Issue-Based Advocacy » Food/Farming/Land Use

close of of hands planting seeds into soil

The items below are shared “at random.” We recommend using the search bar to find specific items, or “refreshing” the page to bring up a new assortment!

Sunday July 10-16 in Year B (Mundahl15)

Sunday July 10-16 in Year B (Mundahl15)

Faithfulness Will Spring Up from the Ground - Tom Mundahl reflects on God's shalom trumping "royal theologies." Care for Creation Commentary ...
Big Hill Farm at Gustavus Adolphus College

Big Hill Farm at Gustavus Adolphus College

Big Hill Farm is a student-managed farm that values local food production and sustainable agricultural practices. Each summer, student leaders ...
God in Forests: Who is Jesus for Chipmunks?

God in Forests: Who is Jesus for Chipmunks?

A Service In and For the Forests - Feel free to share this worship service or get ideas - we ...
Pathways to Pollination

Pathways to Pollination

In March of 2023, ELCA churches across Northeastern Minnesota's EcoFaith Network shared inspiration and resources regarding their teams' exciting new ...
Youth Gather and We All Grow!

Youth Gather and We All Grow!

Back in the summer of 2018 hundreds of youth and group leaders visited our Lutherans Restoring Creation space in the ...
Water discipleship tool for Congregations!

Water discipleship tool for Congregations!

Vermont Lutheran Church partners with Interfaith Power & Light to Share the Various Ways to Revere Water: In 2018, Vermont ...
Just Transitions Conversation (March 2021)

Just Transitions Conversation (March 2021)

Listen in to our discussion with Ruth Ivory-Moore, ELCA’s Program Director, Environment and Corporate Social Responsibility Focus: Just Transitions What ...
Microscopic - Lost in Wonder, Love, and Praise

Microscopic – Lost in Wonder, Love, and Praise

Micro-Creation Service Bulletin - Click here - free to share! (wonderful readings, music, etc.) Homily by Pastor Susan Henry, House ...
Within Limits: Remember the Sabbath

Within Limits: Remember the Sabbath

Jim Martin-Schramm Luther College Chapel October 7, 2011 Exodus 23:10-12 (or 31:12-17) Within Limits: Remember the Sabbath Our reading this ...
First Sunday in Lent in Year A (Mundahl17)

First Sunday in Lent in Year A (Mundahl17)

The Way of Ecojustice in a Dangerous Time - Tom Mundahl reflects on our place in the world. Care for ...
Sunday August 21 - 27 in Year C (Carr22)

Sunday August 21 – 27 in Year C (Carr22)

To Climate Change Deniers and Climate Despairers - Amy Carr reflects on variable gospel notes to the hard of heart ...
Sunday November 13-19 in Year A (Ormseth11)

Sunday November 13-19 in Year A (Ormseth11)

Claiming the Future as Precious Gifts of People and Land - Dennis Ormseth reflects on acting boldly for restoration and healing ...
Justified by Land and Faith

Justified by Land and Faith

Christian Faith and Environmental Ethics: Aldo Leopold's Sand County Almanac and Luther's Freedom of A Christian A timeless reflection shared ...
Living the Change: A Tool Connected to Many Faiths

Living the Change: A Tool Connected to Many Faiths

GreenFaith has helped pull together leaders from various religions across the globe to recognize our common concern for the planet ...
Sunday August 28 - September 3 in Year B (Mundahl12)

Sunday August 28 – September 3 in Year B (Mundahl12)

Earth, Sky, and Water - Tom Mundahl reflects on "the commons" we all share. Care for Creation Commentary on the Common ...
Sunday August 28 - September 3 in Year B (Carr21)

Sunday August 28 – September 3 in Year B (Carr21)

Good Laws or Pure Persons? - Amy Carr reflects on the nature of pollution. Care for Creation Commentary on the ...
Seventh Sunday of Easter in Year B (Ormseth18)

Seventh Sunday of Easter in Year B (Ormseth18)

Everything Is Changed - Dennis Ormseth reflects on reorientation of the community to God's creation. Care for Creation Commentary on the ...
An Earth Day Action with Results:

An Earth Day Action with Results:

*On June 28, 2017 there was a follow-up to this meeting with Sen. Elizabeth Warren - read here* Working their ...
ELCA Advocacy Updates

