ELCA members have the opportunity to be public witnesses through the process of submitting, educating fellow members, and eventually passing synod resolutions. Some of these public statements and declarations of change also move along to be a Memorial to be passed by the entire Church-wide body which meets every three years. For details about your local submission requirements contact your synod office.
We have a history of creation care-related ELCA synod resolutions and related materials. Please contact us ASAP if you are preparing a draft or see something that we are missing! Many of these are supported by important footnotes and talking points per each topic area:
Recent resolutions:
LRC Seeks Collaboration with ELCA Synods
Lutherans Restoring Creation ("LRC") is working to collaborate with ELCA synods in bringing care for creation into the full life ...
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Actions for a Just Transition to a Healthier Climate for All
ELCA commits to being a role model in urgent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions! Congratulations to all the green teams, ...
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Eco-Resources for Your Synod Gatherings
What can YOU do to get congregations in your area thinking about Caring for Creation as part of church? 1 ...
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What Do We Know About Carbon Pricing and How is it Part of a Just Transition?
We are grateful for the work of Faith Action Team with Citizens' Climate Lobby and eager to share that a ...
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Carbon Fee (and Dividend) Resolution Passed at Churchwide (2019)
The following Synod Resolution was passed by the SC Synod of Wisconsin and passed at Churchwide Assembly in 2019. See ...
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How Do We Truly Commit to the Earth Charter?
During the 2019 Churchwide Assembly the ELCA voted to officially sign onto the principals of the Earth Charter. How does ...
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Synod Resolutions: Divestment from Fossil Fuels
Read more about the ELCA's national commitment to invest responsibly made at the 2016 Churchwide Assembly here. Below are more ...
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Advocating and Acting for Reducing Greenhouse Gases (Call-8/17/21)
A Call to Advocate and Act for the Reduction of Greenhouse Gases for the Health of All Thanks to Pastor Jonathan ...
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Resolution on Caring for Creation: North/West Lower MI Synod in Assembly 2004
WHEREAS, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America adopted the social statement “Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope, and Justice” by a ...
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Central States Synod Assembly Resolution Calls for “Green Action” (2017)
At the 2017 Synod Assembly in Kansas City, voting members adopted a resolution that encourages "its leaders and congregations to ...
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2016 Churchwide Assembly Resolution Urging Stewardship of the Gift of Water
Noting "the many biblical themes of renewal and liberation that water affords," and the importance of watersheds for environmental justice and creation ...
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Motion C: Resolution Urging Stewardship of the Gift of Water
2016 Churchwide Assembly ASSEMBLY ACTION CA16.05.24 To adopt Motion C. WHEREAS, Holy Scripture reminds us that “the Holy Habitation of ...
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ELCA Churchwide Pledges to Move Towards a Sustainable Energy Future
August 13th, after days of conversation, discernment and prayer the 2016 churchwide voting assembly voted to pass the Memorial: Towards a Responsible ...
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Synod Resolutions: Eco-Reformation (2015 and 2016)
Memorial on Eco-Reformation in the Context of Climate Change Northwest Synod of Wisconsin Approved May 2016 Memorial & Resolution for ...
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2017 Synod Assemblies Pass More Eco-Justice Resolutions!
South Central Wisconsin passed their Carbon Fee & Dividend Resolution! MD/DE Synod Assembly for approving a Resolution on Ecological Justice (read here). And Central States passed ...
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Sample resolutions to edit and submit at your next synod assembly
Carbon Pricing & Dividend Sample Resolutions & Talking Points/Issues Sample Transition to Clean, Renewable Energy Resolution Sample Fossil Fuels Divestment ...
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Upper Susquehanna PA Synod Eco-Reformation 2015
Memorial on Eco-Reformation in the Context of Climate Change WHEREAS, 2017 will mark observances of the 500th anniversary of the ...
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NorthEastern Iowa’s Eco-Reformation (2015)
Submitted/Approved at the June 2015 Northeastern Iowa's Synod Assembly: Eco-Reformation in the Context of the Northeastern Iowa Synod WHEREAS, in ...
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Synod Resolutions: Caring for Creation – general
Resolution on Caring for Creation North/West Lower MI Synod Assembly Approved May 14-16, 2004 Resolution on Environmental Stewardship Southeastern Minnesota ...
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New England Synod’s Eco-Reformation
Resolution on Eco-Reformation WHEREAS, 2017 will mark observances of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, which addressed fundamental threats to ...
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Eco-Reformation in the Context of Climate Change
Eastern Washington-Idaho Synod Assembly 2015 Resolution 1 Memorial on Eco-Reformation in the Context of Climate Change WHEREAS, 2017 will mark ...
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Eastern WA/ID Synod Accepts Eco-Reformation Work
Congratulations to the assembly and team which brought forth a Memorial and Resolution to support the focus on ecological integrity ...
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Northern Illinois Synod Resolution to Become a “Green Synod” (2008)
WHEREAS, God’s first commandments to humanity are that we care for and take care of God’s good creation (Gen. 1:28 ...
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Metro New York Resolution: Establishing an Environmental Stewardship Committee (2009)
Submitted by the Tappan Zee Conference, St. Luke’s (New Rochelle), St. John’s (Mamaroneck), Our Redeemer (Chappaqua), Chapel of Christ (Yonkers), ...
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Southeastern Minnesota Environmental Stewardship Resolution (2009)
Resolution 2009 - 03: Environmental Stewardship 1 WHEREAS, the ELCA adopted the “Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope and Justice” Social ...
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Metro NY Resolution 2015 Release: Fossil Fuel Divestment
NYC-AREA LUTHERANS RESOLVE TO DIVEST FROM FOSSIL FUELS CULMINATION OF EFFORTS BEGUN SHORTLY AFTER LAST YEAR'S PEOPLE'S CLIMATE MARCH June ...
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Oregon Synod Divestment Resolution (2013)
St. Luke Fossil Fuel Divestment Resolution passes at Oregon Synod meeting On Saturday, May 18th, 2013, the St. Luke Fossil ...
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New England Synod’s Bishop Hazelwood Connects with Catholics over Climate (and other) Changes
On the heels of the Pope's Encyclical encouraging caring for our common home, two religious leaders in New England came ...
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Synod Resolutions: Synod Actions
Resolution to become an LRC Synod Central States Synod Approved June 2015 Resolution to become a Green Synod Northern Illinois ...
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Memorial for Transition to Clean, Renewable Energy; Upper Susquenanna Synod Assembly (2015)
WHEREAS, God created heaven and earth and everything therein and proclaimed it good (Gen 1:1ff); and God has entrusted humankind ...
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