Eco-Journey
About this blog
Eco-Journey is the blog of the Environmental Ministries Office of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). It will include a wide array of environmental topics: upcoming environmental events, links to interesting articles and studies, information on environmental advocacy, eco-theology topics, and success stories from churches that are going “green.”
Author Rebecca Barnes-Davies is the Associate for Environmental Ministries at the PC(USA). She recently graduated from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary with a M.Div. and Master of Arts in Religion (MAR) dual degree.
Recent posts
- Forest Hill Presbyterian Church celebrates Earth Day
- Webinar on Earth Care Congregations and Environmental Education
- Eco-Justice on College Campus
- Highlights from Wendell Berry
- A Few Haikus from Adult Education at Takoma Park Presbyterian Church
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Forest Hill Presbyterian Church celebrates Earth Day
Presbyterian congregations all across the country have been caring for God's creation in their worship life, educational programs, facilities, and outreach. For many this is an ongoing part of their Christian vocation lived out in the world and it happens year-round.
Earth Day (April 22) is a special day to reflect about why we care as Christians about eco-justice. While not a religious holiday, Earth Day this year fell on a Sunday and church communities had something to say about it! Whether using the Earth Day Sunday materials developed ecumenically each year (through the National Council of Churches), or creating their own, congregations engaged this national observance through their own Christian faith.
Forest Hill Presbyterian Church (a PCUSA certified Earth Care Congregation) , which has long maintained a community garden and offered a Lenten educational program this spring (with locally grown and prepared food), had a special adult education session on Earth Sunday.
Members of the congregation's Green Team shared wisdom and reflections on (1) national energy issues (oil, NG and fracking, wind, solar); (2) household energy efficient activities in lighting and heating/AC; (3) food and environmental kitchen choices; and (4) household and muny recycling. Also, one of the Green Team members (who had installed a solar panel array) discussed the solar project installation and results so far. 40-45 church members attended this wonderful opportunity.
We celebrate with Forest Hill for a great discussion of how we are disciples of Christ in a global world and for their witness to caring for all creation.
May 7, 2012
Webinar on Earth Care Congregations and Environmental Education
The Earth Care Congregations (ECC) program will be a featured segment in a live national "webinar" on Tuesday, May 8, at 4 p.m. Eastern time.
William Seaman, from the Earth Ministry Team of Montreat Presbyterian Church (a certified PCUSA Earth Care Congregation), has been invited to be a co-presenter and will be giving a case study of how the ECC program reflects excellence in its content and process. Much of his material comes from the national Presbyterian guidebook for the process and from his own experience at Montreat Presbyterian Church.
May 3, 2012
Eco-Justice on College Campus
Young adults, faith and the environment: take a look at what this ecumenical ministry is doing for eco-justice!
"For this semester, we are meeting in the ECM at 5pm on Fridays. The current projects we are concentrating on are working to finish the Eco-Walk project in the Haskell wetlands north of 31st street (due largely to an amazing gift from Elizabeth Schultz!), working with the low-income weatherization programs for Lawrence to increase the use by local residents, and researching the possibilities of duplicating the efforts from elsewhere in the country to impliment a local carbon tax. We are also attempting ...
May 2, 2012
Highlights from Wendell Berry
This whole lecture, from Wendell Berry, is well worth reading, as is most of what Wendell Berry has ever written, in my opinion. I say this as a Kentuckian, who loves and is connected to the Kentucky countryside. I also say this as a candidate for ministry, having sat through a great "Sacraments and Globalization" seminary class that had one session to explore Eucharist and land economy with Wendell Berry.
I believe that what Berry writes has profound implication for how we are the church of today, and how we participate as Christians in the wider world. What role do ...
April 25, 2012
A Few Haikus from Adult Education at Takoma Park Presbyterian Church
In the spirit of Earth Day, I thought I'd share with you some fun haikus created by a class I taught last month in Takoma Park, MD.
God so loved the earth
and we are called to respond
care for it all, well
Gather together
the creator's creation
interconnected
Greek God, in the sky,
God of the Psalms, here on earth,
Creation needs you.
Lilies of the field
may we worship God like you
free as good stewards
Earth and sea and sky
Lord, thank you for a world that
provides every need
flowers in little pots
with ...
April 23, 2012
New Book – Sacred Acts – Provides Strategies to Meet the Call for Climate Action
While climate change has become politicized in Congress, religious leaders - Presbyterians as well as Christians of many diverse backgrounds – have expressed more agreement than discord on the need to address climate change.
April 13, 2012
Creation Care Conference
The National Religious Coalition on Creation Care is gathering in Washington D.C. on April 23rd to explore, inform, and inspire people of faith to take action global climate change.
April 10, 2012
Faithful prayer with Peruvian partners
PCUSA members joined sisters and brothers in Peru on World Water Day, March 22nd, as they gathered in prayer and petition for justice, regarding the mining operations in La Oroya. Continued prayer and action is welcome and needed as we walk alongside our partners in mission, witness, and struggle for justice.
Click here to read more from Joining Hands Against Hunger.
Click here to download the new children's health and environment curriculum that focuses on La Oroya, linking kids in PCUSA congregations to kids in Cambialo and educating us all about the situations there and in our own communities ...
April 5, 2012
Maundy Thursday reflection from PEC Devotional
From the Presbyterians for Earth Care Devotional
"Feasting on God's Gifts, Fasting in Sorrow"
Maundy Thursday reflection
God of grace, as the day begins we give thanks for each new breath and for the mystery of life. As we reflect on death and life this holy week, increase in us compassion and a willingness to travel the hard pathways to life and freedom.
March 30, 2012
As we go forward into Holy Week...
Tomorrow is the last day of March. The next few days are also the winding down of the very special spiritual season of Lent. Holy Week begins Sunday.