Presbyterians for Earth Care - Take Action on National Monuments + Webinar on Hurricanes Tonight!

Ask Your Reps to Vote "No" to Remove National Monument Protections Our national public lands are some of the last places to protect biodiversity as well and the living cultural traditions and cultural resources of tribes, as well as supporting climate mitigation and adaptation..  Their protection can support the thriving of nature and human communities to the glory of God. The current Congress has made extensive and inappropriate use of the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to dismantle protections for public lands:   The 119th Congress Becomes Worst Congress on Public Lands in Modern American History On April 17th, the CRA bill (HJR140) to allow notoriously polluting copper sulfide mining by a Chilean company in the headwaters for Boundary Water Wilderness Canoe Area passed a 49-50 vote in the Senate. The next CRA bill coming up, HRJ 151/SJR 109, to dismantle the Management Plan for Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. Ask your Representative to vote "no" today CLICK HERE The vote could take place in the House as soon as next week. Last week, faith leaders from throughout the West issued a letter in opposition to the CRA for Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument in Utah expressing concern over the long-term consequences of the bill.  As leaders of faith, we urge members of Congress to oppose the use of the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to overturn the current management plan for Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument. If revisions are needed, they should be pursued through dialogue, debate, and collaboration—processes that reflect prudence and respect for public participation. The CRA would nullify the existing management plan and endanger any possible future protections. The current plan reflects years of scientific study, public comment, and Tribal consultation. The CRA, by contrast, would reverse that work through an expedited legislative end-run. This excuse for “legislation” is bad enough on its face; but even worse in the long run: By design it will render any good faith efforts to adopt future protections virtually impossible.  (To sign the letter yourself as a clergy faith leader, email ron@barness.co). At the 2024 General Assembly, held in Salt Lake City Utah, passed a policy to support protection of Grand Staircase Escalante and Bears Ears National Monuments in perpetuity and act in solidarity with the Tribes for whom the land in these monuments are held sacred and contain important cultural resources. "DOE-8 On Protecting Utah's National Monuments and Wildlands for Ecology and Justice." Asking your Representative to vote "no" on the CRA is an important way to live out this policy of our church and a matter of justice for the earth and tribes. If you would like to do more, including hand delivering the faith letter to your members of Congress, please email Jenny at jehrestore@gmail.com. Thank you for, reading, and putting your faith into action, The PEC Advocacy Team WEBINAR TONIGHT! Hurricanes & Flooding of the 21st Century Human warming of the planet has resulted in an increase in severe hurricanes and flooding events. Now this is happening in places previously outside where hurricanes have historically struck. The result has impacted people unprepared for severe weather, raised questions on where and how to build back, and prods us to keep refining where faith-based organizations play a role in recovery and preparedness. Anne Waple is the Disaster Recovery Coordinator for the Presbytery of Western North Carolina. REGISTER HERE How can we help you care for God’s creation?  Drop us an email and let us know at presbyearthcare@gmail.com Help us grow! Please let us know if there is anyone we should add to our list!  Just reply to this email.  Thank you! Please help us to continue to assist individuals and churches in creation care work by donating to PEC through our website by CLICKING HERE.  Thank you!

Copyright (C) 2026 Presbyterians for Earth Care. All rights reserved.