ELCA Advocacy Updates

The National ELCA Office of Advocacy offers updates from what's going on in our capital and news from various affiliate ...
Passion Sunday and Holy Week in Year B (Ormseth12)

Passion Sunday and Holy Week in Year B (Ormseth12)

The Transformation of All Life - Dennis Ormseth reflects on the reorientation of creation to its sacred center. Care for Creation ...
Growing a garden church from food scraps and compost

Growing a garden church from food scraps and compost

We turned an empty lot in L.A. into an edible sanctuary. by Anna Woofenden (shared from Christian Century magazine) When I moved ...
Sunday July 3 - 9 in Year C (Carr19)

Sunday July 3 – 9 in Year C (Carr19)

We Reap What We Sow  – Amy Carr reflects on forging just relations for both land and people. Care for Creation ...
Augsburg, Gettysburg, and Luther Colleges Strive to Reduce Food Waste While Helping the Community

Augsburg, Gettysburg, and Luther Colleges Strive to Reduce Food Waste While Helping the Community

Augsburg College and Gettysburg College are participants in The Campus Kitchens Project. As part of this project, volunteers from these two colleges use unused food ...
Nature-Based Solutions

Nature-Based Solutions

This interview led by ELCA's Sustainability Associate, Adele Bodog, follows Donna Pellegrin Permaculture design certificate holder, who uses her certification to conduct ...
Second Sunday of Lent in Year B (Mundahl18)

Second Sunday of Lent in Year B (Mundahl18)

Turning Around and Rethinking the "Royal Theology" of Our Time - Tom Mundahl reflects on the appeal of kingdom, power, ...
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany in Year A (Mundahl14)

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany in Year A (Mundahl14)

We Are Epiphany Communities - Tom Mundahl reflects on being salt for the Earth and bearing light for the world ...
Sunday July 31 - August 6 in Year A (Retzlaff23)

Sunday July 31 – August 6 in Year A (Retzlaff23)

A Prayer in the Anthropocene - Carmen Retzlaff reflects on food scarcity and food sovereignty. Care for Creation Commentary on ...
Native Land Acknowledgment: Processes to Heal, Steps to Restore

Native Land Acknowledgment: Processes to Heal, Steps to Restore

As we live, work, and worship in the land that is now called the United States, Lutherans Restoring Creation recognizes ...
Food - Faith - Farming

Food – Faith – Farming

Since there are so many members of our ELCA community who live in agricultural areas and we all depend on ...
St. Olaf Natural Lands Play an Important Role in Conservation Efforts for Native Species

St. Olaf Natural Lands Play an Important Role in Conservation Efforts for Native Species

A story in the Star Tribune newspaper highlights how St. Olaf College's 350 acres of natural lands not only serve ...
Sunday October 23-29 in Year B (Carr21)

Sunday October 23-29 in Year B (Carr21)

Do You See What I See? - Amy Carr reflects on walking without stumbling along waterways, roadsides, and temple byways ...
Christ the King Sunday in Year A (Ormseth11)

Christ the King Sunday in Year A (Ormseth11)

We Are the People of God's Pasture! - Dennis Ormseth reflects on the inclusion of land and water in God's reign ...
Indigenous Knowledge and Rights (video playlist)

Indigenous Knowledge and Rights (video playlist)

https://www.youtube.com/embed?listType=playlist&list=PLFPMTinJ7FKkZ8zqXIgZatHrJW0whr8-V&layout=gallery ...
Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston

Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston

This regional organization shares the experts in their midst with the wider audience online across the globe. Check out the ...
Sunday July 31 - August 6 in Year B (Mundahl15)

Sunday July 31 – August 6 in Year B (Mundahl15)

The Bread of Christ Is Life, and All of Life Is Communion. - Tom Mundahl reflects on the divine energy ...
First Sunday in Lent in Year A (Ormseth14)

First Sunday in Lent in Year A (Ormseth14)

Lent Calls Us to Serve the Flourishing of Creation - Dennis Ormseth reflects on the temptation of Jesus and what ...
Planning and Carrying Out Green Events

Planning and Carrying Out Green Events

Guidelines for Ecologically Responsible Events Prepared by Pilgrims Caring for Creation Pilgrim Lutheran Church, St. Paul, MN in response to ...
Second Sunday in Lent in Year C (Ormseth16)

