In a letter issued today, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada National Bishop Susan C. Johnson invites individuals and congregations to join in intentional prayer for climate justice and for world leaders who are working to forge a new international climate agreement at the upcoming UN Climate Conference (COP21) in Paris, November 30-December 11, 2015.
The text of the National Bishop’s letter follows. A pdf version can be found here: https://www.elcic.ca/Documents/201511PrayersforParis.pdf
Dear members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC):
Grace and peace to you.
The earth is the LORD’s and all that is in it,
the world, and those who live in it;
—Psalms 24:1As we lead up to the UN Climate Conference (COP21) in Paris, November 30 to December 11, 2015, I invite you to join me in intentional prayer for climate justice and for world leaders who are working to forge a new international climate agreement.
In recent months, I have had a variety of opportunities to hear people express concerns regarding the reality of climate change, including a cross-Canada Justice Tour, a Future of Life in the Arctic conference on Sami Territory in Sweden, and Lutheran World Federation council meetings.
At the 2015 ELCIC National Convention, our church affirmed the urgent need to address climate change and committed us to joining the global Christian community, people of all faiths and all people of good will on the journey for climate justice.
All of these voices have deepened my monthly participation in prayer and fasting with #fastfortheclimate. COP21 is a critical junction and has the potential to be a real turning point for the fate of creation. As people of faith, our prayers encourage leaders in their work and responsibility and they help us to discern our own opportunities to address climate change.
You are encouraged to participate in Prayers for Paris—prayers and action for climate justice, a collection of resources and activities to support faith action on climate change. Prayers for Paris includes worship materials (in particular, designed for November 29, 2015—the first Sunday in Advent and the eve of the Paris negotiations), a cross-Canada prayer chain, and a call for climate action. Find these resources and further information here: www.cpj.ca/climate.
I signed up for the prayer chain on Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. EST. I invite all members of the ELCIC to join me in praying during this time. I invite you to add your own name or the name of your congregation to the prayer chain.
Thank you for your deep love for God’s world and for your partnership in our church In Mission for Others. May God bless us and guide us during this time of prayer.
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 114,592 baptized members in 525 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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