Want the company of other ordained leaders figuring out how to bring these issues into their ministry?
Join us for the Clergy Café, a gathering of clergy and seminary faculty that meets roughly four times per year. Its purpose is to nourish the bodies, minds and spirits of colleagues in ministry, with a good lunch and good conversation. Participants are from many faith traditions - all clergy and members of the academy are welcome. Conversations focus on the role of the religious institutions in the modern world. Lately we’ve been visiting a farm together, pulling a few weeds and reflecting on things. We were inspired by clergy members of Hope CSA in Indiana. While this gathering is intended to be open, the times, dates, locations and contents of meeting vary. If you are interested in joining the conversation, please contact us.
Thinking about emphasizing care for creation in an Earth Day or other appropriate service?
We prepare a Faith on Earth worship kit annually, for distribution 4-6 weeks prior to Earth Day. It includes reflections on the Torah or lectionary readings for the week, and recommendations for political advocacy that are timely for the day, along with liturgical ideas that are useful throughout the year. See the kits from previous years. Do you have a good sermon? Email it to us! We may want to include it in a future worship kit.
Do you still need to get started?
Invite one of our seminarian speakers to share Ten Tips on How to Organize Your Congregation with your lay leaders and help them convene your Green Team.
Planning to build?
Please call us first! We can help to connect you to green architects who make sure that your building project is as green as it can possibly be from the beginning. We can also help to connect you to ordained leaders in other congregations who have done green building programs. Share the knowledge and the love!
Want to engage in advocacy?
We distill public policy advocacy so that it’s much easier for busy people to deal with. Want to know enough about a few very significant bills at the state and federal level so that you can encourage your congregation to do the right thing without being overwhelmed? We can equip you. With our monthly e-news, winter workshop on policy, organized letter-writing campaigns and annual Lobby Day in Springfield, we have a robust advocacy program that won’t wear you out.
Want to save energy in your house of worship?
Our Illinois Interfaith Power & Light program can help. We will help you do a walk-through of your building, measure your carbon footprint and much more.
Interested in supporting sustainable farming and access to healthy local food?
Our sustainable food program can help you create direct market links with local farmers. We’ve even helped several congregations put in gardens to grow their own food.
Want to learn what other faith communities are doing?
Get inspired by stories from congregations around Illinois who are becoming good stewards of creation.
