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September 2008 Edition
...And The Winners Are...
Eco-Justice program received over 50 entries in our Great Green Congregations Contest. Submissions came from throughout the nation. Winners were selected from eight categories including an overall "Comprehensive Program". Thank you to all who participated for protecting and nurturing God's Creation. Click here to read about the eight winners!
2008 Summer Peace Institute Global Health & World Peace: Sept 5, Portland, OR.
The program runs from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more details visit www.wholisticpeaceinstitute.com or call: (503) 266-8996.
Annual Meeting of The International Association for Environmental Philosophy,
Philadelphia, PA
All sessions except for the Saturday night plenary session will be held at Duquesne University. Click here for more information.
Behavior, Energy and Climate Change Conference, Nov 16-19, Sacramento, CA. The focus of this conference is to understand the nature of individual and organizational behavior and decision making and using that knowledge to accelerate the transition to an energy-efficient and low carbon economy. Click here for more information.
Lighten Up!: A Religious Response to Global Warming
This video helps explain the complex issue of global climate change and offers ideas on what each of us can do to help. To order by phone or email, or to download the facilitator's study guide click here.
This Old House of Worship?
What is This Old House of Worship? It is a 15 hour energy education program on all aspects of the building and the human behaviors that effect energy consumption, efficiency and conservation. Click here for more information.
60 Simple Steps to Reduce Global Warming
Here are 60 simple steps that can help cut your annual emissions of carbon dioxide by thousands of pounds. Whenever you save energy - or use it more efficiently - you reduce the demand for gasoline, oil, coal and natural gas. Click here to view the list.
The Green Bible
Coming this Fall, HarperOne will publish "The Green Bible". This unique Bible features highlights on creation care, a green subject index will be printed using environmentally friendly materials. Look for the Bible this on book shelves this Fall. Click here to order.
Eco-Justice
Working Group
Church
of the Brethren
Environmental
Justice Office of Presbyterian Church (USA)
Presbyterian
Washington Office
Episcopal
Ecological Network
Greek
Orthodox Church in America
Luthern
Earthkeeping Network of the Synods
Reformed
Church in America
United
Church of Christ
United
Methodist Board of Church and Society
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Mindful Living: Healthy Churches, Healthy People, Healthy Planet Conference October 9-11, Alexandria, MN
...Space Still Available....
Join this ecumenical gathering of denominational staff, clergy, seminarians, eco-justice coordinators, and Christians to educate yourself on toxics. This 3-day conference will focus on how toxics impact us and what we can do  to limit their effects. Guest speakers include Pete Myers, co-author of the 1996 book "Our Stolen Future" which explores how contamination threatens fetal development and Reverend Dr. Jim Antal, Minister and President of the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ, and participant in the Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow's national Body Burden project. For more information on these and other speakers attending the conference or to register click on our conference web page.
Sign On To Our Statement Expressing Solidarity With Africans On Finding Just Solutions To The Problems Of Climate Change
A delegation of our neighbors from across Africa will be coming to the U.S. this month after attending the UN Climate Negotiations in Accra Ghana. Their goal is to help raise awareness about the impacts of climate on those living in poverty. Please show your love and support by welcoming our brothers and sisters from Africa to the U.S. and join them in their effort to work for just solutions to climate change. Click here to sign the statement
Celebrating Biodiversity and St. Francis Day
This fall, two new resources will be available, inviting your church to  celebrate the incredible diversity that exists within God's Creation, and celebrate the life and teachings of St. Francis of Assisi. Click here to preorder a new resource on the issue of Biodiversity, including worship and educational materials, and click here for a How-To guide to holding a Blessing of the Animals service in your community around St. Francis Day (October 4th).
New Youth Eco-Justice Website 
The Eco-Justice program is glad to introduce a new website designed to involve the youth of your church in the task of caring for God's Creation. Click here to check out "Tenders of the Garden", and share your ideas for how to get youth involved. Also, check out our YouTube page to see how the youth of St. John's Mar Thoma Church in NY celebrated Earth Day.
Earth Ministry's St. Francis Sermon Smack-Down*
*otherwise known as a Sermon Contest
Find yourself preaching in the shower? Got a sermon inside of you ready to bust out?Enter our contest and see how you stack up!  The contest is open to anyone and everyone who wants to submit a sermon, homily, or message of faith in action related to care for God's creation! Check out the list of contest prizes and rules by clicking here!
Legislative Updates
Congressional representatives are making decisions everyday that impact the future of God's Creation, and it is important that the voices of people of faith are heard on these issues. Click here for our most up to date opportunities for action, and click here to view our activists' toolbox for strategies and suggestions when contacting your representatives.
Sierra Club releases report "Faith In Action - Communities of Faith Bringing Hope for the Planet"
The Sierra Club's first report on the work communities of faith are doing for the environment highlights environmental initiatives from each of the fifty states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. 'Environmental concerns continue to rise in prominence on the agenda of the faithful, with no sign of receding. As the implications of global warming and its disproportionate impact on the world's poor become increasingly clear, prophetic voices are being raised in religious communities around the globe. In the United States, 67 percent of Americans say they care about the environment because it is "God's creation". Click here to view the entire report.
Global warming as Christian concern? Of course!
In growing numbers, communities of faith across Texas are moving by leaps and bounds to respond to the moral imperative of global warming. They're moving out of their traditional activities and comfort zones to study, pray and take action, because at its core, global warming is a moral and spiritual hazard. Click here to read how Texas faith communities have taken big steps to deal with this issue.
Creation Care in Arizona
The National Council of Churches Eco-Justice program, in conjunction with the Arizona Ecumenical Council, met with faith leaders in the greater Phoenix area on July 8th to hear stories of what their churches and communities are doing to better protect Creation, and to share how the NCC and AEC can be a better resource for them. Young and old, pastor and lay, and Christians from Catholics, to Presbyterians, to the UCC, to the UMC, to someone from the New Hope Covenant Church came out to join in the discussion. Click here to read more on our blog.
"Healing the Coyote in Me"
The Navajo Coyoteway Blessing Ceremony
This audio book written and narrated by Rev. John C. Cook and Dr. Owen D. Owensbook will help you get your life in balance by looking through the lenses of the ancient Navajo Coyoteway ceremony, and following its flow from spiritual through physical to mental healing. Learn about traditional methods of restoring right relationships with the natural world and energizing your spiritual essence by listening to the stories, songs, and messages in this audio book. Copies can be purchased from Rev. John Cook for $29.95 at P.O. Box 2605, Tuba City, AZ 86045. For more information please call: 928-637-4043.
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