World Council of Churches: Decade of Climate of Justice
The World Council of Churches invites all to an Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice Action. Lutherans Restoring Creation encouraged our network to bring a Synod Resolution to your congregation’s annual meeting, to go to synod assemblies and synod councils, urging expanded ELCA participation in the WCC Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice Action. Our model resolution […]
What are “NDC’s” and what does the US owe?
As we head into COP29, it’s important that we understand how the USA contributes to our global greenhouse gases causing climate change. Every 5 years, each country at COP29 (UN Conference of Parties) sets a goal for reducing emissions in accordance with the Paris Agreement. This goal is called a “Nationally Determined Contribution” or NDC. […]
One Home One Future, an important partnership
Join Lutherans Restoring Creation and other denominations, congregations, multi-faith organizations, and individuals across the nation in joining One Home One Future. One Home One Future is a seven year, multifaith campaign that educates, activates, and supports clergy, congregants, youth, and all spiritual people in meaningful and just climate solutions. Lutherans Restoring Creation know how isolating […]
Updates from ELCA Advocacy re: Environment/Energy
Coffee with Christine: Things are changing quickly for Environmental Policy with the current administration. Because rapid changes are difficult to communicate through website and newsletter changes, we are hosting a monthly chat with Christine Moffett, Program Director for Environment and Energy Policy with the Witness in Society team in DC. Bring your questions! REGISTER HERE! (bit.ly/coffee-christine) Advocacy […]
Who Are the People in your “Neighborhood”?
Connections Call conversation from October 26, 2021 about all the people in our web of creation care. Listen in to find out more about the host of helpers among us: Fellow Green Shepherds Creation Care Ambassadors Creation Care Coaches Community Organizers as trained via Organizing for Mission network Our past two Connections Calls have highlighted […]
A Spectrum of Tools to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Call-9/28/21)
What tools can churches and individual members bring to the table to achieve 50% Reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2030? See Chat Log HERE Also see materials and ideas shared during the August 17th Connections Call (click here). Thanks to our speakers: Jim Martin-Schramm — Jim’s Slide Deck Jonathan Barker Lisa Brenskelle NEXT STEPS: […]
What Can We Do?
AFFIRM: Personally, with your church council, or entire synod, review our ELCA’s 1993 call to action and commit to engaging in steps to live into that calling. Ask your Church Council to consider how Creation Care can fit into the context of your church community. This Convenant is an easy way to do that, with background […]
Sample resolutions from other denominations
Catholic: http://www.catholicsandclimatechange.org/ The Catholic Coalition on Climate Change national organization connected to the US Council of Catholic Bishops and Catholic Charities http://catholicclimatecovenant.org/ Action-response link from above, includes a tab for the St. Francis Pledge. Episcopal: http://www.eenonline.org/ Episcopal Environmental Network (national) similar to Web of Creation http://www.episcopalchurch.org/1829_ENG_HTM.htm Episcopal Peace and Justice site, base for Environmental Stewardship […]
First Lutheran in Decorah Signs Paris Pledge
by Sarah Webb, Iowa Interfaith Power & Light First Lutheran in Decorah signed the Paris Pledge, joining other congregations across the nation to reduce our carbon pollution by 50% by 2030 and to be carbon neutral by 2050. They have already achieved the 50% reduction goal (read their story here) and they are determined to be […]
Confused about our way forward?
As there has been continuing conversation and controversy emerging since Michael Moore’s film: Planet of the Human, we decided to share some feedback from a Lutherans Restoring Creation member. Thanks to Josh Thede, an active member of the Central States LRC Mission Table. Our LRC community plans to discuss the broader challenge of how to […]
2016 Churchwide Assembly Passes Memorial To Move Towards A Responsible Energy Future
On August 13, 2016, after days of conversation, discernment, and prayer, the ELCA Churchwide Assembly voted to pass the memorial Toward a Responsible Energy Future. A grassroots divestment coalition had brought together several synod memorials, working through the proper parliamentary process to bring an amended version to the floor for a vote. 2016 Churchwide Assembly […]
Advocacy vs. Politics
Thanks to Tracey DePasquale, Director of Lutheran Advocacy Ministry of Pennsylvania who joined our Connections Call on May 6th, 2020 to help discern the definition of politics. Hear her commentary here, followed by a discussion including insight from Ruth Ivory-Moore, ELCA Advocacy, Director of Energy & Environment. Resources mentioned and related to the call: May […]
Carbon Issues (video playlist)
Tools for Grassroots Advocacy: Full Spectrum
We have had several Connection Calls which lift up numerous ways we can represent what the ELCA’s Creation Care stance offers and how to implement action from where we are each planted. Since we are all living in very different spaces and each know our own audiences best there seems to be a spectrum of […]
Creation Care Ambassador Program
Since 2020 ELCA and ecoAmerica’s Blessed Tomorrow have trained over 300 members to reach out to their faith community in order to activate congregations to work towards climate solutions in their areas. There are dozens of certified Ambassadors ready to share their new skills and resources with your church and community. All “Certified Ambassadors” who […]
YOUTH: How can YOUR decisions impact your global neighbor?
While the following pledge form was originally poised to the hundreds of Lutheran youth attending the 2018 Gathering in Houston, these questions help people of any age recognize their impact and how many tools their are to make changes of habit that offer fulfilling prayerful actions to every step of their day. To put the […]
Fourth Sunday of Easter in Year C (Susan Henry)
Revelation’s Easter Message Readings for Series C (2016, 2019, 2022) Revelation 7:9-17 **Acts 9:36-43 **John 10:22-30 Sermon from Pastor Susan Henry at House of Prayer Lutheran Church, Hingham MA More than Just Weird Grace to you and peace from our risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. After Sunday worship last week, Kurt Lundin leaned in […]
Public Witness: from hand-wringing to actively loving neighbor
The 2019 ELCA Advocacy Convening (April 29 – May 1) gathered over 100 lay and rostered leaders to be trained as advocates. The theme: “Prepared to Care: Our Advocacy in Light of Disasters Intensified by Climate Change.” Below are some highlights as I, Phoebe Morad, experienced them. Thanks to those who support Lutherans Restoring Creation […]