Resources for Congregations Online Resources | Printed Resources | Spanish Resources Worship Materials Ecological Prayers and Liturgies by the Rev'd Dr. Garry Deverell A sampling of many ecological prayers written by Rev'd Dr. Garry Deverell. Worship with the world: Water Church World Service supports impoverished peoples’ aspirations for a better life in over 80 countries. The deepest hopes of those women and men find powerful expression in their prayers for justice, peace, community. Worship with the World gathers a sampling of their voices that we might join with them in prayerful communion and common commitment. Use/adapt the prayers, bulletin insert, and suggested service for your personal reflection, meetings, or congregational worship. Learning & Teaching Awakening to God's Call to Earthkeeping This 50-page resource (pdf) includes both a Leader Guide and participant materials for use in faith-based small group context: adult or older youth Sunday school, Christian Education classes, women’s circles, men’s groups, congregational “Green Team,” or in a retreat setting. Members of any Christian denomination would be able to use it, with only slight modification (if desired) to incorporate materials from their own faith tradition. This resource is downloadable at no cost from the ELCA website. Resources for preaching on Genesis 1 Eco-Justice Ministries has prepared an extensive set of resources to help pastors do careful exegesis on the text, and find faithful and creative ways to address the story in worship. Evangelical Environmental Network Booklet on Endangered Creatures Taking care of endangered species engenders heated debate. Do animals come before humans? Is it worth the expense? Should government be involved? However, biblical people need to think biblically about these issues? How can Scripture inform our discussion? What would be a biblical response to the endangered species debate? What might God think of endangered species? Here are some guidelines for reflection on how we might follow Christ and respond with godliness to the needs of his creatures. The greening of religion Thirty million evangelicals in the US have recently committed themselves to taking greater care of God's creation - and they aren't the only believers making sustainability part of religious practice. Green Religion: A Shepherd Protects His Own Backyard But of respect for the land, a West Virginia librarian takes on mining companies—in the name of Jesus Christ. Reflections on Water Think of all the ways you use water in one day. We depend on water for cleansing everything, and for nourishment, cooking, recreation and aesthetic pleasures. Add up the ways societies use water; food services, agriculture, industrial, transportation, religious rituals, entertainment, imagery in art, or vacation spots. Our relationship to water is daily, steady, and multiple. Heather Eaton explores four dimensions of water, beyond our use of it. Powering the Future Where on Earth can our energy-hungry society turn to replace oil, coal, and natural gas? An overview by National Geographic. Youth Curriculum Operation Creation Offered by New Community Project, written for elementary school youth Vacation Bible School. Congregational Lifestyle Return to the Garden:The Disciples Guide to Organizing Community Gardens The vision of Return to the Garden is to train Disciples how to address hunger relief, food security, and Earth stewardship through community gardening. A Catechism of Creation: An Episcopal Understanding Through Christ all things were made. “A Catechism of Creation” helps us to think about what that means. It is written in question-and-answer format, like the Prayer Book’s Catechism (pp. 843-862). Part I builds upon the Bible’s basic doctrine of creation. Part II outlines the modern scientific worldview, including the Big Bang and the evolution of life. Part III presents the biblical roots for environmental care. Each section’s bibliography encourages further study of science, technology and Christian faith. Policy & Advocacy 2006 Environmental Budget: "Where Your Treasure Is, There Your Heart Is" Few of us volunteer to be on the budget committees of our local churches, but whether or not it is our local church, our family budget, or the national budget, where we spend our money says a lot about our priorities. Global Warming Listserve This list is established in response to the 2004 Study/Action Issue on the Threat of Global Warming. Its purpose is to help UUs share technical information about the causes and implications of global warming so we can develop appropriate strategies for individuals and congregations to combat its dangers.