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February 2009 Edition
Caring for Creation Conference: March 5-8, 2009, Lake Junaluska, NC.
The Caring for Creation Conference experience provides the Biblical and theological support, as well as plenary sessions for developing opportunities for faith communities to be caretakers of our home Earth. For more information Click here.
“Greening Our Spirits, Greening Our World”: June 15-21, 2009, Ghost RanchRetreat Center,Abiquiu, NM
This course will offer an in-depth week of group study and reflection on answering God’s call to care for the Earth, and a chance to re-fill your spiritual well in the mystical surroundings of Ghost Ranch. For more information on the program Click here or contact Kim at kwinchelldm@aol.com
Presbyterian Conservation Core Young Adult Stewards Program:
Eco-Stewards West (July 5th-12th) will be held in collaboration between Highlands Presbyterian Camp and Retreat Center in Colorado for training and the Greenwood Farm for a hands-on project of building a “green” house.
Eco-Stewards East (August 2nd-9th) will be held in collaboration between Stronghold Conference Center in Illinois for training and the Lakeview Presbyterian Church for hands-on work in the Chicago community. They are looking for Eco-Steward applicants from ages 18-24 years old who demonstrate interest in church, camp, and environmental concerns. The application deadline is May 1, 2009. Click here for more.
Interfaith Climate Stewardship Advocacy DayMarch 4, Interfaith Climate Stewardship Advocacy Day,9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Hudson Hall, Willamette University in Salem, OR - Join the fun of advocacy training, briefings on state climate and energy legislation, keynotes by Bishop David Brauer-Rieke, Oregon Synod ELCA and Governor Ted Kulongoski's office, and visits with legislators.To register call (503) 221-1054 ext. 201. The cost is $15.00 before Feb. 20th and $20 after, students and seniors are $10. Scholarships available. To download a brochure, go to www.emoregon.org.
Climate and Energy Resources:
The world's reliance on energy has enhanced technology and the way we live our lives. It also comes at a cost to God's planet. The nation's dependence on energy threatens the economy, public health, and security. We were put here to preserve and protect God's Creation and the precious natural resource. Learn more on what you can do by checking out our webpage.
Wwould Easter be without Easter bunnies? A lot better for rabbits! Every year, hundreds of thousands of rabbits are given as Easter gifts. Rabbit rescue organizations calculate that fewer than 10% of these Easter bunnies survive their first year -- and this doesn't include the unsold ones killed by the breeders, or take into account the animal misery caused by well-meaning ignorant new rabbit owners. Read more at www.rabbitwisememphis.org/easter.htm .
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
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Earth Day and World Water Day Resources Now Available!
The NCC Eco-Justice Program is pleased to release two new resources  for Earth Day (April 22nd) and World Water Day (March 22nd). The resource for World Water Day, titled "For I Was Thirsty", focuses on the growning global water crisis. For Earth Day, "Celebrating and Caring for God's Creation" looks at how Creation Care is at the heart of the Christian tradition. Click here to download the World Water Day resource, and here for the Earth Day resource. The Earth Day resource is also available in hard copy - to request yours, click here.
 7th Annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days
Join us at the 7th annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days, as we explore waysto bring about a world with “Enough for All Creation.” Learn about the connections between climate change, migration, and poverty in the U.S. and around the world. Come together with Christians from across the United States in the nation's capitol March 13-16 as we visit our representatives to share with them our concern for all Creation. Check out the Eco-Justice Track here, and register now! www.advocacydays.org.
Palm Sunday - Make social and environmental justice part of your congregation's celebration
Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem was accented by the jubilant waving of palm branches and is re-enacted each Palm Sunday. Harvesting palm products is an important source of supplemental income for many indigenous families and communities in Guatemala and Mexico. However, over-harvesting palm can threaten the livelihood of these communities as well as the forests where the palm plants thrive. This year order Eco-Palms for Palm Sunday 2009! To order your palms for this year visit this site. To read the article about Eco-friendly Palms Click Here.
Cleanliness and Godlines?
A better way to clean while protecting God's Creation
The National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Program is proud to announce the availability of “Cleanliness and Godliness: A Gathering Guide for Green Cleaning” and the “Cleanliness and Godliness Toolkit.” Both are available as free downloads.
 The “Cleanliness and Godliness Toolkit” offers an overview of chemicals to avoid, safe alternatives, and simple recipes for making inexpensive, safe, effective, and environmentally responsible cleaning products for any household task.“Cleanliness and Godliness: A Gathering Guide for Green Cleaning” is a step-by-step guide for hosting an adult education event in your church about safe alternative cleaning methods, materials, and recipes. The suggestions, checklist, and resources listed will enable interested individuals to offer an informative, solution-oriented session on reducing exposure to toxic household products. Click here to download, both are available free.
FREE VIDEO - God's Creations and Global Warming.
Recieve a free 20 minute video to help you understand the connections between our actions and the impact to God's Creation. This video is great for youth groups, bible studies, and women's organizations. Commit to watching it with friends or family and you'll recieve the video and discussion questions at no charge. Click here to order your free video.
Make Addressing Climate Change a Priority in 2009
Tell President Obama that Climate Change is a moral issue that demands immediate action. Click here to sign a letter encouraging President Obama to support climate legislation that protects God's people and God's creation.To read the full text of the letter, click here.
House Needs to Hear From People of Faith on Protecting Public Lands - Click here to contact them.
 About a month ago, we contacted you with an opportunity to speak for millions of acres of God's Creation, by contacting your Senators and expressing your support for the protection of vital public lands.. Thanks to more than 900 emails from people of faith, the Senate voted 73-21 in favor of these protections. Now that same opportunity is coming before the House of Representatives, and they also need to hear how important wilderness and public lands are to people of faith. Read more about God's land by clicking here.
2009 Fellowship Focuses on Global Climate Change and Poverty
The 2009 Eco-Justice fellowship training class, held in the summer of 2009, will focus on global climate change and poverty. This training class is essential for anyone engaged in the faith-based eco-justice movement and provides support for emerging practitioners engaged in global climate change work. Training is held in a retreat style format and is limited to 20 people. Applications to participate in the in this summer's training program are now being taken. For more information about the program and to review the application details please visit our website by clicking here, or contact Jordan Blevins.
Green Camp and Conference Centers
The National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Program and the Committee on Outdoor Ministries are inviting camp and conference centers across the country to sign a Green Camp and Conference Center Covenant. The covenant recognizes that camps and conference centers have a special responsibility to play in protecting God’s creation and maintaining places where people of faith come to experience God. The covenant can be read and signed by clicking here. To view a list of camps and their groups who have signed, click here.
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