Second Sunday in Lent in Year C (Ormseth16)

Creational Blessing – Dennis Ormseth reflects on resisting domination and living into God's promises. Care for Creation Commentary on the ...
First Sunday of Advent in Year A (Andrews22)

First Sunday of Advent in Year A (Andrews22)

God's Ways - Liv Larson Andrews reflects on peace, darkness, and time. Care for Creation Commentary on the Revised Common ...
Second Sunday in Lent in Year A (Mundahl17)

Second Sunday in Lent in Year A (Mundahl17)

Living in Promises and Hope - Tom Mundahl reflects on land and the struggle to "till (serve) and keep" it ...
Featured School: Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA

Featured School: Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA

Gettysburg College has been pursuing sustainable decision making for over three decades. As the world's environmental issues grow more and ...
Tool Kit on Climate Change Connections

Tool Kit on Climate Change Connections

Take yourself, your class, or your congregation on a journey that explores the intersections between climate change and hunger with ...
Carol Soderholm

Carol Soderholm

ELCA Pastor 36 years, now full time prairie steward which basically means seed planter and weed puller.  🙂 (Read Living ...
Rural and Small Town Conversations re: Creation Care

Rural and Small Town Conversations re: Creation Care

On June 26, 2022 our Connections Call considered how conversations about Creation Care in Rural & Small Town America are ...
Creation Care Ministry at Christ the King

Creation Care Ministry at Christ the King

Creation Care Ministry at Christ the King ...
Intro Webinar for Congregations Making a Covenant with Creation

Intro Webinar for Congregations Making a Covenant with Creation

"Creation Care" is more than just "being green."  Integrating a lens of eco-justice is not only critical in order to ...
Sixth Sunday after Epiphany in Year A (Mundahl14)

Sixth Sunday after Epiphany in Year A (Mundahl14)

Our Help Is in the Name of the LORD  - Tom Mundahl reflects on trusting in the One who made ...
Doctrine of Discovery's Role in Climate Injustice

Doctrine of Discovery’s Role in Climate Injustice

The ELCA has been working to repudiate the Doctrine of Discovery.  As individuals and institutions continue to reconcile and repair ...
Sunday August 14-20 in Year A (Ormseth11)

Sunday August 14-20 in Year A (Ormseth11)

In Jesus, Exceptionalist Ideology Falls Away - Dennis Ormseth  reflects on a global scope for the vision of well-being. Care ...
Fifth Sunday in Lent in Year C (Ormseth16)

Fifth Sunday in Lent in Year C (Ormseth16)

Overcoming Domination – Dennis Ormseth reflects on the "new thing" God is doing. Care for Creation Commentary on the Revised Common ...
Creation-themed monthly video devotion: Trees

Creation-themed monthly video devotion: Trees

The Creation Care Team of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Port Angeles, WA produces a monthly creation-themed video devotion. This month's ...
Evangelical Lutheran leaders argue for Ohio energy efficiency and renewable energy

Evangelical Lutheran leaders argue for Ohio energy efficiency and renewable energy

The president of a major Lutheran seminary and one of the three bishops overseeing the 550 Ohio congregations of the ...
Third Sunday of Easter in Year A (Meyer23)

Third Sunday of Easter in Year A (Meyer23)

From Dust 'Til Dawn - Emily Meyer retraces the Lenten journey - from cosmic stardust to the dusty road to ...
Working their Beliefs into the Public Sphere 

Working their Beliefs into the Public Sphere 

On Earth Day 2016, a small group of people of faith visited Massachusetts' Senator Ed Markey's office in Boston to ...
Connections Call: How Church Soil Can Feed the Community

Connections Call: How Church Soil Can Feed the Community

This call (video below) happened on May 18, 2021 Focus: How Church Soil Can Feed the Community We were excited ...
Seventh Sunday after Epiphany in Year A (Ormseth17)

Seventh Sunday after Epiphany in Year A (Ormseth17)

Rejecting the Paradigm of Domination - Dennis Ormseth reflects on what it means to bring an "image of God" to ...
Upper Susquehanna Synod Assembly Lutherans Call for Repeal of “Fracking Loopholes” (2014)

Upper Susquehanna Synod Assembly Lutherans Call for Repeal of “Fracking Loopholes” (2014)

