Eco-Notes, the e-newsletter from Environmental Ministries comes out approximately monthly. Below is the January 2011 edition. Subscribe to Eco-Notes.
Tread Lightly for Lent
Observe the reflective season of Lent with “Tread Lightly for Lent,” a calendar from Environmental Ministries that encourages Presbyterians to learn about eco-justice issues and take action on the issues of waste, energy, water, consumption, and food. Use each day in the season of Lent to learn about a topic or take action. Download the calendar on the Environmental Ministries website.
Come to Ecumenical Advocacy Days
Come to Ecumenical Advocacy Days, a gathering for people to connect faith, peace, justice, and advocacy, March 25-28 in Washington, D.C. The theme for 2011 is Development, Security and Economic Justice: What’s Gender Got to Do with It? Learn about the Eco-Justice Track, which will include workshops on topics related to maternal health and environmental justice, gender and climate displaced communities, and environmental health. Register today. Join Compassion, Peace and Justice for a training day on the morning and afternoon of March 25. Look for more information on this soon. The training is designed to develop a link between the domestic and global ministries of Compassion, Peace & Justice and local congregations and Presbyterians interested in social and public witness opportunities. Get more information and register for the training event.
Order your Eco-Palms
Does your church purchase palms for Palm Sunday? If so, make a sustainable choice and buy Eco-Palms this year. Purchasing Eco-Palms supports eco-justice: Eco-Palms are harvested in a sustainable manner and workers are paid a fair wage. If churches purchase Eco-Palms, this will protect forests and increase the standard of living for Eco-Palm harvesters, who are paid 5-6 times the normal payment per palm. Enough for Everyone, part of the Presbyterian Hunger Program, sponsors the Eco-Palms project with Lutheran World Relief, Catholic Relief Services, and the University of Minnesota. Visit the Enough for Everyone website for more information on Eco-Palms. Order by March 22 (with a check) or March 29 (with a credit card) for delivery by Palm Sunday.
Apply for the 2011 Eco-Stewards Program
Are you a young adult between the ages of 20 and 30 who is interested in exploring connections between faith and environmental stewardship? Apply now for the Eco-Stewards 2011 event, June 2-9, with the theme of “Living with and from the Land on the Crow Reservation in Montana: Sustainability and Reconciliation through Agriculture, Health and Green Building.” Come to Greenwood Farm, just outside of Hardin, Montana and explore issues surrounding land use, poverty, agriculture, and sustainability in a cross-cultural context on the Crow Reservation in southeastern Montana. Learn more about the program, including limited paid summer internships, and how to apply on the Eco-Stewards Program Blog.
The Eco-Stewards Program is sponsored by Presbyterians for Earth Care and the Presbyterian Church Camp and Conference Association.
Mark your calendars for Earth Day
Save the date — Earth Day is April 22. Talk with your church about celebrating Earth Day on a Sunday near that date (which falls on Good Friday this year). Check back soon for new resources for celebrating Earth Day Sunday from the National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Program.
Other links of interest
Download a study guide on biblical and theological Foundations for Eco-Justice.
Learn about Earth Care Congregations →
Support Environmental Ministries →