Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) Blogs

Eco-Justice Journey

Opportunities and information for education, advocacy, and action to accompany you on your own justice journey.

PCUSA Welcomes Papal Encyclical

Last week, Pope Francis released the long-awaited papal encyclical on the environment. In response, PC(USA) Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons posted this affirmation of Pope Francis’ message.   http://www.pcusa.org/news/2015/6/18/presbyterian-church-us-welcomes-papal-encyclical/   The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) welcomes the release of Pope Francis’ papal encyclical Laudato Sii June 18, 2015 We celebrate the faithful witness and words of Pope Francis… Read more »

Articles on Pope Francis’ Encyclical on the Environment

Great thanks to the Forum on Religion and Ecology at Yale, pulling together a long and helpful list of articles about Pope Francis’ encyclical!   You can read the encyclical on the Vatican site: http://m.vatican.va/content/francescomobile/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html There are a number of resources on the Forum site (fore.yale.edu) to provide you more information on the encyclical, including… Read more »

Papal Encyclical Released Next Thursday

Next Thursday, June 18, Pope Francis will release his papal encyclical on the environment. While no one knows the precise content of the encyclical until it is released, it is anticipated that it will include messages consistent with the moral mandate to care for God’s creation and the understanding that poverty, hunger and environmental degradation… Read more »

World Council of Churches Efforts on Climate Change

Rev. William Somplatsky-Jarman, PC(USA) Coordinator for Mission Responsibility through Investment (MRTI), has long been at the table with WCC member churches working on earth care and climate justice. Attending every United Nations’ Conference of the Parties (COP) meetings since their inception, Bill and other WCC member communion representatives witness to the faith voice and moral… Read more »

Eco-Stewards Visioning Retreat

Celebrating 10 years of grassroots ministry The Eco-Stewards Program is a community that shapes young adult leaders through environmental action, faith formation, vocational discernment and place-based learning. Growing out of Presbyterians concerned about earth care and committed to outdoor education and camping, this informal network of Presbyterian and ecumenical young adults has gathered annually to… Read more »

Releasing Monarchs for Pentecost!

On Pentecost Sunday, May 24, 2015, members of Christ Community Church in Cortland, NY gathered outside to celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit by releasing Eastern Monarch butterflies.   Rev. Dr. Janet Adair Hansen, Pastor, explains, “we’ve had butterflies as a theme all Easter season, and passed out information on having ‘butterfly gardens’ (with… Read more »

“Earth Care Day Camp” at Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church

Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church in Portland, OR last year helped to organize and host an “Earth Care Day Camp.” The team provided for transportation, a nutritious snack and lunch every day for the campers, and introduced the 16 youth and 9 children to themes of water, trees, watershed management, food gardens, pollinators, wildlife habitat, wildlife…. Read more »

On behalf of the Lummi Nation and Northwest Native Tribes

Submitted by Jessie Dye, Program and Outreach Director, Earth Ministry and Washington Interfaith Power and Light     Rev. Holly Hallman, Presbyterian teaching elder in the Seattle area, last week delivered a letter from PC(USA) to the Army Corps of Engineers on behalf of the Lummi Nation and Northwest Native Tribes in a public ceremony… Read more »

Prayer “Healthy Cleaning Matters”

Healthy Cleaning Matters: Caring for Creation and Congregations Theological Reflection and Litany   Introduction:             I originally wrote this theological reflection and litany for the “healthy cleaning” seminar that we, the Healthy Seminarians – Healthy Church Initiative, held at Columbia Theological Seminary in March 2015.  Since we invited folks from the seminary community, local communities… Read more »