"For God’s sake, standing alongside marginalized, vulnerable peoples, we will advocate and act to repair Creation and seek the liberation and flourishing of all people." The Episcopal Church, Creation Care Ministries - Liberating Advocacy

The Commission on the Integrity of Creation is adding "Advocate" to our tagline, since advocacy is a step beyond many of the actions that most of us consider when we decide that we want to take action for the planet. But what do we mean by advocacy and why is it important to engage in this way? And how do we address the common concern that advocacy can be seen as political?

The following comments are excerpted from a presentation by the Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas, former (retired) Missioner for Creation Care for the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts.

Margaret shares that “Some Christians worry that climate change is a partisan issue and that churches should stay out of politics. But being politically engaged and joining the struggle for political and ecological justice is fundamental to being a Christian.”

She offers these suggestions for becoming a public advocate for climate health:

• Vote and encourage others to vote. Many people who are concerned about the environment fail to show up at the polls!
• Contact decision makers...emails, calls, letters, visit in person. Climate lobbying can actually be a spiritual practice.
• Get published – write letters to the editor, opinion pieces, write about the spiritual and moral call to tackle climate change and share the good news about what our congregations are doing.
• Testify at public hearings – when policy decisions are being made we often have an opportunity to share our opinions as people of faith. A spiritual and moral perspective is often missing from public debate.
• Pray – plan special prayer services that focus on climate change – in our churches, ecumenical services that name our hopes and share our grief. People who would normally not set foot in a church may be willing to attend an outdoor service of lament for our planet.
• Engage in direct action – boycotts, divestment, marches, sit-ins, rallies, and nonviolent direct action. The goal is to disrupt an unjust system. Direct action is not only effective but can be both fun and meaningful.

Margaret concludes her remarks with the following challenge: "Global warming is the moral crisis of our time. How is God calling you to advocate for a stable climate in a world in which all children thrive?"

From the Episcopal Church - resources and newsletters:

• Episcopal Public Policy Network - Office of Government Relations
• Creation Care - Liberating Advocacy
• Social Justice and Advocacy Engagement
• Episcopal Church EcoJustice Resolutions

Agencies endorsed by TEC - sign up for newsletters and alerts

• Interfaith Power and Light
• Greenfaith
• Blessed Tomorrow
• Poor People's Campaign
• Creation Justice Ministries

Sign up for the monthly newsletter from The Episcopal Church Creation Care team and visit the Commission's webpage for more resources.

Consider this list from the great climate communicator Dr. Katharine Hayhoe when making your plans for climate action in 2025:

• Start a conversation about why climate change matters and what people can do about it
• Join a climate action group to amplify your voice and others
• Consider where you keep and how you spend your money (including your bank, credit card, retirement, and purchases)
• Spark ideas for change at work, school, church, or any other organization you are part of
• Hold politicians at every level accountable by voting and by telling them why climate change matters and what you want them to do about it (this includes showing up at town hall meetings!)
• Reduce your personal footprint and make your actions contagious by talking about them with people you know and encouraging them to do the same

The Sierra Club offers additional suggestions as we begin the new year, including actions to live sustainably, advocate for the planet, explore natural spaces, and don't forget to tap into your networks...like the Commission on the integrity of Creation!

Province IV and V Monthly Environmental Gathering

January Gathering: Monday, January 13 at Noon (CT)

Join the meeting to learn and exchange ideas with environmental advocates from around the Episcopal Church.

What We've Been Reading

"Stopping Climate Change Is Hopeless. Let’s Do It."

It begins with how we live our lives every moment of every day.

By Auden Schendler and Andrew P. Jones for the New York TImes

This opinion piece from 2018 addresses why we need to keep working to care for creation, even when everything seems hopeless. We must commit to work for compassion and climate justice wherever we are in this world, for as long as we live.

An excerpt: “Solving climate change presents humanity with the opportunity to save civilization from collapse and create aspects of what the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. called 'the beloved community.' The work would endow our lives with some of the oldest and most numinous aspirations of humankind: leading a good life; treating our neighbors well; imbuing our short existence with timeless ideas like grace, dignity, respect, tolerance and love. The climate struggle embodies the essence of what it means to be human, which is that we strive for the divine. Perhaps the rewards of solving climate change are so compelling, so nurturing and so natural a piece of the human soul that we can’t help but do it.”

You are invited to join Gulf Coast Creation Care in reading What If We Get It Right? by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson. The group will meet monthly by Zoom to discuss. Email GCCC if you are interested. Take 10 minutes to watch "How to Find Joy in Climate Action," Dr. Johnson's TED talk that has been viewed over 2 million times.

What We've Been Writing

Click here to enjoy an essay by Commission member Dr. Frank Gilliam, who makes a case for Creation Care as a biblical mandate. The essay was published in the St. Christopher's, Pensacola church newsletter, The Lantern.