Environmental education can be even more effective when addressed in a congregation or religious setting, because these are the places we connect most deeply with our values. Below are some resources, tools and tactics for getting your congregants informed about climate change and what our faith traditions teach about caring for Creation.
Setting Up an Environmental Ministry in Your House of Worship
This step-by-step guide produced by CIPL will help you set up for set up an environmental ministry or “Green Team” in your congregation.
Screen a Film or Host a Movie Night
Screening a film is an excellent way to bring in your congregational and community members for fellowship and discussion about pressing current environmental topics. Check out:
Films and DVDs on the national Interfaith Power & Light website. From “Happening” to “Before the Flood” to “Journey of the Universe”, this list of documentaries is sure to keep your congregation engaged for a while!
Renewal: Produced by Marty Ostrow, and featuring IPL founder The Rev. Sally Bingham, this is one of the first documentaries to outline the faith community’s involvement in caring for Creation. It contains eight inspiring stories of active engagement by diverse faith leaders.
Educational Resources, Teaching Guides, and Reference
Whether you need a year-long curriculum for your high school class, a one-day lesson plan for Sunday School, or books to use in adult education, there’s no shortage of resources that address climate change and Creation care. Below are a few links to help you plan. (Find these useful? Something else you’ve used that we should know about? Let us hear from you at info@interfaithpower.org).
Educational Materials for Children & Youth
Books and Booklets: Excellent for a congregation’s library and/or for a book club, check out this list of recommendations by IPL.
Religious Statements on Climate Change : Includes statements from major religions, including Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Unitarian Universalist.
See the Resources Page on the Interfaith Power & Light website for even more information.