Environment – Page 21

Celebrate Abundance with a Harvest Worship

September 25, 2017 By SOLI staff Leave a Comment

This year help your congregation make the connection between God’s creation and something very near and dear to them — their food! A worship service that celebrates and gives thanks to God for the bounty of the earth will also remind parishioners of the seasons of the year, the cycle of life, the value of farms, the need for sustainable care of creation, and the source of our nourishment. What local agriculture can you bring in? Here are some planning resources. (Photo: kkmarais, Creative Commons)

Bible Studies on Sustainability and Creation Care

September 7, 2017 By Rob Blezard Leave a Comment

Care for the God’s good creation may be the top issue facing civilization today. As climate change threatens to make our planet unhabitable and we are consuming our natural resources at a frighteningly fast pace; Christians are wise to remember what Scripture says about our place in God’s creation and our special responsibility to Earth […]

Photo by Takver, used by Creative Commons license.

Climate Change is Here, Report Concludes

August 25, 2017 By Rob Blezard Leave a Comment

Help your congregation get the facts about climate change. Americans are already experiencing harmful effects, a report compiled by 13 U.S. government agencies concludes. The last few decades have been the warmest in centuries, scientists say, and our nation has seen more intense heat waves, worsening drought, more heavy-precipitation storms, shrinking snowpack, and shifting weather patterns. […]

Pray for God’s Gift of Water

August 9, 2017 By Rob Blezard Leave a Comment

Creation Justice Ministries calls on faith communities to pray for the precious gift of water during August and/or September. In its budget discussions that end September 30, the U.S. government is considering radical proposals that, CJM says, will undermine basic oversight and protections for clean, safe water . The organization asks congregations to register, saying “Whether […]

Save Money on AC — Here’s How!

July 27, 2017 By Rob Blezard Leave a Comment

Does it save money to turn the AC down or off when church is empty? Well … maybe, but that’s only one of the factors to take into consideration if you want to save money on air conditioning. A lot of parts comprise an air conditioning system, and many of them are rarely considered, says […]

Restoring Creation with Faith

July 13, 2017 By Rob Blezard Leave a Comment

As the planet’s environment faces unprecedented challenges, many Christians are doing much more than either wringing their hands in despair or clasping them together in prayer. They are advocating, teaching, preaching and taking practical steps in their congregations and communities to help not only raise awareness about the environment, but also to help improve it. […]

Start a 350 Group in Your Church

June 29, 2017 By Rob Blezard Leave a Comment

If your congregation is interested in getting more actively involved in the creation care movement, consider forming a group to align with environmental author and theologian Bill McKibben’s 350.org. The organization is dedicated to grassroots campaigns to organize, educate and advocate for policies to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Great idea for a youth or […]

Make Your Church an Energy Star!

June 8, 2017 By Rob Blezard Leave a Comment

Think of all the offering dollars your church spends just to keep the building cool in the summer and hot in the winter! Certainly your congregation can use that money for better expenses, such as expanding mission and outreach! Now that summer’s here, it’s a good time to make your church energy efficient, and the […]

Hymns to Celebrate Creation for the ‘Eco-Reformation’

May 25, 2017 By Rob Blezard Leave a Comment

Here’s a wonderful resource to enhance your worship service that celebrates God’s creation! Poet, biblical scholar and environmentalist Norman C. Habel has written earth- and creation-centered lyrics to the tunes of familiar hymns that are in the public domain. For instance, using the tune from “A Mighty Fortress,” Habel’s hymn is “A Mighty Wonder is […]

Creating Space to Flourish

May 4, 2017 By Rob Blezard Leave a Comment

Noted architect David Greusel believes that Christians should care about built environments that allow all people to flourish where they work, pray, play, and gather, and that this care is part of our stewardship of creation. “The church had a central role in the discussion about what is good architecture but basically abandoned it,” he said. Read this interview from […]