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Thanksgiving Edition 2007
New Haven, CT
Form on Religion and Ecology
Yale Univeristy, Feb. 29-March 2. This conference will feature panels and discussions that highlight the intersection of theology and practice, and premiere a new film titled 'Renewal: America's Emerging Religious Environmental Movement.' For more information, contact: tcmk@aya.yale.edu
Eco-Notes on the Lectionary
The Christian Ecology Link has produced "green" reflections on the lesson for each Sunday in the three-year cycle for the common lectionary. Click here to visit their website.
Mindful Living
From air pollution to toxic toys and cleaning products, our bodies and God's creation face a myraid of daily contaminants. Download Mindful Living: Human Health, Pollution, and Toxics to become a steward of your bodily temple and creation through worship, study, and action ideas.
Eco-Justice
Working Group
Church
of the Brethren
Environmental
Justice Office of Presbyterian Church (USA)
Presbyterian
Washington Office
Episcopal
Ecological Network
Greek
Orthodox Church in America
Luthern
Earthkeeping Network of the Synods
Reformed
Church in America
United
Church of Christ
United
Methodist Board of Church and Society
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Worship Resources for Thanksgiving!
 As
we thank God for the glorious bounty of the harvest, we can look
at ways to be good stewards of farms and farming communities. For
Thanksgiving and beyond, the NCC Eco-Justice Program is offering two resources: Our Daily Bread: Harevesters of Hope and Gardeners of Eden and At the Lord’s Table: Everyday Thanksgiving.
These resources highlights the need for justice for the land and farming
communities and includes sermon starters, liturgical pieces, adult
and youth education materials, and ideas for action. Download your
free copies here.
Challenge your Congregation to Eat Local
Host a '100-mile Potluck'
 This Fall's Adamah Challenge is to host a 100-mile potluck at your church. A 100-mile potluck is a communal meal in which participants prepare and bring the abundance of food grown or made within a 100 mile radius. This is an opportunity to support local farmers and protect creation. Click here to get your congregation involved. Every season, the NCC's Eco-Justice Program invites churches to participate in a new Adamah Challenge-a simple, but eco-friendly act that can involve an entire congregation and raise awareness about the ecological problems we face.
NLCS introduced in Congress
Wilderness Update
 In both the House and the Senate, bills recognizing and funding the National Landscape Conservation System have been introduced for debate (H.R. 2016 and S. 1139). The bill is moving fairly easily through the Senate, but is currently stuck in committee in the House. The National Landscape Conservation System was established to encompass the crown jewels of the public lands and consists of more than 26 million acres. Stewardship of the lands and wild places God has entrusted to our care is both a critical part of our call to protect creation and a responsibility shared by all citizens. Click here for more information on our Western Lands initiative, resources for worship and education, and how you can get involved.
UCC Pastor takes Toxic Test
 Do you know what chemicals are in your body? Massachusetts UCC Conference president Reverend Jim Antal is one of 35 participants in a seven state study for the presence of toxic chemicals such as phthalates, bisphenol-a, and brominated flame retardants (PBDEs). All 35 of the participants had 20 of the chemicals in their bodies. This study affirms that we all have toxic chemicals in our bodies. Reverend Antal says of his experience, “I expected that because I’m a vegetarian and have a healthy lifestyle that the levels in my body would be lower. Now, I’m wondering if the water bottle on my bike, or other things I thought were safe, are actually causing harm.” To read the report, visit www.isitinus.org. To learn more about the chemicals and Christians can respond, download the NCC environmental health resource, Mindful Living: Human Health, Pollution, and Toxics.
Green Gifts for the Holidays
 Christmas is supposed to mean 'peace on Earth', 'joy to the world' and spreading cheer. Unfortunatley, the act of gift-giving is often accompanied by hyper-consumerism and needless waste, and many gifts can add unintentional harm to God's Creation. Shop "green" this holday and give gifts that are sustainable, organic and non-toxic. Click here for some links to "Green Gift Guides".
Wilderness Photo Contest Winner!
 The NCC's Eco-Justice Program is proud to announce the winner of our first photography contest. The photo on the left was sent in by Scott Meyers of Milwaukee, WI. The photo was taken in San Jose, CA and this is what Scott has to say about it: "When I look within the wild, I see extreme diversity, even amongst single species (humans included). With little effort my eyes notice how we look different. We are different shapes. We curve in opposite directions. Our heights stop at different levels. And yet, as I reflect, we all need basic elements. Earth, wind, rain and fire might be limbs, very well, but God is the Spine that holds it all together." Click here to view a large version of the winning photo!
Learning from St. Francis...
 If you were driving by a church on October 4th and saw a procession of animals - pet dogs, cats, fish, birds, horses, etc. - in the church lawn, you probably witnessed a "Blessing of the Animals" ceremony. This practice, popular in Catholic churches and in a growing number of Protestant churches, is a way to honor the life of St. Francis as well as our relationship with our pets and other animals of the world. Francis wrote a Canticle of the Creatures, an ode to God’s living things. “All praise to you, Oh Lord, for all these brother and sister creatures.” St. Francis reminds us that humans are not the only creatures created by God. Like us, both wild and domesticated animals belong to God, and should be treated with the respect and care that a precious gift deserves. Click here to visit our new webpages dedicated to Biodiversity.
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