsletter. Click here for more details.

Ecumenical Water Network,

has posted an online newsletter regarding a number of different faith and eco-justice issues. Click here for more information.

Earth Care Summit with Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon

On February 1st, 2010 a celebration of congregations going green will take place. It will be an event in which communities can resource each other, get information on watershed stewardship, zero-waste, energy efficiency, developing community gardens and much more. For more details and registration to be a part of the Earth Care Summit in Oregon c lick here.

New Healthy Spa Workshop Guide for Congregations
Most people use an average of nine personal care products everyday. Over 12,000 chemicals are used in personal care products. Made In the Image of God: Healthy Spa Workshop is a guide with information on what kinds of chemicals are in daily personal care products, recipies to make non-toxic products, and information about how congregations can treat their bodies with the care God intended. Download this resource here.

Climate Change Advocacy Toolkit
Check out this advocacy toolkit from the Micah Network. It provides practical information that you can use as start up ideas, as reminders, and educational material for your own communities.

Eco-Justice Working Group

Church of the Brethren

Environmental Justice Office of Presbyterian Church (USA)

Presbyterian Washington Office

Episcopal Ecological Network

Greek Orthodox Church in America

Lutheran Earthkeeping Network of the Synods

Reformed Church in America

United Church of Christ

United Methodist Board of Church and Society

2010 Earth Day Sunday Resource Available

The 2010 Earth Day Sunday Resource, Sacred Spaces and an Abundant Life: Worship Spaces as Stewardship is available now to help congregations prepare for and celebrate stewardship in their house of worship. Click here to download a copy from the web. Click here to request a hard copy. For more information on the topics covered in this resource, click here

Updated Story from Earth Day 2010 Resource

A ruling on a lawsuit filed by the Mossville Environmental Action Now (MEAN), Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN), and the Sierra Club will produce air emission standards on polyvinyl chloride plants known as PVC plants. Mossville, LA noted as the vinyl production capital of the world has 6 vinyl factories that have gone unrestricted in their emissions of known carcinogens. MEAN, LEAN and the Sierra Club based on the Clean Air Act filed suit against the EIPA for not regulating the factories, and upholding the standards of the Clean Air Act. A settlement has been reached and the EPA will begin regulating the toxins released by PVC plants by July 29, 2011. Click here for more inform ation

Stewards of the Bay: Toolkit for Congregation in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

This 2005 stewardship resource is being updated and will include practical guides for making you church energy efficient and reduce rainwater pollution coming from the church buildings and grounds. Lean how to get an energy audit, build a rain garden, and install rain barrels and more. Track your congregation's success and learn how to encourage members to participate.

Maryland Congregations: Click here if you would like a hard copy of the updated Stewards of the Bay Toolkit, or would like for someone to give a presentation on how congregations can answer the faithful calling to Care for the God's Creation in Chesapeake Bay through energy efficiency and stormwater management. Be sure to include your name, the name of your congregation, your address and contact information.

Maryland Tree Planting

It's the fall planting season and The Maryland Department of Natural Resources PLANT and BE COUNTED program is a call to Maryland congregations, homeowners, and businesses to plant trees this fall and register them online. This State program offers a $25 coupon to purchase any native tree costing $50 or more from participating nurseries throughout the state. There is no limit to how many coupons can be used and they can be printed directly from the web site. The website also has guidance for selecting and planting trees for your location as well as a tool to calculate the benefits of the trees planted. This is an easy way for Congregations to be good stewards of the Chesapeake Bay and local communities.

United Methodist Bishops Announce Call for Renewal

In updating the 1986 statement In Defense of Creation, the Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church hopes to "renew our understanding of God's holy vision for peace, people and Earth." Over the last 5 years the Council has investigated the environmental crisis facing the world today and have challenged the UMC to take serious steps towards peace. Read the report, read the letter the Bishops have called to be read during Advent, and see the resources the UMC are providing to support God's Renewed Creation: A Call for Hope an d Action.

People of Faith Call for Climate Justice

With the United Nations climate change negotiations only weeks away, more than 14,ooo signatures were delivered to President Obama and Congress calling for an effective and moral response to the climate crisis. Click here to read more.

Episcopal School in Austin, TX Makes Major Strides in Greening Campus

Trinity Episcopal School installing solar panels, establishing training programs for composting, and recycling are just a few of the ways Trinity is taking seriously the impact it has on the environment as a center for education. Read this article to see how this K-8th grade school instills in its students a connection to the environment.

CarbonFast for Lent 2010

Tearfund, a Christian global relief and development agency is providing resources for the 2010 CarbonFast for Lent next spring. Click here for resources so your community can address issues of climate change during Lent.

Thanksgiving: Resources to help learn and live differently during this season.

Thanksgiving is a time in which we celebrate with family, and friends thanking God for the gift of life, the changing seasons, and where we have been as a community. We gather together for beautiful meals during this time and as we do, it is vital to remember all of God's Creation. To think about, pray over, and take action regarding where our food comes from this Thanksgiving, consider filling your table with food from local farmers, or which has been organically produced.

We have a number of worship and education resources to help you consider the food that you eat as integral to the Creation God called good.. At The Lord's Table: Everyday Thanksgiving and Our Daily Bread provide thoughts on where food comes from and how we can lead more sustainable lives with the choices we make in regards to the food we put on the table. We also have a youth Sunday School resource, Sacred Food, that helps students connect with the land and production way in new creative ways. These resources, and others on our website, can help you thank God not only in word, but through the food we share.

May this thanksgiving be a time of celebration with friends and family and a remembrance of the connectedness we share with the rest of humanity as well as the Creation that offers life