Posts Categorized: Environment

Saving the Wild Coast: Turning the Tide on An Oil Leviathan

Two hands breaking free with text No climate Justice without Human Rights It’s so easy to center ourselves and our own needs, in ways that cause us miss how God and the universe are working together to make divine connections. As I traveled to COP27 earlier this week, I felt a bit disgruntled to learn that the airline had switched my seat and I’d be spending my… Read more »

Caretakers of Everything: Indigenous Wisdom

Indigenous communities have a wealth of knowledge that can make climate change mitigation and adaptation more effective. We just have to listen. Jack Collard, Director at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander International Engagement Organisation (ATSIIEO), an indigenous organization dedicated to the building of positive international partnerships for First Nation expertise, in a session on story… Read more »

The Interfaith Talanoa Dialogue call to COP 27

Candle light prayer As shared in an early blog post, the PC(USA) participated in an Interfaith Talanoa Dialogue just prior to the start of COP27. Today at COP27 the World Council of Churches,  a global fellowship of 352 member churches including the PC(USA), held a press release to share the completed text of that document.  The voices of… Read more »

Interfaith Gathering in the Spirit of Talanoa Dialogue

an interfaith moment of prayer concludes after religious leaders and representatives of ecumenical organizations gather for a Talanoa dialogue at the eve of COP27 in Egypt. by Sue Rheem, Coordinator, Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations Earlier this week, on Sunday, November 6th,  about 100 climate justice advocates from various faith groups came together to reflect on solutions from a holistic perspective at the beautiful El sama Eyeen Coptic Church, not far from the convention center where COP27 was taking place.  It… Read more »

COP27 Begins With Hope for Concrete Outcomes

by Sue Rheem, Coordinator, Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations COP27 is the largest UN Climate Summit yet.   According to the New York Times, over 44,000 people have registered.  The world has descended on this resort town in the desert, to hopefully do more than just talk about climate change, but by the time it ends… Read more »

Celebrating the Season of Creation

Bees gather on a yellow flower In the Presbyterian church (and many other denominations) we celebrate the “Season of Creation” that starts on September 1, World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation and ends on October 4, the Feast Day of St. Francis. It is a time set aside for us to reflect on and celebrate God’s creation. We… Read more »

World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation

Bowl of Dragon Fruit/ Large Sunflower “If we learn how to listen, we can hear in the voice of creation a kind of dissonance. On the one hand, we can hear a sweet song in praise of our beloved Creator; on the other, an anguished plea, lamenting our mistreatment of this our common home.” -MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS, POPE FRANCIS, FOR… Read more »

General Assembly 225 in Review

EJ Committee listening Our friends at Presbyterians for Carbon Dividends have put together a fantastic synopsis for use in sharing an overview of the actions from the 225th General Assembly. This GA discussion guide along with these Facilitator Notes are available for congregations to edit and use.  During the plenary sessions of 225th General Assembly held last month,… Read more »

Equal Exchange: Living Out Matthew 25

As part of the Matthew 25 commitment, congregations and presbyteries pledge to embrace one or more of these three areas of focus: Building congregational vitality by deepening and energizing our faith and growing as joyful leaders and disciples actively engaged with our community as we share the gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed…. Read more »