WCC News: Accompaniers continue their work virtually in Palestine and Israel

Iskandar Majlaton, programme coordinator for the World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme Palestine and Israel, offers an update on how accompaniers have been able to continue their work virtually.  Jordan Valley, West Bank, Occupied Palestinian Territories (2018): Ecumenical Accompaniers from the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine in Israel accompany shepherds in many parts of the West Bank, providing an international presence known to have a mitigating effect on confrontations between Israeli settlers and the Palestinians. EAs' presence also helps Palestinians access lands they otherwise might not have dared to continue to cultivate. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 20 April 2026 Would you describe the need for accompaniers amid escalating conflict?  Majlaton: Following the evacuation of ecumenical accompaniers due to the escalation of hostilities, the physical presence of international witnesses was necessarily interrupted. Yet the communities we serve, farmers and Bedouin communities in the South Hebron Hills, families and schoolchildren in Jerusalem and Bethlehem, and communities in the Jordan Valley, continue to endure profound vulnerability and daily pressures. How does the virtual programme serve as a bridge? Majlaton: Our commitment to these communities is rooted not only in programmatic responsibility but in a theological calling: to bear witness, to stand in solidarity, and to affirm the dignity of all people as created in the image of God. While the virtual accompaniment programme does not replace the incarnational value of physical presence, it serves as a faithful and necessary bridge. Through it, we seek to ensure that these communities are neither unseen nor unheard, and that the ministry of accompaniment, grounded in justice, compassion, and truth, continues despite physical distance. Please describe some of the components of the programme.  Majlaton: The virtual accompaniment programme remains grounded in the ethos of accompaniment, adapted thoughtfully to the present context. Its key components include weekly virtual engagement; listening, documentation, and witness; and reporting and advocacy. What can your ecumenical family pray for you as you continue in this work?  Majlaton: We humbly ask our ecumenical family to continue holding this ministry in prayer. Pray for the protection, resilience, and steadfast hope of the communities we accompany, who continue to face daily uncertainty and hardship. Pray for the safety and wisdom of our local staff, placement drivers, and ecumenical accompaniers, as they navigate complex realities with courage and discernment. Pray for the integrity and fruitfulness of our shared witness, that truth may be spoken with clarity and received with openness. By working with national coordinators to share the verified stories and reports gathered, you help amplify the voices of those struggling for justice, equal rights, and peace. Your continued solidarity, awareness-raising, and engagement with decision-makers are crucial in supporting our mission for a just peace. Learn more about the WCC's Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

WCC NEWS: Webinar will focus on “For Every Generation: Faith, Justice, and Science in Immunization”

A webinar on 30 April will focus on “For Every Generation: Faith, Justice, and Science in Immunization.”  Photo: Marcelo Schneider/WCC 20 April 2026 In preparation for the World Health Assembly, and in observation of World Immunisation Week, the 90-minute webinar will bring together World Health Organization experts, faith leaders, and scientific experts working at the interface of faith and science to explore how vaccines protect people across the life course. It will review the history and scientific evidence for immunisation, highlighting how vaccines safeguard children, adolescents, adults, and older persons, and why equitable access is a matter of health justice.  The webinar will celebrate the contributions of faith-based organisations and the World Council of Churches in promoting immunisation and delivering services in communities, while also confronting the realities of unjust immunisation systems that can undermine trust and fuel vaccine hesitancy. A dedicated segment will address misinformation in faith communities, offering concrete examples and tools for constructive dialogue between faith and science.  Through short inputs, panel discussions, and interactive dialogue, participants will identify practical, collaborative actions to strengthen trust, promote lifesaving vaccination, and ensure that immunisation systems are truly people‑centred and just. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Apk6KFxXRz23Kdi7iZ_5Ig See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

Reminder: PPF Updates: Atwood Registration, GA Events, and Partner Gatherings

Spring Updates from the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship

Featured: Reflections from Palestine — The Amalgamation Webinar Presbyterian Peace Fellowship recently sponsored a special two-part episode of The Amalgamation podcast featuring Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow in conversation with church leaders reflecting on their recent experiences in Palestine. Guests include: Rev. Cece Armstrong — Co-Moderator of the PC(USA) Rev. Tony Larson — Co-Moderator of the PC(USA) Rev. Jihyun Oh — Stated Clerk of the General Assembly Together they share reflections from recent delegations to Palestine and what these experiences mean for the church today. Watch the conversation

Get Involved: PPF Working Groups Our working groups meet regularly and welcome new participants. If you’re interested in getting involved, we invite you to join a meeting. Current working groups include: Gun Violence Prevention Working Group Peace Church Working Group Presbyterians for Abolition Palestine Solidarity Working Group  Visit our calendar for meeting dates and registration details   News & Reflections

