Lutherans Restoring Creation (“LRC”) is working to collaborate with ELCA synods in bringing care for creation into the full life of the church.
Might your synod be interested? There are already several synods with active expressions of this ministry (see map here). For a sample Covenant with Creation for Synods, review this template and let us know who in your synod wants to act as a liaison: Template: Synod Covenant with Creation.
One way to get this started, is to ask that your Church Council propose a resolution for your upcoming assembly to vote on.* Contact your synod’s office to find out the process and timeline for proposing resolutions.
* In 2023: 2 more synods have officially voted to a add Creation Care as a specific ministry focus:
Northwestern Minnesota
Southwestern Washington Synod
Northeastern Iowa Synod – Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Goals
(Congregations also have a Covenant with Creation form and kit – see here and share!)
A partnership between LRC and a synod is a mutual relationship of action and learning.
Here are the things LRC may be able to contribute to the life of a synod:
- Provide an overall structure and program of resources for greening the synod—worship, education, property, personal discipleship, and commitment to public ministry.
- Offer training workshops in care for creation goals and strategies (for synodical and congregational leaders) and make available programmatic resources to bring care for creation into the life and mission of congregations and institutions in the synod.
- Provide a network of relationships between and among synods to share ideas and resources through an interactive website and social media outlets.
- Recommend video and book resources and to provide access to a speakers bureau.
- Offer a process and program of registration that would suggest some goals toward which to work and that would provide support over time to bring care for creation into the full identity and mission of the synod.
- Respond positively to requests for new resources, training, and consultation.
Here are some things ELCA synods can contribute to the partnership:
- Provide continuing education events for professional leadership in your synod. This may take the form of conferences, lectures, workshops, and retreats.
- Participate actively in LRC training events by sending representatives for training and agree to hold an eco-faith event in your synod.
- Bring resources and training in creation-care and environmental-justice ministry to congregations within your synod. This can take a variety of forms: courses, forums, workshops, public lectures.
- Encourage cooperative creation-care efforts in synodical clusters and local communities—Lutheran, ecumenical, and interfaith.
- Model creation-care at the synod offices and in synodical events. Promote creation-care among the committees and task forces of the synod.
- Share the actions, events, projects, and resources in your synod with other synods in the LRC network. Consult the reports of other synods as a way to enhance your ministry.
We invite you to develop some innovative ways to participate in LRC and creative ways to promote it among all segments of the ELCA. Encourage pastors and congregations to adopt Lutherans Restoring Creation. As opportunities arise, promote Lutherans Restoring Creation in the wider church.