The National Council of Churches has released a new resource in time for Earth Day celebrations. Called the Ethics of Energy, it is available in hard copy but may also be downloaded here.
In a collaboration with a Tennessee organization, the Council is re-distributing prayers for creation care. These prayers are meant to be used between Epiphany and Ash Wednesday. This is a time also -- Kentucky's legislative season -- when deepened public commitment to caring for God's creation can help the faith community move public officials toward improved policies and practices for creation care.
The first week of prayers is posted here.
The second week of prayers is posted here.
The third week of prayers is posted here.
The fourth week of prayers is posted here.
The fifth week of prayers is posted here.
The last prayers are posted here. Thank you for participating!
Each of the compendiums of prayers is introduced with these words:
The Care for Creation unit of the Kentucky Council of Churches has received permission from the Lindquist Environmental Appalachian Fellowship (www.tnleaf.org) to offer 40 days of prayers that LEAF collected in Tennessee. LEAF is “a Christian fellowship of Tennesseans whose faith leads them to take action for Tennessee’s environment.” We are inspired by the diversity represented by the prayers’ authors and by the commonality we share with Tennesseans concerning mountains, streams and mining. The prayers are not, of course, a substitute for the unanimous voice of the Council expressed in our policy statement “Caring For God’s Earth” available at http://www.kycouncilofchurches.org/council-statements/view-policy-statements/
LEAF posted one prayer daily starting on December 2, 2011. We are re-posting them once a week, for a period that overlaps with much of Kentucky’s legislative season when our elected officials will consider a number of care for creation matters. The prayers sometimes refer to Tennessee or to specific days of the liturgical year, so when we pray we can make the adaptations we need to make. May God use this sharing of prayers to deepen our faith and our commitment to care for God’s creation!
A webinar will be conducted twice on January 19th to explore the rationale for legislation that is proposed for the Kentucky legislature's attention in early 2012.
Communities of faith interested in care of God's creation are encouraged to inform ourselves about the proposals by registering for the webinars.
The stewardship of God's magnificent creation is a vital ministry that calls upon all of us to join in and do our parts. Christian Church of Kentucky's Green Chalice has been in the forefront of this movement among Disciples, and has contributed a great deal to the Care for Creation network of the Kentucky Council of Churches.
Its ministry captured the attention of Disciples Home Missions President, the Rev. Dr. Ron Degges. As a result, Disciples Home Missions and the Christian Church In Kentucky have a formed a new partnership. CCK's Green Chalice will now become the official ministry for the Disciples' stewardship of creation movement through DHM. Rev. Carol Devine, CCK's Green Chalice Coordinator and new Editor of FRTM, will serve both the DHM and CCK staffs as the new "Minister for Green Chalice."
Dr. Degges recognition of the work of CCK's Green Chalice and his desire for DHM to partner with CCK through this ministry is high praise for all their efforts. It is also a tribute to the leadership Rev. Devine has provided Green Chalice. 
The Rev. Carol Devine
The next GREEN Retreat of Green Chalice will be November 18-19, 2011 at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. Contact Carol Devine for more information.
Well done, Green Chalice!
Phyllis FitzgeraldA Catholic, Phyllis has been an environmental educator and activist for more than 30 years, serving in government, corporate, non-profit and school settings. She now works with the Passionists’ Earth and Spirit Institute in Louisville, Kentucky. She has taught, written, and presented many programs about healthy, sustainable food and family life at The Courier-Journal, WAVE3 TV, community organizations, and other media. Her goal is to model the joy of sustainable lifestyle for the community, and for her 5 children and their families, including 10 grandchildren.
To connect with the Council’s Care for Creation program group, please contact the Council’s office at kcc@kycouncilofchurches or 859-269-7715
February 22, 2012