"In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters." Genesis 1:1-2

"Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to your life's span? And why are you anxious about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these." Matthew 6:26-29

"We see the despoiling of the environment as nothing less than the degradation of God's gracious gift of creation."

ELCA Statement “Caring for Creation”
Resolutions‎ > ‎

Resolution to become “Green Congregations”

 

Whereas, God’s first commandments to humanity are that we care for and take care of God’s good creation (Gen. 1:28 & 2:15); and

Whereas, Jesus came to bring salvation to the entire cosmos (John 3:16-17); and

Whereas, the Church, as the body of Christ in the world, is charged with calling the world to repentance and ushering in the kingdom of God; and

Whereas, “the whole creation is groaning” due to the abuse and misuse of God’s good creation by humanity;

THEreFORE BE IT Resolved, that the congregations of the Northern Illinois Synod be encouraged to become “green congregations” by forming a Green Team in the congregation that will:

  1. Evaluate the building and grounds of the congregation and take a minimum of two steps each year to help reduce the congregation’s negative impact upon the environment,
  2. Educate and encourage its membership on the ways in which they can help care for God’s creation in their everyday lives by living simply and walking lightly on the earth, and
  3. Communicate with and respond to the work of the Northern Illinois Synod Green Team.

 

 

Submitted by: Synod Green Team

Contact Person:  Pastor Don Knowles or Pastor Jeff Schlesinger

Date Received:  April 10, 2008

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Action of the Resolution Committee

 

Date of Action:  April 25, 2008

Action Taken:  Recommend Adoption

 

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