Below is the June edition of the Environmental Ministries e-newsletter "Eco-Notes." Sign up to receive the monthly e-newsletter.
Read about the Gulf of Mexico oil spill
As the oil continues to flow into the Gulf of Mexico after the April 22 sinking of the Deepwater Horizon, let us pray for all people and creation affected by the spill. Bruce Reyes-Chow, Moderator, 218th General Assembly (2008); Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly; and Linda Bryant Valentine, Executive Director of the General Assembly Mission Council have written a pastoral letter to those affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster. Environmental Ministries will continue to post updates and resources about the oil spill on the Eco-Journey blog. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance’s page on the oil spill has links to further information and worship resources about the oil spill. As we pray for those affected by the spill, let’s also examine our consumption of oil, gas, and other natural resources to see how we can simplify our lifestyles and do less harm to God's earth. This won't stop the oil spill, but we can work together to create less demand for drilling in the future.
Study the Biblical foundations for Eco-Justice
Is your church starting to explore eco-justice and earth care issues or looking for an interesting adult class topic? A new study guide, made to accompany the booklet And the Leaves of the Tree Are for the Healing of the Nations: Biblical and Theological Foundations for Eco-Justice, helps your church explore biblical and theological foundations for eco-justice and caring for God’s earth. Use the new study guide for adult classes. Churches can choose between two study guides: one for a two hour class and one for five one-hour sessions. Learn more on the Environmental Ministries website.
Reflecting on Restoring Creation for Ecology and Justice
In 1990 the 202nd General Assembly approved Restoring Creation for Ecology and Justice, which affirms that God calls the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to care for the earth and work for justice for all of creation, human and non-human. The policy grounds the work of Environmental Ministries and recognizes “restoring creation as a central concern of the church, to be incorporated into its life and mission at every level.” Learn more about the policy on the Environmental Ministries website.
On the twentieth anniversary of this policy, Environmental Ministries has asked several people who have been active in earth care over the years to reflect on what the policy has meant to them. Read their reflections on the Eco-Journey blog.