Published by the Eco-Justice Working Group of the
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA

Strategies on Global Climate Change for People of Faith

Consider the strategies listed below. Work as closely as you can with and through people from your congregation, your denomination's regional body, and/or your community's or region's ecumenical organizations.

There is so much that needs to be done; more than any one person can possibly do. The important thing is that we each begin by doing what we can in a way that is suited to who we are.

1. Read the briefing paper and the two booklets. Share these materials with some friends and get together to talk about the issues. It will help you to become familiar with the issues by talking about them with your friends.

2. In your own congregation, consider how and by whom climate warming as a religious issue can best be introduced - a minister during worship? adult religious education? a social issues forum? a social action committee? Which of the materials would best be used for this purpose? How can you form a small working group on climate change as a religious issue? Be in contact with the person in your regional or national body with responsibility for environmental justice ministries. If you need information about who to contact in your denomination, check http://www.webofcreation.org/ncc/Wglist.html or call the NCCC at 212/870-2386.

3. Use the video "God's Creation and Global Warming." It is an excellent tool for introducing the issue. Show it to an adult church school class, the women's and men's organization, the Senior High Fellowship etc. It is available from 800-762-0968 for $10.00. The order number is EJ0017.

4. Urge your congregation to use less energy by making your buildings more energy efficient. Give a copy of the "Energy Stewardship Guide for Congregations" to your Property Committee and others who are responsible for your buildings. These steps do reduce your greenhouse gas emissions.

5. Review the enclosed "Global Climate Change Campaigns" brochure. If your congregation is in one of the 18 states where there are interfaith climate change campaigns, call or email the coordinator to see how you can participate in your state's campaign.

6. Make a list of congregations in your community and/or your denomination that are already active with environmental justice issues, or that are active with other community and social issues. Begin with the congregation you think would be most receptive. Here's one approach:

a) Call someone you know in the congregation, or call the church office. Ask some questions like the following:

• Is there a member of the congregation already identified with environmental issues?
• If the congregation has more than one minister, which would be most appropriate to contact about this issue?
• Who is responsible for adult religious education? Has creation care been included in the curriculum?
• Is there a social issues forum or social action committee, and if so who is the leader?
• Who is responsible for property management decisions? Have steps already been taken to reduce energy use?
  

Get names and phone numbers! Seek help deciding who would be the best person to contact initially.

b) Schedule an appointment with this person.

• Tell them of your personal concerns about climate change as a religious issue.
• Tell them it is a priority issue for your denomination's environmental justice leaders.
• Show them the materials that are available.
• Ask which of the resources would best serve to introduce the issue in the congregation and who in the congregation has responsibility about deciding to use them. Ask for help in approaching these people. See where this leads.

c) Make follow-up contact with the people you meet. Suggest to them that they contact the person in their regional or national body with responsibilities for environmental justice ministries. The NCCC office (212/870-2385) is always available for information on who to contact.

7. Try to place the enclosed op-ed article, "Global Climate Change: A Religious Issue," in newspapers in your area, or consider whether there is a prominent local church leader willing to use Dr. Edgar's articule as a basis for an article he or she would submit. Call the editorial office of your local newspaper to arrange to show them the article. Ask them what process they use for placing op-eds. Follow the process.

8. Consider organizing a letter-writing project with members of your congregation, and if possible, with members of other congregations as well, to your Senators and your Representative in Congress. Ask each person to state in their own words that global warming is a religious issue, that the U.S. needs to participate in strong and fair international agreements such as the Kyoto Protocol, and adopt strong national policies to deal with global warming. Use the briefing paper to provide people with background information for letter-writing.

9. Consider organizing a visit of church leaders and members to your U.S. Senators when they are home in your state. Call the Senators' offices closest to you to arrange for the visit. Consider whom to include in the delegation: church members, pastors, regional religious leaders (bishops, conference ministers, presbytery executives, etc.)

To repeat what is written above, there is so much that needs to be done - more than any one person can possibly do. The important thing is that we each begin by doing what we can in a way that is suited to who we are.

Thank you for whatever you are able to do to help heal and protect God's creation.

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