Earth Day Sunday 2018

(The Rev. Dr.) Margaret Bullitt-Jonas, Western MA Missioner for Creation Care, reminds us that Earth Day (April 22) falls this year on the FourthSunday of Easter. She asks, "What better day than Good Shepherd Sunday to preach about God’s love for all creation?" She also recommended The United Church of Christ's terrific resource page for EarthSunday worship services.

This year Earth Day falls on Sunday! On April 22nd, you can bring the sacred to Earth Day. Here are four different resources for making the most of this special Sunday:

Connect God’s Creation to God’s Children – The UCC Council for Climate Justice has spearheaded an interfaith effort to preach a thousand sermons in solidarity with the 21 children and youth who are suing the federal government over climate change. One of the youth plaintiffs is the son of a UCC pastor. Youth are especially encouraged to preach as part of this effort. A full webpage is devoted to call for a thousand sermons and a liturgical resource can be downloaded.
Focus on Your Local Ecosystem – Creation Justice Ministries has created materials for Earth Sunday on the theme "Sense of Place." Develop a worship service that reflects on living in harmony with local ecosystems and watersheds, rightly sharing places with a diversity of people, and respecting the history of your place.
Climate Action Week – Interfaith Power & Light shares a wealth of resources for its Climate Action Week that runs from April 14th to the 22nd. This year their theme is Charged with Faith: Leading the Way to a Clean Energy Future. A toolkit is available along with online worship resources and more.
Share Our Love of Creation Video – In worship or out of worship, share this video that the UCC made in collaboration with Blessed Tomorrow.