Suggested Practices and Examples for Implementation:

• Incorporate creation-centered songs/hymns, poetry, scripture, readings, etc., into worship.
  • Ex. The Abrahamic Creation-centered prayerbook, Praying with The Earth: A Prayerbook for Peace, by John Phillip Newell, is a great book to draw from.
• Offer a special children’s moment/children’s sermon focused on caring for creation during Earth Month (April) or the Christian “Season of Creation,” in September.
• Preach a special sermon or homily calling for creation care in honor of Earth Day.
  • Check out example sermons here.
• Host an Earth Day Vigil–a special prayer service for creation.
  • Pray for God’s non-human creation (i.e. bodies of water, threatened and endangered species, etc.) and all those harmed by ecological crisis.
  • Consider providing packets of native plant seeds for children and members to take home after the service as an emblem of hope.
• Partner with another congregation to have a shared creation-centered worship service.
• Display environmental resources outside the sanctuary for interested members to use, such as books (like those listed on our education page), seed packets, worksheets, brochures, event announcements, etc.
• Provide opportunities for worship in outdoor spaces.
• Host an animal/pet blessing service. 
  • Christian communities often hold these services in October around the Feast Day of St. Francis (October 4th). 

General Information Related to this Strategy:

• Example Sermons from One Home, One Future
• Multi-Faith Preaching Resources from One Home, One Future
• Multi-Faith Resources for Worship Planning from One Home, One Future
• Resource Guide for planning Creation-centered worship services
• Interfaith prayers for Creation
• Prayers for our environment (predominately Christian)
• The Green Seminary Initiative: Resources for liturgy, ritual, and worship
• Creation themes throughout scripture
• Liturgy for the Season of Creation
• Creation hymns and worship music
• NC Interfaith Power & Light: Worship Resources
• Blessed Tomorrow: Let’s Talk FAITH & CLIMATE 

Local Faith Communities Currently Utilizing this Strategy:

• High Country United Church of Christ, Vilas, NC
  • Contact Rev. Tamara Franks: pastor@highcountryucc.org
• First Baptist Church, Asheville, NC
  • Contact Brenda Denton: Bbelle2001@gmail.com
• Skyland United Methodist Church, Asheville, NC
  • Janet Mitchell jloumitchell@yahoo.com
• First Christian Church Black Mountain
  • Rev. Bill Moore
• Trinity Presbyterian Church, Hendersonville
  • Enrique Sanchez
• First Congregational Church Tryon
  • Rev. Meghan Young
• First Presbyterian Church Spruce Pine
  • Rev. Michael Poulos 
• First Presbyterian Church Asheville
  • Jane Laping
• Jubilee! Community Church, Asheville
  • Chas Jansen 
• Cullowhee Baptist Church, Cullowhee
  • Revs. Tonya & Jeffrey Vickery