Stewardship Message
Witness for Planet Earth
You make me lie down in green pastures; you lead me beside still waters; you restore my soul. You lead me in right paths for your
name's sake. from Psalm 23
I remember the first Earth Day environmental teach-in on April 22, 1970 in which over 20 million people participated nation-wide. On that mercifully mild spring day, the walkways of my college campus were lined with booths teaching earth-friendly practices. I went home full of enthusiasm and ideas.
I still believe my choices make a difference. Every action – turning down the thermostat, recycling, investing in energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs, or writing a message to encourage others – is my psalm of thanksgiving, a step along “right paths.”
This year we are ONE UNITED CHURCH on a shared resurrection witness for Planet Earth during 50 great days of greening up, powering down, and shouting out. Launching on Easter Monday, April 1, 2013, and continuing through the great 50 days of Eastertide, UCC congregations, colleges, seminaries, camps and outdoor ministries, and health and human service agencies will join together to collectively: offer more than ONE MILLION HOURS of engaged earth care, plant more than 100,000 TREES and write and send more than 100,000 ADVOCACY LETTERS on environmental concerns. On Pentecost Sunday we will celebrate Mission 4/1 Earth as we give to the Strengthen the Church offering. All are invited to join in at www.ucc.org/earth.
A message by Doris Powell, author of Stewards in the Household of God: a Resource for Holistic Year-round Stewardship.
April 2013 God is still speaking,
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