In a letter to the church sent out today, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) National Bishop Susan C. Johnson encourages ELCIC members and congregations to, “consider making time between now and October 1 for an intentional time of prayer, reflection and action for climate justice.”
Several resources for individual and congregational use are included in the letter to the church.
The text of Bishop Johnson’s letter follows. View a pdf version here: https://www.elcic.ca/Documents/201409ClimateAction.pdf
September 11, 2014
Dear friends in Christ,
Grace to you and peace in the name of Christ our Saviour!
I am writing today to invite you and your congregation to consider making time between now and October 1 for an intentional time of prayer, reflection and action for climate justice.
As I travel across our church and visit with our partners, I am aware of how many people share a concern for climate justice. Most recently, at the June 2014 Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Council meeting member churches were challenged to increase awareness of climate justice issues.
On the first day of each month, I – along with many people in our church and globally – participate in a fast (#fastfortheclimate) and pray for climate justice and for the people most affected by climate change. This regular discipline keeps climate justice issues close to my heart and mind.
Government leaders from across the globe will be meeting in New York City for a one-day United Nations climate summit on September 23. There is a growing movement to encourage the work of these leaders, both with prayers and with a massive, united call for climate justice and a strong climate treaty. This includes a Global Day of Action on September 20-21.
Through our ecumenical partners, there are a variety of ways for you to engage these matters:
- Consider participating in the People’s Climate March (peoplesclimate.org/global) on September 21 as a way of expressing a united call for climate justice. KAIROS has several suggestions for engagement (kairoscanada.org/sustainability/climate-justice/peoplesclimatemarch/).
- On Sunday, September 21 – consider what could take place at your congregation through worship, prayer and reflection. Citizens for Public Justice (cpj.ca), in collaboration with the Canadian Council of Churches, have created resources for faith communities (cpj.ca/climate) specifically related to the UN Summit.
- Join me in prayer on the first of every month through the #fastfortheclimate campaign. Visit the Canadian website for climate fast (climatefast.ca).
- Share your good practices for becoming sustainable and eco-friendly, on the LWF Climate Justice Facebook page (facebook.com/LWFforclimatejustice?ref=br_rs).
Climate change is an issue that involves us all. I encourage you to consider ways to get involved both individually and with your congregation in prayer, reflection and action for climate justice.
Yours in Christ,
The Rev. Susan C. Johnson
National Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 145,376 baptized members in 594 congregations. It is a member of the Lutheran World Federation, the Canadian Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches.
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