Become an Earth Care Congregation
Is your church active in earth care or interested in becoming more involved in being stewards of God’s earth? Use “Earth Care Congregations: A Guide to Greening Presbyterian Churches” to find ideas for earth care projects and to become certified as an Earth Care Congregation through Environmental Ministries.
To become certified as Earth Care Congregations churches take the “Earth Care Pledge” and complete activities and projects in the fields of worship, education, facilities and outreach. “A Guide to Greening Presbyterian Churches” provides congregations with worksheets, resources and instructions for becoming an Earth Care Congregation.
See a list of churches that are certified as Earth Care Congregations.
View Earth Care Congregations in a full screen map
Getting started
Get started on the path to becoming an Earth Care Congregation or find recertification materials by downloading “Earth Care Congregations: A Guide to Greening Presbyterian Churches.” Page 3 of the guide has links to the First Year Application Materials and the Recertification Application Materials
If you are applying to be an Earth Care Congregation for the first time, click here for first year application materials, which include the following forms: Form 1 Earth Care Congregation Environmental Audit Form 2 Earth Care Pledge Form 3 Earth Care Congregation Application.
If you are applying to recertify as an Earth Care Congregation, click here for recertification application materials, which include the following forms: Form 4 Earth Care Congregation Recertification Application Form 5 Earth Care Congregation Recertification Environmental Audit.
Going interfaith
As an option for churches that would like to take advantage of additional resources, coaching, and interfaith connections, Environmental Ministries has partnered with GreenFaith to invite Presbyterian congregations to consider this interfaith certification program. Going through GreenFaith's two year intensive will count for PCUSA Earth Care Congregation certification and will enable participating churches to raise effective environmental leaders, reduce their operating expenses, and attract new members. Click here to learn more about the resources, webinars, and collaboration between Environmental Ministries and GreenFaith.
To listen to a recording of a webinar that introduces the GreenFaith program, click here.
For more information
Contact Environmental Ministries with any questions about the Earth Care Congregations Program.
Want to learn more about the Earth Care Congregations program? Download a PowerPoint presentation to share with your congregation.
See a list of churches that are certified as Earth Care Congregations.
Read about churches doing earth care ministry here, and on our blog.
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Comments
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Looking for a Earth Care Lenten calendar? Try: http://www.pcusa.org/media/uploads/environment/pdf/lentcalendarnew.pdf
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Ann, thanks for your comment. I am glad to hear that the Earth Care Congregations program has helped your church on its journey of making environmental stewardship part of your ministry.
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This is so worthwhile. Our little church was just certified and it was a wonderful journey and continues to be so. We must step up to stewardship of this earth that God has given us.
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It is important to carry out an environmental cost-benefit analysis for real economic decissionmaking , for humankind to appreciate how very important it is for us all to take care of the earth our common heritage.
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Thank you, Tom. With the Earth Care Congregations program, churches can address earth care issues in whatever way works best for their church under a holistic focus. As churches work on earth care in the fields of worship, education, facilities, and outreach members will become better educated about earth care issues, and can use this knowledge to influence lifestyle choices. There are many resources in the Earth Care Congregations guide to help church members make a commitment to earth care.