Serve, Work and Transform: Presbyterians for Earth Care - Letter to our Earth Caring Friends 💚 and Upcoming Events

“I am the Vine and you are the branches.”

--John 15:5

Dear Friend of Presbyterians for Earth Care,

Gabriella Parulli is a remarkable young woman in Albuquerque, NM, and one of the branches that Jesus talks about in John 15:5. As a high school junior, Gabriella opened a “refillery” out of an Airstream trailer. A refillery is a store that sells cleaning and personal products in bulk, where customers bring their own containers making her business plastic and waste-free. Now, she operates a brick-and-mortar refillery called Fillin’ Funky. Gabriella received PEC’s Emerging Earth Care Leader award in 2024.

You, too, can extend God’s love for all creation by partnering with Presbyterians for Earth Care in 2025. Renew your membership and make a difference as you connect and collaborate with national and regional advocates for eco-justice. Presbyterians for Earth Care provides you with resources and models for ministry, including a biennial conference, quarterly issues of EARTH, (a newsletter focused on earth, action, reflection, theology, and hope), timely monthly webinars, and email updates. Your membership in Presbyterians for Earth Care will connect you with individuals engaged in the vital work of climate justice, provide creation care resources for you, your congregation, and your community, and offer spiritual sustenance during this challenging time.

Renew your membership by Earth Day, April 22, 2025, to be part of the Earth Care Movement and a branch of Jesus’ vine. On the back are an earth care quote and a benediction that you and your congregation can share with the larger community, reminding you of the ways God is calling you to care for creation.

Partner with Presbyterians for Earth Care in 2025! The urgency is clear—global temperatures have already exceeded 1.5oC, the threshold set by the Paris Agreement above pre-industrial levels. In 2024, Americans faced the impacts of climate crises across the country, and we continue to witness climate-driven catastrophes in 2025. Now is the time to take action.

Partner in our Eco-Justice Network with a PEC Annual Membership (suggested contribution):

Family: $50 Congregation/Organization: $75 Partner: $100

You can view these and other options for donating online through our website: CLICK HERE If you prefer to send a check, please mail to: PEC Treasurer, P.O. Box 8041, ,Prairie Village, KS, 66208.

Also, mark your calendars for our 2025 Earth Care Conference at Ferncliff Conference Center in Little Rock, AR, October 8-11, 2025. The theme, Justice Flows Down Like Water, provides opportunities to see the importance of water from many different perspectives. We hope to see you there.

Thank you for considering extending the branches of the Earth Care Movement!

Sincerely,

Courtenay Willcox (Moderator), on behalf of the PEC Steering Committee: Eileen Best, Matthew Davis, Mark Eakin, Sam Hamilton-Poore, Mindy Hidenfelter (Coordinator), Jane Laping, Sarah Mayer, Consuelo Ochoa de Walker, Matthias Peterson-Brandt, Jo Randolph, and Derrick Weston

SPRING WEBINAR

The Book of Revelation:

All Creation’s Hallelujah

Webinar Date: Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Time: 7:30 pm EDT (6:30 CDT, 5:30 MDT, 4:30 PDT)

Presenter: Robert A. Bryant, Ph.D., Kristen Herrington Professor of Bible, Department of Religion and Philosophy, Presbyterian College

The Revelation to John--the last book of the Bible, and sometimes the first book to capture eyes and ears of people and cultures across time. This study enables groups to learn together about messages to first century (CE) churches and how these speak to churches today. Explore visions conveyed in apocalyptic style that provoke faithful wonder and how symbols and metaphors illustrate God’s character and purpose as well as the consequences of evil. Study the ways in which prophecy conveys what matters to God and what Christians need to do to remain faithful to the teachings of Jesus, the Messiah and Savior of the world, and to respect God’s loving care for all creation.

CLICK HERE for Info & Registration

Online Bible Study

What strikes you about having Scriptures that were written by people who were not omniscient, whose knowledge was limited to their own place in history? How do youth climate protests call people of all ages to action? How do civil suits by young activists draw attention to the need for action? How can retired people become engaged in climate action?

We will explore these questions and more in our upcoming study of a lesson on Intergenerational Justice.

You are invited to join Presbyterians for Earth Care on Sunday, April 27th for an online study of:

Let Justice Roll Down: God’s Call to Care for Neighbors and All Creation

by Patricia K. Tull
Suggestions for Leaders by Rebecca Barnes

Please join PEC for this unique monthly opportunity for community and meaningful study.

Time: 7:00 pm Eastern/ 6:00 pm Central/ 5:00 pm Mountain/ 4:00 pm Pacific. The study will run for 75 minutes.

Study Leaders: Rev. M. Courtenay Willcox and Rev. Lucy Youngblood

The study guide is helpful, but not necessary to participate. Each lesson is stand alone - join us online for any or all of our study sessions! We hope to see you there!

CLICK HERE for Info & Zoom Link

Registration opens in May

Presbyterians for Earth Care

Biennial Earth Care Conference

“Sacred Creation: Justice Flows Down Like Water”

October 8-11, 2025

Ferncliff Camp & Conference Center in Little Rock, AR

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Rev. Andrew Black,

Founder of Earth Keepers

(Read Rev. Black’s Bio HERE)

The Environmental Crisis As A Spiritual and Theological Crisis—Moving From the Apocalyptic To Hope

In a series of keynote addresses, Presbyterian Minister Reverend Andrew Black of EarthKeepers 360 helps us prophetically address important questions facing our church and world?: 1) How do we faithfully interpret and address difficult Biblical texts regarding the environment?; 2) What role must the church and faith leaders play in addressing environmental problems and reimagining the role of responsible stewardship of creation?; 3) What is happening with regards to America’s land, water and wildlife and what are we seeing in terms of U.S. policy impacts in these areas?; 4) What role must churches play in shaping and challenging policy and why? 5) What can local congregations do right now to make a difference?; and 6) Why must congregations and faith leaders be at the forefront of bridging environmentalism and social justice and how do we stand with Tribal and frontline communities?

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!