On the recommendation of a bipartisan task group, the Upper Susquehanna Synod Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America ...
Vegetable Garden at Trinity Lutheran Church (Ft. Collins, CO)

Vegetable Garden at Trinity Lutheran Church (Ft. Collins, CO)

Trinity Lutheran Church volunteers have maintained a vegetable garden at its location for 8 years. More recently, volunteers from the ...
Third Sunday after Epiphany in Year C (Ormseth13)

Third Sunday after Epiphany in Year C (Ormseth13)

Justice and Renewal for Humans, Other Creatures, and the Land - Dennis Ormseth reflects on the biblical Year of Jubilee authorizing ...
Skip the Grid

Skip the Grid

Skip the Grid is an initiative focused on bringing solar power to health care systems and other critical infrastructure in West Africa. Most clinics and many ...
Eco-Reformation & Environmental Justice: In Word & Deed

Eco-Reformation & Environmental Justice: In Word & Deed

The Grace Gathering ran parallel to the 2016 Churchwide Voting Assembly in New Orleans. The goal in gathering was to ...
Connections Call: What is Our Response?

Connections Call: What is Our Response?

As part of our Connections Calls, we get to hear feedback from representatives who work in various expressions of the ...
Cal Lutheran hosts a talk to explore food, climate change link

Cal Lutheran hosts a talk to explore food, climate change link

On Thursday, March 31st, California Lutheran University plans to host a talk to explore the link between food and climate ...
Interview with Bishop Eaton

Interview with Bishop Eaton

Bishop Elizabeth Eaton offered the sermon for our Good Shepherd Sunday service in celebration of Earth Day 2021.  As the ...
Connections Calls: Ways of Knowing - Western Science, Indigenous Knowledge & Christian Faith

Connections Calls: Ways of Knowing – Western Science, Indigenous Knowledge & Christian Faith

Connections Call from Wednesday, June 23, 2021 Focus: Western Science, Indigenous Knowledge, and Christian Faith: How Can Various Ways of Knowing ...
Perspectives on Animals as Food

Perspectives on Animals as Food

July 2021 Connections Call Recording & Related Resources: Hear as Sarah & Brandon Bowers describe their methods of raising animals ...
Sunday October 16-22 in Year B (Utphall18)

Sunday October 16-22 in Year B (Utphall18)

Restoring Right Relationship - Nick Utphall reflects on breaking the perpetual cycle of scapegoats and violence. Care for Creation Commentary on the ...
Actions Speak Loudly!

Actions Speak Loudly!

Consider all the ways your church interacts with God's Good Creation. Celebrate (and commit to more) by using this form ...
Updates from ELCA Advocacy re: Environment/Energy

Updates from ELCA Advocacy re: Environment/Energy

May-June Advocacy Update (thanks to Christine Moffett, Witness in Society | Washington D.C. - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America  )  Debt Ceiling Deal- ...
Fifth Sunday in Lent in Year A (Mundahl17)

Fifth Sunday in Lent in Year A (Mundahl17)

Can These Bones Live? - Tom Mundahl reflects on the cost of transitioning to a creation-normed economy ...
The Land is Not Empty: Following Jesus in Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery (Herald Press, 2021)

The Land is Not Empty: Following Jesus in Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery (Herald Press, 2021)

White settlers saw land for the taking. They failed to consider the perspective of the people already here. In The ...
Sunday July 17-23 in Year B (Mundahl15)

Sunday July 17-23 in Year B (Mundahl15)

Shepherds and Children - Tom Mundahl reflects on restoring a healing relationship with the natural world. Care for Creation Commentary ...
Extended Growing Season at Concordia Moorhead (2015)

Extended Growing Season at Concordia Moorhead (2015)

Concordia has extended their growing season through the installation of a high tunnel, or hoop house, warmed by a solar ...
Sunday October 9-15 in Year B (Ormseth12)

Sunday October 9-15 in Year B (Ormseth12)

Impossible for Humans but Possible by God's Grace - Dennis Ormseth reflects on Jesus calling people to relinquish wealth for others ...
Congregation celebrates "green graduation," invites wider community (2017)

Congregation celebrates “green graduation,” invites wider community (2017)

Members of LCI gather on the steps of the California Capitol to join California Interfaith Power and Light’s Lobby Day ...
Christ the King Edible Food Forest (West Chester, OH)

