Eco-Journey
About this blog
Eco-Journey is the blog of the Environmental Ministries Office of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). It includes 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 is the Associate for Environmental Ministries at the PC(USA). She is a graduate of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary with an MDiv and Master of Arts in Religion (MAR) dual degree.
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Posts with tag: mission
April 1, 2016April 2016 - Pack your mission T
One of the great aspects of my time as Stated Clerk is hearing about the mission and ministry of Presbyterians and their congregations. Sometimes it is ministry in its own community. Other times it is a mission trip to some spot in the world. Universally I hear how these experiences are transformative.
- Posted at 6:00 a.m.
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August 7, 2013
An Extended Ecclesial Analogy
Don’t stop me if you’ve heard this. It bears repeating.
Once upon a time a group of people gathered concerned about the number of lives lost due to shipwrecks off their coast. Whenever there was a storm, they gathered on the shore watching for any signs of people needing rescue. When they saw someone perishing, they formed a human chain to pull them to safety.
Soon someone suggested they build a small lighthouse to warn sailors of the dangerous rocks. “At the same time,” someone else said, “let’s build a fireplace in the bottom of the lighthouse so that those …
- Posted at 5:16 p.m.
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April 25, 2013
Five Verbs, Seven Groups and a Case Study
A visitor at this meeting, I was given privilege of the floor to advise the Synod commissioners about language in soon-to-be adopted Synod by-laws about the Committee on Representation.
- Posted at 2:12 p.m.
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October 12, 2012
Presbyterian News Service story on Dallas II
Bethany Furkin of the Presbyterian News Service writes about the process and outcomes of the Dallas II mission consultation.
- Posted at 9:17 a.m.
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October 9, 2012
Unity, Justice, and Witness
These were the questions of earlier generations, and they are also our questions today. In time, ecumenical Christians came to believe that “we belong together,” and that unity, justice, and witness are streams of the same river...- Posted at 11:13 a.m.
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October 6, 2012
Afternoon Breakout Sessions of Dallas II
A listing of the breakout session conversations, when they are happening, and in what room, during the Dallas II Mission Consultation.- Posted at 11:52 a.m.
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October 6, 2012
Breaking the bonds of poverty
Both Dessa and Cobbie Palm, mission co-workers to the Philippines, were born there as well. In her keynote at Dallas II Friday, she spoke about how the Filipino word “kapwa” literally means “fellow human being,” but actually bears a more profound moral kinship. Kapwa informs the way Christians should treat one another.
Dessa spoke about how, in the 1930s, an accord was signed by the U.S. and the Philippines on sugar trading, engraving the Filipino economy in a triple dependency: on monocrop culture, on sugar trading and industry, and on the U.S. as a single market. Fifty years later, the …
- Posted at 10:51 a.m.
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October 5, 2012
Dallas II Kicks-Off!
The time has finally arrived, and with only minor travel hiccups, 200+ Presbyterians, global partners, and mission personnel have gathered together in Dallas for the second Mission Consultation. At the first one, those who had gathered together discussed what mission priorities the PC(USA) should focus on, coming up with the three Critical Global Issues. Now, the goal is to come together, to join our voices, spirits and experiences, and discern concrete strategies which will enable us all to more effectively reach out in mission and proclamation.
Hunter Farrell called us together, reminding us of the rich tradition of history the …
- Posted at 3:01 p.m.
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October 3, 2012
Better Together? Indeed We Are!
Seeing the crisis of contaminated water, Living Waters for the World jumped off into the deep end. One of our earliest discoveries was ‘clean water is medicine.’ We’ve seen what happens when a community is empowered, taking charge of their own clean water needs, then one of the ‘root causes’ of poverty begins to loosen its grip.- Posted at 10:53 a.m.
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September 27, 2012
Violence and Reconciliation
You see, the three themes, or Critical Global Issues, of Presbyterian World Mission are not really so very distinct or discrete. They are more like a braided strand which often makes them that much more difficult to untangle and follow...- Posted at 10:14 a.m.
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September 24, 2012
What Good Is A New House?
Presbyterians from our Presbytery show up for a week at a time to walk alongside, offer our support, and get to know the family who is receiving the new home.- Posted at 10:02 a.m.
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September 20, 2012
An Invitation to Multicultural Study
The PC(USA) has been doing mission for 175 years. One of our core learnings has been that it's God's mission, not ours; God's Church, not ours.- Posted at 9:36 a.m.
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September 17, 2012
Addressing Poverty through Partnership
In July 2012 we sent down a CKD “Research Team” that was not a team of experts but rather people who had a heart for this issue and wanted to learn more. This ended up being a real strength...- Posted at 9:15 a.m.
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September 14, 2012
Working toward Reconciliation
Peace-building naturally requires that we identify and address root causes of violence, but RECONCILIATION specifically has to do with fostering positive relationships where there has been enmity.- Posted at 11:06 a.m.
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September 6, 2012
A Holistic Understanding of Effective Mission
Rebecca Barnes-Davies, PC(USA) Associate for Environmental Ministries, offers up some helpful resources on ways in which environmental degradation impacts women and children, poverty, and increased violence in communities.
