Worship Experiences

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Planting Seeds: Focus on care for Creation during special services, such as on Earth Day or Creation Sunday

Suggested Practices and Examples for Implementation:

  • Incorporate Creation-centered songs/hymns, poetry, scripture, readings, etc. in worship
    • 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
  • Earth Day sermon, homily, or other proclamation
  • Host an Earth Day vigil
  • Host a prayer breakfast/lunch with time for Q&A
  • Provide packets of native plant seeds for children and members to take home after a service
  • Partner with another congregation to have a shared Creation-centered worship service
  • Have a table with environmental resources that interested members can use, such as books (like Serve God, Save the Planet), seed packets, worksheets, brochures, event announcements, etc.

General Information Related to this Strategy:

Local Faith Communities Currently Utilizing this Strategy:

Nurturing Growth: Include reflections and messages centered on Creation in worship at least once per season

Suggested Practices and Examples for Implementation:

  • Offer a sermon series on Creation or stewardship
  • Observe the Season of Creation in September with a 4-week series around care for and love of Creation
  • Incorporate songs/hymns that celebrate Creation more regularly in worship
  • Invite your faith community to offer prayers around environmental concerns during worship experiences
  • Participate in a Lent carbon fast
  • Provide opportunities for worship in outdoor spaces
  • Center calls to worship around Creation

General Information Related to this Strategy:

Local Faith Communities Currently Utilizing this Strategy:

Deepening Roots: Make regular reference to Creation in worship experiences throughout the year

Suggested Practices and Examples for Implementation:

  • Creation is included in messages around social justice, love for our neighbors, our call to offer compassion, etc.
  • Provide opportunities for worship in outdoor spaces
  • Utilize songs, hymns, and music that references Creation
  • Regularly share with your faith community steps you are all taking to care for Creation
  • Engage youth and children with activities where they get into nature, such as conferences, weekly youth gatherings, volunteer opportunities

General Information Related to this Strategy:

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