Unity Churches International
EarthCare Congregation Program
Overview
Section 1: Tracks for Earthcare Involvement
Section 2: The Path to Earthcare
Section 3: Suggested EarthCare Actions
FORMS
Overview
The EarthCare Team, a ministry team of the Association of Unity Churches International, has designed the EarthCare Congregation Program to assist congregations in integrating an earth-oriented spirituality into their ministry.
The program consists of three components:
• Track A: EarthCare Covenant
• Track B: EarthCare Commitment
• Track C: EarthCare Congregation Certification
Congregations may choose any of the three tracks. The tracks are designed with increasing levels of commitment
and activities, from setting an intention with the Covenant, to accomplishing some meaningful actions in the
Commitment component, to expressing EarthCare in all aspects of the ministry by becoming an EarthCare
Congregation.
Creating and adopting an EarthCare Covenant will fulfill Option 1 of Benchmark 8 of Thriving in Unity 2.0.
Regardless of the option chosen, it is important that the ministry leadership be included in discerning EarthCare
actions that are appropriate for the ministry.
We welcome questions that will help your congregation discern which component(s) of the EarthCare
Congregation Program to choose. We are also willing to support you in implementing the component(s) you
choose. Please contact us at [email protected].
Section 1: Tracks for EarthCare Involvement
An EarthCare Covenant is a sacred trust between the congregation and Spirit. A covenant expresses a conscious awareness of our oneness with creation and a commitment by the congregation to care for the earth as a significant component of the ministry.
Congregations may choose to adopt the provided EarthCare Covenant (below and Form 1) or create their own. Writing their own covenant can be extremely meaningful for the congregation as they develop their vision for the work. We suggest that the covenant be presented and signed at a ceremony involving the entire community, and posted in the ministry as a declaration of their sacred trust.
Our consciousness reveals that all of creation is connected as one. The story of creation reveals that we are to be good caregivers of the creation. As a people of faith, we commit to a renewed reverence for life and respect for the interdependent web of all existence. We honor our spiritual commitment to the care, support and defense of the balance between our individual needs and those of nature. We envision a world in which everything has intrinsic value and where all beings are assured a secure and meaningful life that is ecologically responsible and sustainable. We agree to transform our individual and congregational lives into acts of moral witness, discarding harmful habits for new behaviors that demonstrate our respect for this harmony and interconnectedness. We declare our covenant with God to walk upon the Earth for the greatest good of all creation.
Before the Covenant has been approved by the congregation, the Notice of Initiation (Form 2) may be submitted to the EarthCare Team. After the Covenant has been adopted, they may submit the Notice of Completion (Form 4). While these notifications are voluntary, doing so allows the EarthCare Team to honor, recognize, and support congregations that have adopted an EarthCare Covenant through issuance of an “Honor of Achievement” certificate , by including them on email mailings and newsletters, and by offering networking opportunities.
Creating and adopting an EarthCare Covenant will fulfill Option 1 of Benchmark 8 of Thriving in Unity 2.0.
Track B – EarthCare Commitment
In this Track, the congregation and ministry leadership are invited to create a vision for EarthCare and then take
actions that demonstrate a commitment to caring for creation.
Congregations may choose any three of the seven steps described in Section 2 – The Path to EarthCare and
identify actions for those steps that are appropriate for the ministry.
There are many easy ways to begin to care for creation. Some examples are:
• hold a special service for Earth Day Sunday
• include prayers for creation in each Sunday service
• recycle office paper
• replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs; sell compact fluorescent bulbs
• minimize waste by using washable dinnerware for hospitality
• show a documentary film on an EarthCare topic
• hold a study group on sustainable living or voluntary simplicity
• participate in activities already planned by other organizations, such as local stream/neighborhood/park or
roadway cleanup days, EPA’s Change a Light, Change the World campaign, or The Nature
Conservancy’s Plant a Billion Trees campaign.
Sample activities are listed for each of the Path steps in the next section and on the Certification Checklist (Form 3). Excellent websites and books, with more suggestions and resources, are listed in the Suggested
EarthCare Resources compiled by the EarthCare Team and available at unity.org/bethechange or by
emailing us at [email protected]. The possibilities are limited only by your creativity!
