wfn.org | [ENS] Earth Day focus set on 'Sacred Oceans and Seas' (Daybook)

["Matthew Davies" <mdavies@episcopalchurch.org>]

Daybook, from Episcopal News Service

April 4, 2005 -- Monday Mission

[FEAST: Faith, Environment, Action, Science, Technology]

Earth Day focus set on 'Sacred Oceans and Seas'

National Council of Churches offers resources for April 24 Earth Day
Sunday;
April 22 is 35th annual Earth Day

[ENS] -- With a weekend of environmental awareness and advocacy nearing
for
Episcopalians and the wider world community April 22-24, the National
Council of Churches (NCC) is providing congregations with study
resources
exploring "Sacred Oceans and Seas."

The 35th anniversary observance of Earth Day is Friday, April 22 -- and
year-round care for God's creation is the mission of the Environmental
Stewardship ministries based at the Episcopal Church Center, New York.
Among
these efforts is on-going participation in the NCC Eco-justice Programs,
outlined online at www.nccecojustice.org.

Through the NCC Eco-justice website, resources are offered for the use
of
congregations and individuals on Earth Day Sunday, April 24, or on
another
designated day.

"Thanking and praising God for the beauty of God's creation is an
essential
part of our ongoing faith journey and worship experience," the
Eco-justice
website states. "Each year we dedicate one Sunday for creation
stewardship
and the Earth Day celebration. The emphasis for 2005 is on God's sacred
oceans and seas."

The 2005 resource packet offers:
* Basics on oceans and seas, sermon starter, adult study, and youth
education ideas (pdf file)
* Sample liturgy/call to worship Bulletin Insert (pdf file)
* Ideas for personal, congregational, and community action

On-going partnership

In addition to publishing its annual Earth Day resource, the Eco-Justice
Working Group sponsors a bi-annual conference. The group also actively
addresses issues of energy, stewardship and global warming, and works
with
seminaries and youth to raise the issues of environmental stewardship.

Participation in the NCC Eco-justice Working Group is part of the
Episcopal
Church's on-going Environmental Stewardship program coordinated through
the
Peace and Justice Ministries Office at the Episcopal Church Center in
New
York [http://www.episcopalchurch.org/peace-justice].

The goal of the Environmental Stewardship office is to provide to
dioceses,
congregations and individuals, educational, liturgical and action ideas
to
facilitate the Episcopal Church's commitment to stewardship of Creation.
The
office also works closely with the Episcopal Ecological Network.

Further information may be obtained from Environmental Stewardship staff
consultant Martha Gardner by e-mail (mgardner@episcopalchurch.org) or
telephone (800.334.7626, ext. 6056).

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