Wednesday, March 5, 2014

3/14 Creation Corner Column: Earth Day Sunday 2014 and Beyond

Creation Justice Ministries develops Earth Day Sunday
materials each year to help congregations celebrate and care for God's
Creation.  The 2014 theme is "Water, Holy Water" (see Job 5:10,
Psalms 104:10-13; Isaiah 43:16-21, Genesis 1:20, Hebrews 10:22, Exodus 17, Ezekiel 34:18, and over 700 other Biblical references to water).

Beyond a six-page introduction to the theme, the web site for 2014 and
topics for prior years offers adult and youth educational resources, sermon
starters, a bulletin insert (prayers and litany), and action steps for
congregations.

Materials for themes of prior years include climate change, energy and
faith, environmental health, food and farming, green building churches, land
and wilderness, and young adult fellowship.

Resources include those for biodiversity, the Chesapeake Bay, climate and
energy, environmental justice, faithful budgets and stewardship, analysis of
energy subsidies and poverty assistance programs.

Ecojustice includes all ministries designed to heal and defend Creation,
working to assure justice for all of Creation and the human beings who live in
it.

See http://www.creationjustice.org/earthday

Also in April:


1.  Soil and Water Stewardship Week, April 27-May 4, 2014, sponsored by your regional conservation district.  "Dig Deeper: Mysteries of the Soil" is the theme.  Educational materials for all ages and stewardship program insert/litany available.  Visit http://www.nacdnet.org/education/resources/digdeeper or call 1-888-695-2433 

2.  Earth Day, April 22, 2014.  "Green Cities" is the theme for over one billion people in 190 countries.  Sponsored by Earth Day Network (many partners).  http://www.earthday.org  

3.  Arbor Day, celebrated annually the last Friday of April, inspires people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees.  http://www.arborday.org  


And, if you missed this at http://www.lutheransrestoringcreation.org, from Peter Bakken:

Sign Up Your Congregation Now for the Lutheran Energy Stewards Initiative!

ELCA congregations and camps can apply now (deadline is May 1, 2014) for the Energy Stewards Initiative (ESI), a one- to two-year national program beginning in June.

The program helps congregations track and reduce energy use, lower their carbon footprint, and free up funds for other ministries.

The first ten camps or congregations to sign up will receive a FREE copy of the EarthBound video series!

Learn more and apply at:


You can also sign up for an informational webinar on March 25, 2014 (7:00 p.m. CT) at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5598175904190977281