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
- St. Andrews Presbyterian Church wins GIPL award
- PCUSA Environmental Ministries and GreenFaith collaboration: webinar now available online!
- First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethtown, KY loves mountains!
- Sunday Morning Sustainability: Earth Day Sunday 2013
- Earth Care church spotlight: Bayfield Presbyterian Church
Categories
- Eco-Justice (236)
- Congregations (182)
- Advocacy (135)
- Events (131)
- Climate Change (119)
- View all categories →
Archives
Posts with tag: rio+20
September 20, 2012Share Your Voice for Sustainable Development
Let's contribute the voice of people of faith to United Nations conversations still emerging out of the Rio+20 conversations from late June. Called by God to care for creation, we can write, speak, and stand up for sustainability throughout all the earth.July 12, 2012
Final Reflection on Rio+20 UN Conference
Scriptural calls to confession and active repentance/turning
Isaiah 5:8
Ah, you who join house to house, who add field to field, until there is room for no one but you, and you are left to live alone in the midst of the land!
Job 28:9-12
They put their hand to the flinty rock, and overturn mountains by the roots. They cut channels in the rocks, and their eyes see every precious thing. The sources of the rivers they probe; hidden things they bring to light. But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of ...
June 21, 2012
Rio Reflection: Human Vocation
Scripture
Gen 2:5-15
In the day that the Holy God made the earth and the heavens, when no plant of the field was yet in the earth and no herb of the field had yet sprung up—for the Holy God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was no one to till the ground; but a stream would rise from the earth, and water the whole face of the ground—then the Holy God formed the human one (adam) from the dust of the ground (adamah), and breathed into human nostrils the breath of ...
June 20, 2012
Rio Reflection: Gifts of Creation
Scripture:
Genesis 1:31a
God saw everything that God had made, and indeed, it was very good.
Psalm 104: 1-4
Bless the Holy One, O my soul….you make the clouds your chariot, you ride on the wings of the wind, you make the winds your messengers, fire and flame your ministers…
John 3:16-17
For God so loved the world that God gave us the only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order ...
June 20, 2012
Perspectives on Rio+20
News and perspectives from diverse conversation partners at the People’s Summit:
United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (official web site)
Clic here to read the Rio+20 Outcome Document being discussed for adoption by heads of states.
Video of NGOS speaking at the United Nations, feeling that Rio+20 is not the future we want.
UN multi-media web site with Rio+20 photos
World Council of Churches eco-justice programs
Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance and concern for food security
Via Campesina (includes current photos)
Stakeholders Forum includes articles, analysis, links, and live tweets from Rio+20
June 19, 2012
Rio Reflection: Community
Scripture
Ecclesiastes 3:19
For the fate of humans and the fate of animals is the same; as one dies, so dies the other.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Two are better than one, because they have good reward for their toil. For if they fail, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help. Again, if two lie together, they keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone? And though one might prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Acts ...
June 18, 2012
Journeying to Rio+20
Tens of thousands of people, from official state delegates to non-profit organizations and social community leaders, are gathering for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development and the parallel People’s Summit. I will be part of the World Council of Churches delegation and will assume the role of observer. My hope is that my observations, the tiny snapshots I take of this major event, written here, can act as windows for Presbyterians (and others) back at home, to relate our local congregational ministries to global conversations.
This week as I blog from Rio, I invite you to keep the ...
June 5, 2012
World Environment Day and the lead-up to Rio+20
June 18-22, I will attend the People’s Summit with the World Council of Churches delegation. I will be watching the development at the UNCSD, learning from workshops at the People's Summit, and blogging here for Presbyterians about my experiences while I’m in Rio. My hope is that this will help us to gain a better global understanding of our call to care for God’s creation, even as we continue our local efforts in our own congregations and communities.
May 21, 2012
Continued preparations for the Rio +20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development
Next month at this time, the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development will be in full swing (June 20-22, 2012). I will be posting blog (and/or facebook) updates "from the field" as we learn more about what governments, NGOs, and the religious community will commit to doing around eco-justice and sustainability. I will be part of the World Council of Churches' delegation to this global gathering and look forward to sharing with you from Rio.
In advance of that, I wanted to share with you how the preparations are proceeding in advance of the actual conference. I ...
May 18, 2012
Reflection on Women's Stories from the MTR and Climate Change Tribunal last week
The Central Appalachian Women’s Tribunal on Climate Justice on May 10, 2012 was a powerful and meaningful event of local women lifting up their voices and engaging in action to protect the health and integrity of their families, their communities, and their land. I was honored and energized to be in this gathering of powerful grassroots advocates who are working hard to take care of the things they love. The speakers and leaders of this event were local residents who shared their personal stories of witnessing to the devastating effects of Mountaintop Removal (MTR) Coal Mining in their homeland of Appalachia. Some of these local women have won prestigious awards, gained national recognition, and/or been interviewed in documentaries for their great efforts. They come from a four state area: TN, WV, VA, and KY.
These women’s lives have been drastically impacted by MTR and I was convicted and inspired by their stories. Hearing their testimonies, I am ever more committed to continue to pray and work for an end to the destructive practice of MTR that is damaging this part of God’s creation. I hope you will join me in these efforts, both from reading these glimpses of local residents’ stories and from knowing our biblical, theological, and denomination mandate to care for God’s creation.