“Make Earth Day a Church Day”
April 22, 2012
Earth Day falls on Sunday this year, and people around the world will be celebrating Earth Week events April 16-22. Here are some simple tools YOU can help make Earth Day a Church Day in your community:
Before Earth Day…
- Use the Blessed Earth film series to lead a Sunday school class or small group study on creation care.
- Download and share the Earth Day Tip Sheet
- Pledge at least one Creation Care Action for 2012
- Check out Serve God, Save the Planet—the single best book for changing people’s hearts about caring for God’s creation.
- Preview Almost Amish: one woman’s quest for a slower, simpler, more sustainable life. (release date April 1st). Makes a great women’s group study!
- Engage teens with It’s Easy Being Green: a student’s guide to serving God and saving the planet. Written when the author was just 15, this peer-to-peer resource was completely updated and revised in 2012.
Earth Day Events
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Tune in to the live broadcast of the events below. Or, on Sunday evening, gather together to view highlights of Blessed Earth’s National Cathedral events (available mid-afternoon) as a congregation or with a small group.
* 8:45 – Worship Service at the National Cathedral
Blessed Earth Executive Director, Matthew Sleeth, MD, will deliver the sermon message: Are Christians Blessing or Cursing the Earth—A Call to Action. Following Jesus is good for the planet—or should be. This radical principle is bringing together prophets and poets, Cathedrals and coalitions that might just be our last, best hope for saving the world. live broadcast
* 10:15 – Forum
Blessed Earth Director Matthew Sleeth and several Presidents of the nation’s largest and most influential seminaries will be officially launching the new Seminary Stewardship Alliance, a coalition pledging to preach, teach, live, and inspire creation care principles as they train our future church leaders. Dr. Sleeth will then host a conversation with internationally acclaimed poet, farmer, and activist Wendell Berry on why the church must take a leadership role in caring for God’s creation. live broadcast
* 11:15 – Second Worship Service at the National Cathedral
See 8:45 service description. live broadcast
* 1:00 – Luncheon Honoring Wendell Berry
Blessed Earth, The Washington National Cathedral, the National Religious Coalition for Creation Care, and the Earth Day Network are co-sponsoring this invitation-only luncheon, where Wendell Berry will be honored with the Steward of God’s Creation Award. Noted writer and activist Bill McKibben will help us present this annual award.
* Time TBD – Matthew Sleeth to speak live for the Earth Day Network on the Washington Mall
Dr. Sleeth will join other internationally renowned environmental figures when he speaks on stage at the Earth Day Network’s live celebration on the National Mall. For more information, please check out the Earth Day Network.
After Earth Day…
- Download and use the Earth Day tip sheet to get started
- Start or join a Green Team at your church
- Watch (or re-watch) the Earth Day Worship Service and Forum videos.
- Include a weekly creation care tip or scripture in your church bulletin.
- Plan a creation care-themed Vacation Bible School or children’s program
- Check out our Resources for Churches page with sample sermons, congregational guides for going green, links, and curricula.
- Organize a church-based event: plant a tree, lead a streambed clean-up, start a community garden, or partner your congregation with a local CSA.
- Speak with your pastor about leading a summer or fall Sunday school class/ small group study on creation care (the Blessed Earth Hope for Creation film series works great for this!)
- Encourage family and friends to download free tip sheets on the Blessed Earth website
- Share Your Story on the Blessed Earth website to inspire others
Earth Day Sponsors
