Resolution 2020-1: On Ecological Justice
WHEREAS, the 1993 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Social Statement “Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope, and Justice” affirms that, “we are called to care for the earth as God cares for the earth,” and
WHEREAS, in 1993, with “Caring for Creation,” we recognized that impact of climate change was already “widespread and serious, according to the preponderance of evidence from scientists worldwide [of] dangerous global warming, caused by the buildup of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide” from the burning of fossil fuels, and that “action to counter degradation, especially within this decade, is essential to the future of our children and our children's children. Time is very short,” and
WHEREAS, in “Caring for Creation”, we acknowledged that the degradation of the environment occurs where people have little or no voice in decisions—because of racial, gender, or economic discrimination. People and communities who have contributed the least to the present climate crisis are often burdened with the most numerous and the consequences, and increasing numbers are driven to become climate refugees in order to survive, and
WHEREAS, the 2019 Churchwide Assembly of the ELCA voted to endorse The Earth Charter, and
WHEREAS, The Earth Charter recognizes that all beings are interdependent and every form of life has value regardless of its worth to human beings, and
WHEREAS, The Earth Charter accepts that with the right to own, manage, and use natural resources comes the duty to prevent environmental harm and to protect the rights of people, and
WHEREAS, in recognition of the seriousness of the climate crisis and other environmental degradation, in 2019 the ELCA formed the Sustainability and Environmental Table to bring together ELCA churchwide and congregational strategies and activities that care for and protect all of creation into a coordinated effort, and
WHEREAS, the climate crisis continues to worsen—manifested in severe weather, drought, widespread and damaging fires, extreme hurricanes and tornados, and rising sea levels;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that every Delaware-Maryland Synod congregation and their members prayerfully consider what actions we can take to be better stewards of creation; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that every Delaware-Maryland Synod congregation prayerfully consider becoming a “Creation Care Covenant Congregation;” and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that congregations reduce, reuse, and recycle the materials used in production and consumption systems, and ensure that residual waste can be assimilated by ecological systems; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that congregations ought to exemplify institutional responsibility by practicing energy conservation, purchasing energy efficient items, and investing in renewable energy; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Delaware-Maryland Synod congregations partner with the Delaware–Maryland Synod Creation Care Ministry for outreach and education.
Submitted by:
Deacon Laura Heller, Creation Care Ministry Coordinator Delaware-Maryland Synod
The Rev. Matthew C. Fuhrman, Pastor Prince of Peace, Rosedale, MD
The Rev. Dr. Lisa Arrington, Pastor St. John’s Sweet Air, Phoenix, MD
Larry Ryan, Creation Care Ministry Member, St. Peters, Ocean City, MD
Charlie Bailey, Creation Care Ministry Member, New Hope, Columbia, MD
Deacon Myra Keel, Creation Care Ministry Member, St. Philips, Baltimore, MD
Brad Schlegel, Creation Care Ministry Member, St. Mark’s, Baltimore, MD
Bernie Penner, Creation Care Ministry Member, Zion, Baltimore, MD
The Rev. Lee Hudson, Director of the Lutheran Office for Public Policy – Maryland
The Rev. Gordon Simmons, Director of the Lutheran Office for Public Policy – Delaware
The Rev. Anke Deibler, Pastor Calvary, Mt. Airy, MD and Zion, Baltimore, MD
The Rev. Ray Ranker, Lutheran Campus Ministry, University of Maryland
The Rev. Dr. Harry Wolpert, Pastor Emeritus, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Ocean City, MD
The Rev. Harry Biles, Asst. Pastor, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Ocean City, MD
The Rev. Frank Harpster, Pastor, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Ocean City, MD
Reference & Counsel Recommendation: Positive.
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