wfn.org | NCCCUSA Earth Day Mailing

[CAROL_FOUKE.parti@ecunet.org (CAROL FOUKE)]

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.
Internet: news@ncccusa.org

Contact: Wendy S. McDowell, NCC, 212-870-2227

6NCC1/20/99           FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NCC EARTH DAY MAILING ON CONSUMERISM GOES TO 85,000 
CONGREGATIONS

 NEW YORK, Jan. 20 ---- A National Council of 
Churches (NCC) mailing on consumerism, which encourages 
people of faith to live more simply by reducing their 
consumption of resources and manufactured goods, has been 
sent to 85,000 congregations in preparation for Earth Day 
(April 22, 1999).

 "For Christians, consumerism is a religious issue 
for a number of reasons having to do both with justice 
for the world's poor and justice for all creation," said 
the Rev. Richard Killmer, Director of the NCC's 
Environmental Justice Office.   "We in the United States 
consume a disproportionate amount of the world's 
resources while the poor of the world, including those in 
the United States, consume less than they need. But human 
beings did not create nor do we own the earth.  So we 
need to use the resources of creation carefully to 
witness that we care about creation and about justice and 
fairness for all people."

"Consumerism is also important in terms of what it 
does to us," Rev. Killmer added.  "When we define 
ourselves by what we buy and by what we consume, this is 
a very different idea of humanity than the one defined by 
God and our faith.  Jesus taught us that our first task 
is to seek God's kingdom."

Suggestions for ways to cut consumption include 
giving gifts of time or skills instead of expensive 
things for Christmas; saving energy in the home, and 
choosing public transportation, walking or bicycling 
instead of driving a car.

The 1999 Earth Day mailing includes:
  Two church bulletin inserts to be placed Sunday, 
April 25, 1999, entitled "Salvation Through 
Overconsumption?" and "Consumption and Compassion: 
Ecology and Equity."
  Sermon notes on "Living Simply: Imperative Now," 
drawing on Matthew 6: 25-33 and describing 
Christian simplicity as something which "enables 
us to live lives of integrity" and "not a faddish 
attempt to respond to the ecological crisis that 
is threatening us now."
  Worship suggestions for the Sunday following Earth 
Day (April 25, 1999).  Suggestions include 
incorporating natural elements into the service; 
planning to have youth assist as much as possible, 
and using this Sunday as a time to bless pets.  
Congregations are also encouraged to expand the 
offerings section to include commitments of change 
to be more ecologically responsible and letters to 
Congress on issues like global warming. 
  A resource list of materials on consumption and 
environmental justice available from Environmental 
Justice Resources, NCC, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, 
Indiana 46515-0968; 1-800-762-0968.  Simple living 
web sites also are listed.
  The Environmental Justice Covenant Congregation 
form, a tool through which the governing body of a 
congregation makes a promise that its congregation 
will be engaged in environ-mental ministries.  Two 
pages of suggestions for implementing the covenant 
are included.

 Copies of the Earth Day mailing are available for 50 
cents.  Ask for EJ9935 at 800-762-0968.  The contents 
will also be accessible on www.webofcreation.org

-end-
 -0-