NRS Job 12:7 “But ask the animals, and they will teach you; the birds of the air, and they will tell you; 8 ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you.

PRESBYTERIAN

Earth Day 2023 Presentation Recordings Now Available for Viewing & Sharing

Everyday Earth Day with The Rev. Dr. Patricia Tull- 

Presented at Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, KS on April 22, 2023
Recorded Livestream Available HERE

Saving the Planet: An Ethical Imperative Panel Discussion with Bill McKibben-

Presented at First Presbyterian Church in New York City, NY on April 16, 2023
Recorded Livestream Available HERE

Earth Care Packet from Presbytery of Santa Fe – CLICK HERE

The resource includes information about:
Assessing the current state of climate change in New Mexico and the Southwest;

Educating via resources (print and video) that tell pieces of the story, about hard realities but also
about realistic hope;

Connecting groups of climate change actors in the church, in the nation, in our state– not all of
them, but the ones we are comfortable suggesting. Many of these will also provide help as you
build connections locally–e.g. hosting an Earth Day event at your church.

Advocating through the legislative process, knowing what stands before our governing bodies,
where to find information, and how to invite our elected leaders to do the best for our space-
traveling home.

Action involving first-step actions you and your congregation can take to further your journey in
caring for the Earth and addressing Climate Change.

Other Resources include scripture and worship suggestions, significant quotes about climate
change, and six recommended children’s books.

If you’re looking for a way to start a conversation in your congregation about climate action, 2022 General Assembly’s decisions provide a GREAT opportunity!  Several overtures passed that encourage us all to move away from fossil fuels and advocate for policies that help us meet Paris targets and promote environmental justice.
To help you get started, Presbyterians for Carbon Dividends put together these tools:
The intent was to create tools people can adapt/adjust to connect with their individual churches or other audiences. You are free to make copies and edit as you like!

Considering our Treasure: A Reflection on Embracing God’s Economy Through guided learning, reflection, study, and action, individuals, Sunday School classes and Bible studies will identify responses to our everyday living that reflect God’s love for creation.

The Doctrine of Discovery: An Introductory Model for Adult Education is a three-Sunday class developed by PEC members at Church of Reconciliation in Chapel Hill, NC that uses videos and resources available on the web.

God’s Creation, Our Health: Taking Action Together on children’s health and the environment with particular focus on children in La Oroya, Peru. Click to download.

And the Leaves of the Tree Are for the Healing of the Nations.  Booklet and study guide.

Just Eating? Practicing Our Faith at the Table is a seven-session curriculum (middle school and adult versions) that explores the relationship between the way we eat and the way we live. The study uses scripture, prayer and stories from the local and global community.

Just Living helps individuals, couples and families practice faith in all aspects of daily life. The “little” decisions about what we buy, how we get places and ways we celebrate and live all add up and impact people and the planet. Download the Green Living guide and guides for seasons and celebrations, and water.

FossilFree PCUSA offers a 4-session and a condensed single session curriculum to help congregations understand the reasoning behind the strategy of fossil fuel divestment. It covers four topic areas: the Biblical and theological foundations for earth care, climate change basics and impacts, what we can do as individuals and congregations, and what our denomination should do going forward.

ECUMENICAL

The Eco-Justice Ministries Curriculum Review for all ages can help children, youth and adults to make the connection between faith and caring for creation. You can search by age group and number of sessions.

Lent 4.5 Christian Simplicity offers a seven-week faith formation program which inspires and informs Christian communities to use traditional Lenten disciplines of prayer, fasting and almsgiving to protect God’s creation, embrace Gospel justice and nurture spiritual fulfillment. Included are practical opportunities for people of faith to apply the values of Christian Simplicity to their everyday lives.

Operation Creation is a 5-session resource geared for elementary-aged children that can be used in Vacation Bible School or another setting.

The Northwest Earth Institute offers discussion course books on sustainable practices and creating transformative change in the community. Seeing Systems: Peace, Justice and Sustainability is written specifically for faith communities. This discussion course helps connect our spiritual values with a deeper appreciation for our relationships on Earth, and provides a framework to help faith communities put these values into practice.

Water All Around the World and Clean Water for All God’s Children. Two Vacation Bible School curriculums from Living Waters for the World are designed for K-5 children with a special section for including preschoolers. It includes printed materials, a music CD, and digital manual.

Solar Under the Sun Vacation Bible School curriculum is for K-5 children. Through Bible study, learning centers, and mission moments, children learn about the role of solar power as it gives energy, lights the earth, brings warmth, and promotes growth.

ADVANCED EDUCATION

Eco-Stewards is a one-week leadership program that shapes young adult leaders (ages 20–30) through place-based experiences that connect faith and the environment. Programs are held each summer at a different location.

The GreenFaith Fellowship Program is a comprehensive education and training program to prepare lay and ordained leaders from diverse religious traditions for religiously based environmental leadership. It offers religious leaders a unique opportunity for educational, spiritual and vocational growth and skill development in religious environmentalism.

McCormick Seminary’s Certificate in Environmental Ministry and Leadership is an interactive, cross-disciplinary approach to the faith-and-environment conversation. The goal is to equip religious leaders with tools to further sustainable and just practices in their contexts.