wfn.org | NCCCUSA Environmental Justice Covenant

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

NCCCUSA Invites Congregations to Environmental Justice Covenant
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.
Inernet: c/o carol_fouke.parti@ecunet.org

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

NCC9/26/97  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NCC INVITES CONGREGATIONS TO "ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE 
COVENANT"

 NEW YORK, Sept. 26 ---- Local congregations across the 
United States are being invited to make a promise to engage 
in environmental ministries through worship, learning, 
lifestyle changes and community involvement.

 "This `covenant congregation' program is necessary if 
the church is to take the task of restoring and protecting 
God's creation seriously," said the Rev. Richard Killmer, 
Environmental Justice Program Director for the National 
Council of Churches (NCC).  The NCC's Eco-Justice Working 
Group is sponsoring the program.

"As church people become more aware of the challenge of 
environmental degradation, this is the ideal time for 
recommitment to and new support for environmental justice 
ministries," Rev. Killmer said.

 "We know from experience that when a congregation or 
its governing body makes a public promise to engage in a 
particular mission effort, then that mission is energized, 
focused and receives a broader based of support," Rev. 
Killmer explained.  The program is modeled after a 
successful Presbyterian program which encourages 
congregations to make a "commitment to peacemaking."

 The program is designed to be adapted by denominations 
and by local congregations .  "For instance, the 
Swedenborgian Church already has decided to change the 
program to make it their own," Rev. Killmer said, "and that 
is exactly what we want denominations and congregations to 
do."

In the "Environmental Justice Covenant Congregation 
Program" congregations vote to covenant and then sign on to 
an official form.  The program suggests four categories of 
environmental justice ministries along with concrete 
programmatic suggestions in each category, including:

WORSHIP
  For each person baptized, plant a tree in the church 
yard or community.  Suggest that church members 
contribute trees as a living memorial to loved ones 
who have died.
  In the autumn, hold a special worship service of 
thanksgiving for the harvest.
  Confess to God as individuals and a congregation 
your own involvement in exploiting and neglecting 
the world that God created and called good.

 LEARNING AND TEACHING
  Purchase books and videos for the church library 
that deal with protecting and healing God's 
creation.  A list of books and other resources can 
be found in God's Earth, Our Home (a packet of 
environmental justice information available from 
Environmental Justice Resources, NCC, PO Box 968, 
Elkhart, Indiana 46515, 800-762-0968 or 219-264-
3102).
  Hold church school classes outside whenever 
possible.  Discover ways that you can learn from 
nature.
  Take a field trip.  Tour your town's garbage dump, 
water supply, sewage treatment plant, recycling 
center, and power plant.  Follow up on the tours by 
writing a report for your church newsletter or your 
community newspaper.

 LIFESTYLE
  At Christmastime, give a birthday gift to Jesus by 
sharing 25% of your Christmas budget with the needy.  
Respect the environment in the gifts you select.
  Leave your car at home whenever possible.
  Conduct a thorough audit of the energy use in your 
church buildings and programs.  Look for ways that 
energy can be saved.
  Study your church grounds for ways to create an 
earth-friendly environment.

 COMMUNITY, NATIONAL and GLOBAL INVOLVEMENT
  Learn about environmental racism, the 
disproportionate impact of environmental 
contamination on communities of color.
  Keep track of how your governmental leaders vote on 
environmental issues.
  Explore ways of getting media coverage for an 
environmental issue that concerns you.  Letters to 
the editor, paid advertisements, and public service 
announcements are avenues open to everyone.

 Environmental justice covenant congregation packets 
already have been sent to 6,300 recipients, including 
environmental justice coordinators and other pastors and 
laypeople who have provided leadership around this issue.  
Rev. Killmer said he expects the program to gather steam as 
the word gets out at national, regional and local events.

 For a free copy of the covenant congregation packet, 
please contact Environmental Justice Resources, NCC, PO Box 
968, Elkhart, Indiana 46515, 800-762-0968 or 219-264-3102.  
For more information about the program, contact the NCC's 
Environmental Justice office at 212-870-2385.
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