Lead on Climate, Start with Worship

I love my church, the community, education, the outreach programs, and the worship. My church has a vibrant and active green team and incorporates sustainability into most aspects of the church life. And yet, every week I sit in worship wondering if environmental topics will be included in a prayer, liturgy, communion, or the sermon. And rarely are they.

These three things are true:

Our sacred scriptures and religious traditions teach us that the earth is sacred, imbued with divinity, and that humans have the responsibility to tend, keep, and protect, as well as, learn from and worship with creation.
The impacts of climate change, from extreme heat to severe storms, are increasing in number and intensity every year.
We are part of the majority of Americans who are concerned about climate change (1) and believe we have a moral responsibility to create a safe and healthy climate for ourselves and our children (2).

And yet, few of us are hearing prayers, liturgies, or sermons that include nature, creation, or climate with any regularity, and 41% say there is no discussion of climate change in their religious services at all (3).

ecoAmerica’s recent report, in partnership with the American Psychological Association, found that people are influenced by the groups they belong to, such as religious communities, and take cues from these groups to determine what behaviors are normal or supported (4). When religious services include climate as central to their identity, they send a clear signal: concern is widespread, action is expected, and change is possible.

Faith leaders who integrate creation and climate into their prayers, liturgies, sermons, writings, and education make a marked difference in the lives and faith of their members, and support climate action.

To support faith leaders, Blessed Tomorrow launched a NEW RESOURCE that supports integrating the themes of the film series, Caring for the Earth: Stories from Faith Communities into religious services. This Worship + Sermon Kit includes suggested scripture passages with exegetical reflections and contextual questions, and prayers, poems, images, children’s moment framing and more. Plan a 6-week series or pick and choose what works best for your community. Everyone who signs up for the film series has access to the Worship + Sermon Kit as well as the full Guide for leading discussions on the film series.

Share this resource with the worship leaders at your congregation, and join me in helping people of faith connect their faith to climate action!

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