Call to address climate actions: Ring Out for Earth, Creation Care Pledge, and Creation Care resources

The Episcopal Church, through The Creation Care Covenant, calls for members, congregations, and dioceses to embark on addressing reconciliation to Earth and to others greatly impacted by our policies and personal choices through three pathways.

• Life-giving conservation: For God’s sake, we will adopt practical ways of reducing our climate impact and living more humbly and gently on Earth as individuals, households, congregations, institutions, and dioceses.
• Liberating advocacy: For God’s sake, standing alongside marginalized, vulnerable peoples, we will advocate and act to repair Creation and seek the liberation and flourishing of all people.
• Loving formation: For God’s sake, we will grow our love for the Earth and all of life through preaching, teaching, storytelling & prayer.

Learn more about the Creation Care Covenant.

Under the Episcopal Church Creation Care Ministry Program, climate care is embraced under Life-Giving Conservation.

Earth Day and Earth Week provides us with time to reflect upon Creation Care. The Climate Action Group presents some ways congregations and members can make a small but sustainable commitment to address change and reconciliation.

Upcoming Events

The Community of St John Baptist invites all congregations to join collectively across the Diocese to Ring Out for Earth on either Earth Day April 22 or the following Sunday April 29. Bells, prayers, or meditations for 427 seconds will bring awareness to the increasing level of CO2 at 427 parts per million. Churches are encouraged to reach out to other denominations in their community. Download the Ring Out for Earth Flyer.

St. Elizabeth’s Church in Ridgewood is sponsoring a Garden of Hope Spring Workday and Outdoor Creation Care Worship at The Community of St John Baptist on Sunday May, 18 from 1 – 5:30 PM. All are invited to attend to work and/or worship. The outdoor worship will start at 3 PM. Registration is required to plan for refreshments and to coordinate a light meal. Find out more and register online.

Call to Action for Congregations and Members

The Climate Action Group calls congregations and members to collectively take the Creation Care Pledge and to use the Church Carbon Tracker Tool. Groups can facilitate forum discussions using the Pledge Reflections with Scripture Guide.

The Climate Action Group calls for individuals and families to explore, engage and sustain daily practices that help to mitigate by using the Sustainable Climate Change Action Tools.

The Climate Action Group invites Sunday School and Vacation Bible School leaders to explore Youth Formation Programs focused on Climate Change using 30 Day of Climate Action Lessons and Climate Justice Curriculum for Youth.

The Climate Action Group calls for Advocacy as presented by The Office of Government Relations. Contact Your Representatives and Explore Environmental Advocacy Resources.

Resources to Explore

The Commission on Justice, Peace, and Racial Reconciliation has posted Resources to Address Climate Change.

The Episcopal Church has endorsed several Creation Care Programs which offer many resources and pathways where churches, families, and individuals can act to make a difference. See Partner Organizations – The Episcopal Church.

The Episcopal Church is a founding member of One Home One Future. OHOF showcases The Community of St John Baptist’s Garden of Hope. OHOF is looking for congregations to Share Good News Stories and ideas. Through the OHOF interfaith effort, Seven Pathways Towards Stewardship and Reconciliation are presented.

Prayer for Reconciliation & Stewardship

Almighty God, in giving us dominion over things on earth, you made us fellow workers in your creation: Give us wisdom and reverence so to use the resources of nature, that no one may suffer from our abuse of them, and that generations yet to come may continue to praise you for your bounty; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. – BCP p. 827.