The Vitality Practice of SUSTAINABILITY

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world."

— Psalm 19:1-4

Scripture tells us that God created the world and everything in it (Psalm 24:1) and that it is good. Creation itself teaches us about God, and we are asked to be stewards of creation and care for the earth and all that is in it. Sustainability takes the long view of how our actions and choices impact not just us, but all those coming after us. We are stewards of the precious gift of creation in and among our own communities.

Recommended Curriculum to help you learn more about the Vitality Practice of SUSTAINABILITY

SUSTAIN ISLAND HOME: a Carbon Tracker tool aggregating our sustainability practices

The Diocese of California developed a tool to support anyone who wants to make more life-giving choices about how we inhabit the earth. The Carbon Tracker is a web-based application that helps individuals, households, congregations and even dioceses to measure your carbon footprint and take steps to shrink it to fit a sustainable life. Sign up, and then sign up as a “Group Leader” for even more tools!

SUSTAINABLE LIFE: Suggestions for Responding to the Climate Emergency

This continuously updated document offers resources for all ages to PRAY, LEARN, ACT, and ADVOCATE for Caring for Creation. This list is Compiled by the Episcopal Creation Care Justice Network in Massachusetts  to supplement the Creation Care webpages of the Diocese of Massachusetts and the Diocese of Western Massachusetts. Resources are categorized by season, time sensitivity, or as perpetual resources.

MOVING FORWARD: A Guide to Climate Action For Your Congregation and Community

The Blessed Tomorrow organization offers Moving Forward: A Guide to Climate Action For Your Congregation and Community. It provides information and resources to reduce energy use, to build resilient houses of worship as refuges from a changing climate, and to encourage support for policies that better care for creation. También disponible en español.

Read more about the Vitality Practice of

SUSTAINABILITY

  • PLEDGE TO CARE FOR CREATION - From the Episcopal Church. The Pledge to Care for Creation is part of living as the Jesus Movement. It’s a promise to protect and renew this good Earth and all who call it home. It’s a promise to share our stories, stand with those who are most vulnerable, and live more gently on the Earth. Available in three languages.

    Get the Pledge

  • COOL CONGREGATIONS PROGRAM from Interfaith Power and Light. This stewardship program helps congregations reduce the carbon footprint of their facilities and engages their members in reducing their carbon footprint at home. The program educates, inspires, and saves money too!

    Cool Congregations

  • CREATION JUSTICE MINISTRIES - Creation Justice Ministries (formerly the National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Program) represents the creation care and environmental justice policies of major Christian denominations throughout the United States to protect and restore God's Creation. Resources include yearly and seasonal programs and resources. ​

    Creation Justice Ministries

  • THE COMMUNION FOREST - The Communion Forest is a global initiative comprising local activities of forest protection, tree growing and eco-system restoration undertaken by provinces, dioceses and individual churches across the Anglican Communion to safeguard creation.

    Anglican Communion Forest

  • ETHIOPIAN CHURCH FORESTS Nearly all of Ethiopia’s old-growth forest has disappeared. This film tells the story of Ethiopia’s church forests–pockets of lush biodiversity that surround hundreds of churches—and the efforts to protect them. Directed by Jeremy Seifert. How does this inspire your own understanding of the Church's mission to protect the creation?

    Watch the Film

  • HOLY HIKES AND THIN SPACES from Episcopal Church Foundation. Ways to understand the connection with nature and faith formation. This article describes both Holy Hikes and the work of "Wild Church".

    Read article here

  • CAN I BUY MY CHURCH? RESOURCING THE LOCAL PARISH - Article from ECF that considers other ways of stewarding church buildings and pondering a new future of Stewardship.

    Can I Buy My Church?