Rock Spring United Church of Christ: Arlington, Virginia
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Eco-Justice Committee

As a subcommittee of the Social Action Board, the mission of the Rock Spring Eco-Justice Committee is to raise awareness of environmental justice issues and to promote better stewardship of earth's resources both as individuals and as a church. Our meetings are scheduled for the third Tuesday of each month from 7:30 to 9pm.

Upcoming Activities

AFAC Garden!

The 2008 Confirmation Class came up with a great idea to raise fresh vegetables for the Arlington Food Assistance Center, and the Eco-justice Committee is helping with this worthwhile project. We’re looking for volunteers to help tend the garden, harvest the food and deliver it to AFAC. If you can help out at all (one week? Split a week with a friend?) please sign up on the AFAC Garden volunteer list in the Saegmuller Room. The Committee and Confirmands also encourage any of you home gardeners to Grow a Row in your own garden for AFAC!

Summer Film Series!

The Committee has several films to share that highlight the importance of creation care and eco-justice. Dates and times TBA.

Goals

Our goal is “to integrate the care and renewal of creation into the culture and operation of Rock Spring Church.” We call this the “Green Filter.”

Our four objectives for 2008 are:

  • To reduce energy use at Rock Spring by 5%. (The church reduced energy use by 15% from 2004-2007).
  • Present 2 earth/creation-focused services and 2 study opportunities that highlight the theological and spiritual basis for eco-justice work.
  • Meet with the various church boards and committees to introduce the idea of the Green Filter and discuss how it relates to them.
  • Support keeping eco-justice and creation care as one of the church’s seven core values in its strategic plan. Education and outreach are important aspects of these objectives.

 

Basis:

“Eco-justice arises out of the intersection of ecological and social ethics and operates out of the conviction that restoring wholeness and sanity to our relations with nature depends upon our progress in achieving the right relations among human beings.” —J. Parker

Embracing more sustainable and equitable stewardship of the earth is a demonstration of our call to worship and love God with all our being as well as through our actions, and to recognize and treat God's creation as sacred. Caring for the earth should be an integral part of all our church's ministries, and we accept this charge with hope, enthusiasm and joy.

Sermons:

April 23, 2006: From Apocalypse to Genesis by Rev. Dr. Janet L. Parker

April 22, 2007: To Tend and Keep by Rev. Dr. Janet L. Parker

September 30, 2007: The Great Work by Beth Norcross

April 20, 2008: Noah’s Promise by Rev. Dr. Janet L. Parker