The Environment

Caring for God’s creation is an ever evolving topic in this world, especially with each new natural or human-made disaster. As stewards of this world, we are called to examine our behaviors toward creation. While we need to take from the land for food and sustainability, we also need to be careful that we maintain good stewardship and do not exploit the wonderful things the earth provides.

The Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope, and Justice social statement explains the ELCA’s teachings on ecology and the environment, grounded in a biblical vision of God's intention for the healing and wholeness of creation. This statement provides a Christian understanding of the human role to serve in creation, and a hope rooted in God’s faithfulness to the creation from which humans emerge and depend upon for sustaining life. It provides a framework for understanding the human role in creation, the problem of sin and the current environmental crisis.

Watch the video of the presentation by Mpls Area Synod Staff Member, Madeline Troyer, on the EcoFaith Initiative and Water. (You may want to fast forward through the first 15 minutes of pre-meeting chatting!) 

More resources for the justice work of Creation Care:

• 52 ways to Care for Creation - Creation Justice Ministries
• Guide to Green Shopping
• Clean Water Fact Sheet (ELCA)
• Lutherans Restoring Creation Website 

Special thanks to Ms. Platt's students at Eden Lake Elementary for sharing a resource on sustainable shopping they have found helpful!  This Guide to Green Shopping offers great tips on sustainable shopping, buying green & buying local.  We are grateful to be a part of a community working together to care for our planet!

For more information please contact:

Deacon Savannah Olaphson
savannah@immanuel.us, 952-230-0357 (direct dial). 952-937-8123 ex. 57