Before the Commitment has been decided upon by the congregation, the Notice of Initiation (Form 2) may be
submitted to the EarthCare Team. After a Commitment has been adopted, the Notice of Completion (Form 4) may
be submitted. While these notifications are voluntary, doing so allows the EarthCare Team to honor, recognize
and support congregations that have adopted an EarthCare Commitment, through issuance of an “Honor of
Achievement” certificate, by including them on email mailings and newsletters, and by offering networking
opportunities
Track C – EarthCare Congregation Certification
Some congregations may decide to complete the entire EarthCare Congregation Certification process, as
described here and outlined in the Certification Checklist (Form 3), and then become certified as an EarthCare
Congregation. The EarthCare Congregation Certification track is a guide to active fulfillment of the ministry’s
vision for EarthCare.
Based on The Path to EarthCare (Section 2), the EarthCare Congregation Certification track is a comprehensive
approach to an earth-oriented spirituality that touches the entire life of the ministry. The track is centered on
cultivating a consciousness for EarthCare that includes both spiritual and practical actions. It is our experience
that, by following this process, EarthCare can be integrated into the life of the ministry in a way that is sustainable
over time.
Sample activities are listed for each step of the Path. Excellent websites and books, with more suggestions and
resources, are listed in the Suggested EarthCare Resources compiled by the EarthCare Team.
The EarthCare Congregation Certification process:
Should a ministry wish to be recognized as an EarthCare Congregation, the ministry is requested to submit the
Notice of Initiation (Form 2) as they begin the track. This allows the EarthCare Team to provide support and
resources to the ministry, including email, newsletters, and networking opportunities.
Upon completion of the process, the ministry should submit the Certification Checklist (Form 3), and Notice of
Completion (Form 4) along with a brief description of the actions taken for each step of the path. All forms should
be submitted to the EarthCare Team.
Upon receipt and review of the Notice of Completion and Checklist forms, the ministry will receive an EarthCare
Congregation Certificate of Completion. Certified EarthCare Congregations will be listed on the Association
of Unity Churches International website.
Certified congregations receive support and resources from the EarthCare Team, including email, newsletters,
and networking opportunities. In return, the congregation may be asked to answer questions, provide information,
or provide mentorship to new ministries interested in becoming EarthCare Congregations.
Section 2: “The Path” to EarthCare
A conscious strategy can help us achieve success in any undertaking. This seven-step Path is recommended because it recognizes spiritual commitment and visioning as essential parts of reaching our goals. It is anticipated that ministries pursuing a commitment to EarthCare would likely cycle through these steps many times as they proceed along their path.
Pray
Our consciousness of God opens the way for ideas, inspiration, and guidance. To begin EarthCare in a ministry,
first create a consciousness for the work through prayer. Prayer guides the ministry to its own unique expressions
of caring for creation.
Vision
Once a ministry discerns, through prayer, a call to adopt EarthCare, they should create a vision for the work with
the ministry leadership. This may take the form of a vision statement, a mission statement or covenant to care for
creation.
► A covenant is a sacred trust. It expresses the ministry’s vision for care of creation and an intention to take actions that express the vision. It should be considered a pact between the congregation and Spirit.
► A vision statement is an affirmation that concentrates on the future, is a source of inspiration and provides clear decision making criteria. A vision statement sets the direction for future planning.
► A mission statement defines the purpose, critical processes and goals of the EarthCare plan.
When developing a vision for EarthCare, the congregation may hold a prayerful dialogue by asking questions
such as: “How do we perceive God?” “What is our relationship to God’s creation?” “How can we be good stewards
of Earth?”
We also encourage ministries to create a brief Action Plan. The action plan outlines the ways the leadership and
congregation intend to express an earth care consciousness in the life of the ministry.
Inspire
With inspiration, our prayers and vision begin to move into outer expression. Ministries can inspire care of the
earth by including an earth focus in their activities, such as Sunday services, prayers, songs, and special
ceremonies. The Truth that God is everywhere present in Creation then becomes alive in people’s minds and hearts, and translates into daily action.
Learn
It is important to gather information and resources to educate ourselves in preparation for future action. Further,
sponsoring educational activities in our ministries opens a space for individuals–and the community—to explore,
pray, and discern greater understanding about complex environmental topics. Such experiences may bring into
ministries the challenging issues of life on earth and create spiritual connection with them. Educating people to
pray first and act upon guidance fosters unity and God-centered action. Obvious avenues for communication
include the ministry newsletter, Sunday bulletin, and displays.
Take Action
To express loving care for the earth requires a commitment of time, energy, and money. The specific actions
taken will depend on the needs and vision of the community. The activities may be simple or complex, contained
solely within the ministry or reach out into the broader community.
