Green Team

For Such a Time as This”

– Esther 4:14

In this era of ecological, social and political turmoil, one might ponder “how are we of the Lutheran tradition putting our faith values into action?” One answer comes in the form of “Living Lutheran,” the magazine of the ECLA, which devoted nearly its entire August issue to “Care for Creation.”

In an article titled “A Call to Heal Creation,” author Robert C. Blezard talks about the origins and evolution of eco-theology within the ELCA. Grounded in scripture, the early ELCA adopted its social statement, “Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope and Justice” in 1993. Since that time, the ELCA has grown in its mission to help Lutherans around the world understand and take action in our calling to care for all who are part of God’s creation.

In particular, the article makes an important connection, describing how environmental issues exacerbate problems across a wide range of ELCA ministries. Some examples include:

  • impacts of increasing natural disasters due to climate change on the work of Lutheran Disaster Response;
  • how increasing severity of droughts and flooding impact the ELCA World Hunger program; and so on.

Ruth Ivory-Moore, ELCA Advocacy’s Program Director for Environment and Corporate Social Responsibility, states of these impacts, “It’s a common thread that runs through every other policy that we have.”

A second article, “Congregations Go Green” by Cindy Uken, highlights the work of individual ELCA congregations across the country in fostering environmental stewardship. Like St. Matthew, churches are taking steps to reduce their own eco-footprint (updating to energy-efficient heating, cooling and insulation; upgrading to LED lighting; installing rooftop solar), as well as connecting with their broader communities on issues ranging from recycling to climate justice. While each effort has a relatively small impact, together we create power and real change in our collective actions. Other articles relate stories of how the ELCA and its members are connecting their faith to their work in creating sustainable, schools and farms, protecting resources in developing countries, and even conducting Arctic research.

The work of the ELCA in fostering creation care has allowed it to grow in its overall ministries. As an example, Rick Steves (of PBS travel fame) has started a Climate Smart Commitment initiative, which invests its self-imposed $1 million annual “carbon tax” in a number of organizations to help fight climate change, including ELCA World Hunger. Also, it is no coincidence that this issue includes stories about a just and equitable recovery from COVID-19, and meeting the challenge of social unrest, all united under the common theme of Editor’s opening message, “Called to Live in Hope.”

Please take some time to check out the links below, where you can read the August “Living Lutheran” issue. You can also learn more about ELCA and partner initiatives in caring for our world, and ways you can become involved:

—Brian Lestini, chair

Next Zoom Green Team Mtg. 9/28, 7PM