Stewardship of our Environment

"Speak to the earth and let it teach you."

Job 12:8

Environmental Stewardship in the Diocese of Maine

The Environmental Stewardship office provides the parishes and individuals in the Diocese of Maine with educational, liturgical and action ideas to facilitate our commitment to the stewardship of Creation. We --

assist parishes with environmental stewardship, such as how to set up a "Green Team"
work with the Diocese of Maine's social justice ministries
coordinate efforts with the Maine Council of Churches, Maine Interfaith Power & Light, the Episcopal Environmental Network (EpEN) and other faith-based environmental justice networks
provide resources and information on environmental stewardship, including liturgical resources
represent the Diocese of Maine's environmental stewardship program at secular and denominational meetings, including the Maine Council of Churches' Eco-Justice Working Group

For more information, please contact the Rev. Martha Kirkpatrick, Missioner for Environmental Stewardship at mkirkpatrick@episcopalmaine.org

!! UPCOMING, TIMELY EVENT -- ENERGY AUDIT TRAINING FOR PARISHES !!

A.J. Ballard, Energy Consultant with Efficiency Maine, will conduct a training session on energy audits for churches, Tuesday, August 12 from 1 - 4 p.m. at Christ Church, Gardiner. If you are a warden, sextant, or anyone responsible for the management of church buildings, this training is for you! Efficiency Maine will present information on what to look for from an energy audit, conduct a "walk through" of common places for energy loss and opportunities for conservation, and answer questions. There will also be an opportunity to sign up to have an energy audit of your church. If you plan on attending, please contact The Rev. Martha Kirkpatrick at mkirkpatrick@episcopalmaine.org so we can know how many people to plan for.

With heating oil costs going higher and higher, it is helpful to know where there is useful information especially designed for churches. Click on this link to the Energy Star Small Business and Congregations for helpful resources and tools.

Interesting things:

See Beliefnet's St. Patrick's Breastplate joining together nature images, Celtic music and an ancient Christian prayer.

Check out the "News" tab for links to new NASA study on global climate change.

Environmental Stewardship - from the Episcopal Church

The Peace and Justice Ministries Office in the Episcopal Church of the USA focuses on Environmental Stewardship through its active participation in the ecumenical Eco-Justice Working Group of the National Council of Churches and by providing liaison support to the Episcopal Ecological Network. The Eco-Justice Working Group sponsors a bi-annual conference, publishes an annual Earth Day resource, is actively involved in issues of energy, stewardship and global warming, and works with seminaries and youth to raise the issues of environmental stewardship.

The Episcopal Ecological Network (EpEN), the grassroots network of Episcopalians from around the country, is helping the Church advocate and articulate protection of the environment and preserving the sanctity of creation. The Network's current priorities include: the development of materials and activities which promote the spiritual foundations of ecological protection; helping to implement the 71st General Convention resolution calling for the greening of General Convention and Executive Council meetings, as well as work for the greening of Episcopal conference centers; and actively working with congregations and dioceses around energy conservation issues.

Other Helpful Links:

Earth Talk Today
National Council of Churches of Christ Eco-Justice Programs
National Church, Environmental Stewardship
Episcopal Diocese of Washington, Environmental Committee
For Maine State Government information on the environment, see www.maine.gov/dep
For Federal Government information on the environment, see www.epa.gov

Earth Ministry
Evangelical Environmental Network
The National Religious Partnership for the Environment
Greenfaith