We encourage EarthCare Congregations to express their vision and creativity by adopting sustainable lifestyle
practices. The actions of the ministry can be a model and encourage individuals to make changes in their
personal lives as well. See Section 3 – Suggested EarthCare Actions
Share
Sharing our ideas and successes through word-of-mouth, presentations, and news media, is important for
fostering the work within our congregations and the larger community. Networking with other groups and
programs reminds us that we are not alone in the task of caring for creation. Unity ministries may network with
local conservation groups, interfaith creation care centers, and spiritual centers of other denominations with
creation care programs. As we become aware of the work within Unity and elsewhere, our common ground—
Earth—becomes a sacred home for unity. By raising awareness of our common cause, we can unite our actions
to care for humanity and the planet that sustains us.
Renew
Every work has its seasons. There are ebbs and flows in EarthCare work. However, even during a “winter”
season of low energy for projects, we can maintain sacred space for creation through Sunday services and special ceremonies. Prayer and visioning anew, perhaps annually, allows the ministry to re-assess where to focus
its efforts.
Section 3: Suggested EarthCare Actions
Energy/Environmental Audit
Conduct an audit of building, grounds, and operations to assist the ministry in becoming a better caregiver of the
environment through environmental conservation. Contact local utilities for further information. Statistics show that
faith organizations that adopt energy efficient practices save an average of 33% on their operational costs.
Through an audit, congregation members are encouraged to learn how personal lifestyle choices affect the
environment and what alternative choices are available to minimize that impact. Ministry programs can expand to
include EarthCare issues that members see as important to their faith, and demonstrate ways to live their lives in
spiritual harmony with the environment. Members are proud to belong to a ministry that cares about our Earth and
is committed to protecting the environment.
Energy Conservation
Perhaps the single greatest human activity affecting global climate change is the production of carbon dioxide
through the extensive use of fossil fuels. Reducing our rate of use of these traditional energy sources will
conserve these resources, lower utility bills, and help preserve ecological systems as well as human cultures.
TRY: implement recommendations of energy audits to reduce heat and electric bills; sell CFL or LED light
bulbs; promote car-pooling, walking/bicycling, or using public transit.
Recycling
A recycling program or connecting with existing programs is an easy way for congregations to take meaningful
environmental action on a limited budget.
TRY: recycle cans, bottles, newspaper, cardboard, magazines and junk mail; prepare a recycling guide
for the congregation.
Waste Minimization
Over-consumption contributes to pollution and to our landfills. What we purchase and consume are votes for
those goods and services. Decisions to "reduce" and "reuse" are powerful spiritual statements of environmental
responsibility, both for ourselves and the larger community.
TRY: use washable cups, plates, and utensils for Sunday hospitality; install low-flow toilets, a timer for the
hot water heater; make thermostat adjustments.
Water Conservation and Landscaping
Water pollution is one of the leading consumption-related environmental problems facing the world today.
TRY:
► Adopt a water budget.
► Catch storm drain runoff systems.
► Select new plantings that are native or other low water plants.
► Practice ”Grass Recycling.”
► Limit the use of gas-powered mowers. Lawn maintenance contractors should be required to mow
early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Set lawnmower blade one notch higher as longer
grass means less evaporation.
► Water: make sure sprinklers do not water non-green areas; place a layer of mulch around
plants and trees to reduce evaporation; water early in the morning or late in the day. More than
half the water applied to lawns and gardens can be lost through evaporation or run-off because of
overwatering.
► Use organic or natural lawn, shrub, and tree fertilizers.
► Harvest rainwater from drainpipes and install underground distribution lines to lawn
areas.
Stewardship of Natural Resources
One of the greatest satisfactions of life is to explore, enjoy, and care for natural spaces, both in our backyards and
globally. Through these activities we promote the responsible use of the earth’s ecosystems and resources.
TRY: “adopt a spot” (park, neighborhood, street, highway, cemetery, beach, or trail); attend hikes and
conservation work projects (such as tree planting and trail maintenance) sponsored by conservation
organizations.
Promote Awareness of the Interdependence of Creation
We are called to a renewed reverence for life and respect for the interdependent web of creation. Through an
expansion and re-centering of our awareness to include the whole planetary ecosystem, we will come into deeper
alignment with the oneness of the universe and guide the use of our collective culture for the common good.
TRY: promote food cooperatives to buy locally or organically grown food products; respond to climate
change; advocate for a healthful human environment.
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