In 1990, the PC(USA) adopted a policy that emphasizes justice, sufficiency, and sustainability priniciples. It can be read here.
Resource on children's health and the environment: Read more.
Resources from the National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Programs
- Posted at 11:34 a.m.
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September 4, 2012
Increased Learning Enables More Effective Mission
It is evident that not only do a diversity of ministries respond to the important themes that orient the doing of mission, but also the different ways of learning and un-learning that are the result of living together, sharing and working together.- Posted at 9:34 a.m.
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August 20, 2012
The Mission Example of the Colombia Accompaniment Program
Sarah Henken reflects on how participation in the Colombia Accompaniment Program has informed and shaped her understanding of effective mission and relationship building in the church.- Posted at 9:41 a.m.
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August 15, 2012
More Room At The Table!
Seats available; Submit your request today!
While there is still a limited space we can work with at the actual Dallas II Mission Consultation, we (like Uncle Sam) want YOU to consider joining us at the table for discussion and participation!
- Posted at 9:38 p.m.
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August 13, 2012
Working for Evangelism, Education, & Social Services in Colombia
Rev. Diego Higuita describes the work of the IPC in Colombia, especially as it relates to furthering the realization of the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God described in Isaiah 61, and claimed by Christ in Luke 4.- Posted at 1:26 p.m.
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August 7, 2012
Mission & Congregations: A Few Questions
Rev. Jonathan Evans, Associate Pastor and Alum of the Young Adult Volunteer Program, leaves us with important questions as we consider our motivations behind engaging in mission and outreach.- Posted at 8:46 a.m.
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July 9, 2012
Dallas II - Part 2: Collective Impact
The philosophy behind the Dallas II Mission Consultation...is the understanding that the proclamation of the Kingdom of God is more effectively realized when done so in community.
- Posted at 12:56 p.m.
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July 4, 2012
Dallas II - Part 1: background for the consultation from Presbyterian World Mission
For the past two years Presbyterian World Mission (PWM) has been undergoing a process of strategic planning in light of the changing circumstances in the world and of new developments within our own denomination. In the course of its research and deliberations, PWM has decided to narrow its mission focus to three critical global issues, which can be summarized as addressing poverty, engaging in witness, and working for reconciliation in cultures of violence. It has also concluded that for maximum effectiveness its work should be done in collaboration with the broader Presbyterian family...
- Posted at 12:07 p.m.
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November 14, 2011
Do you know who you are?
Are you here for teaching/sharing peace and justice? Evangelism? Care of Creation? Mission practices? Youth leadership? Or??
If you don’t know they don’t know.
- Posted at 12:00 a.m.
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October 14, 2011
Reaching Out at 5,000 Feet
Taking a fresh look at our mission focus as the Church and society continues to change around us.
- Posted at 6:00 a.m.
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July 12, 2011
What Matters?
If you read my blog, you will find I am interested in a wide variety of subjects related to camp, conference and retreat ministry. I like to look at the ministry facilities we have as "Centers for Mission and Ministry" because they are one of the most flexible resources we have in our church. From facilities for education and retreat, to acres of God's creation, to skilled and multi-talented/flexible staff to help put any idea into action, to their reach into all aspects of church life, our centers are truly under-used and undervalued.
- Posted at 6:00 a.m.
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June 23, 2011
Eco-Steward Program 2011
The Eco-Stewards Program website has been updated to include the a multimedia presentation created by program participants and program leader and journalist, Becky W. Evans. The 2011 program in Montana focused on "reconciliation and sustainability through agriculture, health and green building" in the context of the Crow Reservation and surrounding areas.
- Posted at 6:00 a.m.
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June 2, 2011
Why? Community Building as THE Mission
Just had a wonderful conversation with Rev. David Ensign, (for those of you who knew Rev. John Ensign, long serving director of Camp Hanover, David is his nephew) exploring where the ministry of camp, conference and retreat is heading. It...
- Posted at 10:11 a.m.
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April 22, 2011
Context Links for April 22
Here are this week’s links. Grace and peace to everyone on this Easter weekend.
Giving Trends
A new survey on congregational giving. Developing trends include members being able to make contributions with credit cards at a kiosk in the church, allowing them to designate giving.
Personal Finance at Church
Programs helping people manage personal finances is becoming a popular congregational ministry. The author of the article is probably a little cynical but the article is still informative.
Why churches are a hotbed for finance education
Clergy Communities of Practice
A piece at the Faith and Leadership …
- Posted at 3:51 p.m.
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April 8, 2011
News Links for the Week of April 4
Church Draw
Lovet Weems notes that Sunday School was the primary entry point for church life. Then it was the worship service. Now it is service and mission work.
Mission as the Emerging Entry Point for New People
Biblical Illiteracy
A group of theologians have taken to cyberspace to address biblical illiteracy.
Theologians Launch Blog to Tackle Biblical Illiteracy
Presbyterian Congregational Trends
In case you missed it, while we were meeting in Louisville last week, Cynthia Woolever and Deborah Bruce released a report on Trends unfolding in Presbyterian Congregations.
Looking inside Presbyterian congregations
Church Trends
Eileen Lindner …
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