Christ the King Edible Food Forest (West Chester, OH)

Thanks to Donna Pellegrin from Christ the King Church in West Chester OH for shepherding and sharing this incredible work:  ...
Sunday July 10 - 16 in Year C (Litman-Koon22)

Sunday July 10 – 16 in Year C (Litman-Koon22)

The Fruits Among Us – Kris Litman-Koon ponders how relationships – divine, human, and ecological – are a common theme ...
Baptism of Our Lord in Year A (Mundahl14)

Baptism of Our Lord in Year A (Mundahl14)

Gentle Justice for People and Creation - Tom Mundahl reflects on baptism and obedience. Care for Creation Commentary on the ...
Pacific Lutheran University Community Garden

Pacific Lutheran University Community Garden

The PLU Community Garden is completely run by students with support from PLU staff. The Garden is dedicated to adding ...
Fourth Sunday in Lent in Year C (Ormseth16)

Fourth Sunday in Lent in Year C (Ormseth16)

New Creation! – Dennis Ormseth reflects on the promise that comes from the very heart of God. Care for Creation Commentary ...
Gettysburg Campus Kitchen Continues to Cook Up Great Food for a Great Cause

Gettysburg Campus Kitchen Continues to Cook Up Great Food for a Great Cause

Gettysburg College opened its doors in November 2007 as the first Campus Kitchen in Pennsylvania! The project was initiated by ...
Everyone Must Eat: Food, Sustainability, and Ministry

Everyone Must Eat: Food, Sustainability, and Ministry

by Mark L. Yackel-Juleen (Author) Rural contexts are often over-looked, treated as "flyover land." But because everyone must eat, rural communities and ...
Religious Community Sends Letter to Trump Transition Team

Religious Community Sends Letter to Trump Transition Team

A coalition of 32 faith organizations, including the ELCA, sent a letter on January 11 to President-elect Donald Trump's transition ...
Second Sunday after Epiphany in Year C (Martin22)

Second Sunday after Epiphany in Year C (Martin22)

Grace Is Wet - Tom Martin reflects on how water pervades, undergrids, and provides the medium for all life, both ...
Sunday July 10-16 in Year B (Ormseth12)

Sunday July 10-16 in Year B (Ormseth12)

The Whole of Inter-Related Creation - Dennis Ormseth reflects on the meals of Jesus overcoming our "reconciliation deficit disorder." Care ...
Sixth Sunday after Epiphany in Year A (Ormseth17)

Sixth Sunday after Epiphany in Year A (Ormseth17)

Choosing Life - Dennis Ormseth reflects on the whole creation being aware of how people choose. Care for Creation Commentary ...
Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois practices sustainability in Dining Services

Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois practices sustainability in Dining Services

Augustana College: Rock Island, Illinois is promoting sustainability via their sourcing and disposing of food. The college's "Farm2Fork" Program invests ...
Sunday July 10-16 in Year A (Mundahl23)

Sunday July 10-16 in Year A (Mundahl23)

A Time of Blessing? – Tom Mundahl reflects on entering into the experience of negation with hope. Care for Creation ...
Winter Sowing with the Community

Winter Sowing with the Community

Thanks to Donna Pellegerin for submitting this Good Green News! At Christ the King Lutheran Church (CtK) in West Chester, ...
Luther College and Raptor Resource Project Build Banding Station (2017)

Luther College and Raptor Resource Project Build Banding Station (2017)

A grant from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources allowed Luther College and the Decorah Raptor Resource Project to build ...
Sunday July 17-23 in Year A (Ormseth11)

Sunday July 17-23 in Year A (Ormseth11)

Desist from Ecological Destruction, NOW! - Dennis Ormseth  reflects on the ecological integrity of all things. Care for Creation Commentary on ...
Sunday June 12-18 in Year B (Ormseth12)

Sunday June 12-18 in Year B (Ormseth12)

A New and Restorative Ordering of Life - Dennis Ormseth reflects on the kingdom of God and the great ecology ...
Second Sunday in Lent in Year C (Saler13)

Second Sunday in Lent in Year C (Saler13)

Of Land and Heaven – Robert Saler reflects on where our citizenship lies. Care for Creation Commentary on the Revised Common ...