An Economy for Earth
An Economy for Earth The word economy may bring to mind currency, goods, and the stock market, but the word itself comes from the Greek oikonomos: oikos (household) + nomos (rules or guidelines). As Christians, our household is the entirety of this wonderful Creation, and our guidelines from God instruct us to be earth-keepers (Gen […]
Divestment from Fossil Fuels
“Divestment” can mean a lot of things, but in general, the divestment movement is about stopping the flow of money into fossil fuels. Even when we don’t mean to, banks and investors can put our money into funding new fossil fuel projects that damage Creation and our future. Banking If you bank with the worst […]
Sunday July 3-9 in Year B (Mundahl15)
A Costly Calling – Tom Mundahl reflects on the courage and action required to be prophetic for creation. Care for Creation Commentary on the Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday July 3-9, Year B (2015, 2018, 2021, 2024, 2027) Ezekiel 2:1-5 Psalm 123 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 Mark 6:1-13 In 2015 the Twin Cities received the gift […]
ELCA Actions for a Just Transition to a Healthier Climate for All
The Church’s Vision of Creation / Just Transition “We as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) are deeply concerned about the environment, locally and globally, as members of this church and as members of society.” This deep concern is rooted in our belief in a God who created all things and called all God […]
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 […]
Tools for Talking and Listening
Being church together doesn’t have to mean we have one mind. Listening to the Holy Spirit within each of our stories can help us move beyond disagreement and confusion. There is no one way to help us along this journey, but there are many resources to help us find common ground. Below are some suggestions […]
Lutheran Responses to Fossil Fuel Dependency
Some of us bemoan the fact that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has not committed to entirely divest from fossil fuels as many others have (see latest cohort of 42 religious institutions). Some of us are wary of pulling out entirely from shareholder positions when we may be able to have more leverage to […]
So We Can Restore Creation
While caring for the environment can feel overwhelming, it’s when we stand together, each doing our part, that we find hope, gain strength, and make a difference. Find a tool below to help celebrate God’s gifts to us! Download (Click Here) the information shared from Portico and Lutherans Restoring Creation at Churchwide Assembly 2019 to […]
New England Synod Takes the Challenge (2013)
At the New England 2013 Assembly, June 7-9, voters agreed to urge the restraint of hydraulic fracturing and request an eventual divestment of church funds from fossil fuel companies. LRC Synod Trainer, Nancy Urban, was also there to challenge everyone passing by to see how “cool” their congregation was with a game giving points to […]
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 together this month in agreement that the 500th anniversary of the Reformation is a time to see how churches can work together to solve some of our most pressing justice issues: including the state of […]
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 Fuel Divestment Resolution PASSED a vote at the ELCA Oregon Synod. Now it will be forwarded for consideration at this summer’s Churchwide Assembly in Pittsburgh. In a meeting also attended by Secretary of the ELCA […]
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 1, 2015 (New York, NY) – On Friday, March 29, the annual Assembly of the Metropolitan New York Synod, one of the most populous geographical divisions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), resolved to […]
Northeastern Pennsylvania to Study Divestment (2015)
The following resolution was passed at the June 2015 Assembly of the Northeastern Pennsylvania: WHEREAS, Jesus calls us as his disciples to both love God and love our neighbor, and climate change is a direct threat to both God’s creation and God’s people, the church should be a leader in all efforts to preserve and […]
Sample resolutions to edit and submit at your next synod assembly
Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice Action (World Council of Churches) This model resolution, written by the Northwest Intermountain Synod Eco-Faith Leadership Team, asks for wider ELCA participation in the World Council of Churches’ Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice Action (2025–2035). It has passed in synods across the ELCA. Edit it and bring it to your […]