Restorative Justice Advances in Virginia Members of Presbyterians for Abolition lifted up a recent update on restorative justice legislation in Virginia. A number of restorative justice bills recently passed the Virginia legislature, marking a significant step toward approaches that focus on accountability, healing, and community restoration rather than punishment alone. Read the article New Book from PPF Executive Committee Member Ben Daniel The Peace Church Working Group is lifting up a new book from Ben Daniel, member of PPF’s Executive Committee. Grace Over Guns: The Christian Case for Ending Militarization The book explores the intersection of faith, militarism, and the call to pursue peace in a heavily armed society. Learn More Here PPF Sponsors Prayer Vigil for Immigrant Dignity On March 24, the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship helped sponsor a prayer vigil at ICE Headquarters in Washington, DC honoring the feast day of Óscar Romero, the Salvadoran archbishop who was martyred while speaking out against injustice and violence. Faith leaders, advocates, and community members gathered to pray, sing, and share testimony in support of immigrant communities and to call for policies that respect the dignity and humanity of all people. The vigil lifted up Romero’s legacy of standing alongside those facing oppression and injustice. Faith leaders gathered outside ICE headquarters on the feast day of Óscar Romero to pray and call for immigrant dignity.   Important Statements from PPF Recently the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship released several important statements addressing current events and the church’s call to faithful witness. Read the full statements: "The Presbyterian Peace Fellowship Statement on the United States and Cuba"  "A Call to Moral Clarity on Donald Trump’s Threats of Civilizational Erasure."  About the artwork: The graphic uses “NO” by Claude Moller, a stencil showing a bomber plane dropping bombs inside the letter “O.” The graphic is a part of the free downloadable graphics from Justseeds. General Assembly 227 — Upcoming PPF Events Peace Gathering Join us during the General Assembly for fellowship, food, and inspiration for the work ahead. We’ll honor Presbyterian Peaceseekers, discuss key issues before the Assembly, and connect with others committed to nonviolence. Keynote Speaker: Dr. Osamah Khalil Professor of History at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.  Friday, June 26, 2026  6:30–8:30 PM  Immanuel Presbyterian Church 1100 N. Astor St., Milwaukee, WI Tickets available May 1st: presbypeacefellowship.org Community Day of Action As part of the Presbyterian Decade to End Gun Violence, Presbyterians will gather for a day of action focused on gun violence prevention. Activities may include: Guns to Gardens demonstrations Public art using dismantled gun parts Resources and organizing tools for congregations  Saturday, June 27, 2026 Planning Our GA Witness Will you be attending General Assembly as a commissioner, delegate, corresponding member, or overture advocate? We would love your help with: volunteering during GA supporting pre-GA advocacy outreach  Contact: info@presbypeacefellowship.org  Commissioners’ Resolutions due: June 22

Concerned About Gun Violence? Join individuals, congregation leaders, and clergy from across the country at the James Atwood Institute for Congregational Courage. Participants will engage in workshops, training, and community-building to help congregations take meaningful action to prevent gun violence. Learn more or register

Call for Photos We are looking for photos to use in Atwood publicity. If you have photos of: faith leaders leading vigils or rallies gun violence prevention events congregations gathering for justice please consider sharing them with us.

If submitting, include: • where the photo was taken • what was happening • why people were gathered We will credit photographers when images are used. You can send them to info@presbyterianpeacefellowship.org

Upcoming Partner Events Here are a few events from partners and aligned organizations: Ecumenical Advocacy Days for Global Peace with Justice  April 25–28, 2026  https://advocacydays.org/ Seminarians for Palestine Gathering  Date TBA (April 2026)  https://actionnetwork.org/events/seminariansforpalestine Christians for a Free Palestine — April Community Call  April 2026  https://christiansforafreepalestine.com/events/aprilcall May Day Celebration — Haymarket House  May 1, 2026  Chicago, IL  https://www.haymarkethouse.org/events/celebrate-may-day-at-haymarket-house/ Training: “So You've Gone to a Protest — Now What?” Hosted by Rising Organizers  April 17, 2026  12:00 PM ET https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/0Y7vZ1gVQ66nnoX5X7Tflg#/registration Palestine Justice Network Prayer Gathering  April 2026  https://mailchi.mp/thepjn.org/pjn-april2026-prayermeeting Faith Matters Network Community Gathering  April 30, 2026  5:00 PM  https://faithmattersnetwork-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/Zszhwzl2RkyixLkuJFM-lg Not Above the Law Organizing Event  Saturday, April 25, 2026  10:00 AM – 12:00 PM PDT  Ridgecrest, CA  https://www.mobilize.us/notabovethelaw/event/937854/ UCZ Community Organizing Class  Tuesday, May 5, 2026  https://givebutter.com/ucz_class

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