Why does the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) promote an environmental justice ministry?

The Environmental Justice Ministries was created in 1988 when the PC(USA) moved into the new offices in Louisville, Kentucky. The office was formed in order to study past environmental policies of the United Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Presbyterian Church in the United States and to create a combined report of current environmental concerns for the newly formed PC(USA) (formed from the UPCUSA and the PCUS).

In 1990, the 202nd General Assembly of PC(USA) passed a policy called "Restoring Creation for Ecology and Justice" which stands as the foundation for the work of the Environmental Justice Ministry along with the policies "Hazardous Waste, Race and the Environment" (1995) and "Toward a Just and Sustainable Human Development" (1996).

What does our office do?

Environmental Justice Ministries:

• produces, promotes and distributes faith-based environmental resources for individuals, congregations and presbyteries
• coordinates a network of more than 60 Presbytery "Restoring Creation Enablers" who support education, leadership development and environmental ministries throughout their presbyteries
• offers leadership training in environmental issues through national and regional conferences, seminars and workshops
• communicates with the Presbyterian Washington Office and the Presbyterian U.N. Office on advocacy around environmental issues
• hosts study seminars for Presbyterians to understand first-hand the environmental concerns of particular regions
• participates in regional, inter-faith Global Climate Change Campaigns
• cooperates with the World Council of Churches in international climate change negotiations
• networks with other denominations' environmental staff persons through the National Council of Churches of Christ Eco-Justice Working Group. (Find out more about the NCCC Eco-Justice Working Group and ecumenical environmental work.)
• promotes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) "Energy Star Congregations" program
• relates to Presbyterians for Restoring Creation, a Presbyterian community dedicated to environmental wholeness with social justice, seeking to be a prophetic voice for substantive change in the church and in the world

Please contact us! To find out more information, to learn how you can participate in any of the above activities, or to share your environmental success stories, please email Bill Somplatsky-Jarman.

And the Leaves of the Tree are for the Healing of the Nations

Concise booklet explains biblical and theological foundations for cherishing God's Creation. Focuses on Genesis, Psalms, Pauline writings and the life and teachings of Jesus the Christ.