Earth Day Sunday in Review

Earth Day takes place each year on April 22.  PC(USA) churches are encouraged to celebrate Earth Day Sunday the Sunday before or after Earth Day to remember the glory of God’s creation and to explore how we can serve as faithful stewards God’s earth.  Earth care can be incorporated into worship all year – for ideas visit the Web of Creation.

Environmental Ministries has collected several stories about how churches celebrated Earth Day in 2010.  We hope these stories inspire you to think of ways that your church can be involved in earth care.  If your congregation ever wants to share a story about earth care, please email Katie Holmes.  See what other churches around the country did to celebrate Earth Day at the National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Program website.

St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Kilmarnock, VA, celebrated their second annual "Caring for Creation Sunday" with a worship service with a creation care theme, coffee hour prepared by the Caring for Creation Team, and a collection for recyclable electronic equipment and recyclable sneakers.  The Caring for Creation Team advertised their upcoming field trip to a recyclables processing center and to a "Learning Barge" in the Elizabeth River.

Providence Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, NC held a prayer service on Earth Day.  A paperless worship took place in the gleaning garden and included planting seeds as a response to scripture.  

St. Mark Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, CA celebrated Earth Day using the around the National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Program theme, “Sacred Spaces and an Abundant Life.”  In addition to Earth Day worship services, the church announced the Parry Environmental Scholarship winners for upper division students pursuing studies in environmental studies, held an adult environmental forum, and held green activities for children. 

First Presbyterian Church in Evanston, IL celebrated "Creation Sunday" with a creation care book giveaway.  The church also held a household hazardous waste and electronic recycling event on May 1.

Geneva Presbyterian Church in Geneva, NY celebrated Earth Day by dedicating a new bike rack built by one of their members.  This will serve as encouragement for members to bike to church. 

North Como Presbyterian Church in Roseville, MN celebrated Earth Day Sunday with a Creation Care worship service.  The church’s “Creation Care Commitment Pledge” was printed in the bulletin, church members were challenged to pledge one action to care for God’s creation, children were given lettuce plants to grow, and the congregation enjoyed a sustainable spaghetti supper.