“We of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America are deeply concerned about the environment, locally and globally, as members of this church and as members of society. Even as we join the political, economic, and scientific discussion, we know care for the earth to be a profoundly spiritual matter” (Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope, and Justice, a social statement of the ELCA, 1993).
In 1993, the ELCA released a social statement containing views on matters of ecology and the environment. As stated by the ELCA, the statement “expresses a call to pursue justice for creation through active participation, solidarity, sufficiency, sustainability, and states the commitments of the ELCA for pursuing wholeness for creation–commitments expressed through individual and community action, worship, learning, moral deliberation, and advocacy.”
As part of the commitment to the environment, the statement presents the idea of “environmental tithing” and encourages individuals to “reduce their burden on the earth’s bounty by producing ten percent less in waste, consuming ten percent less in non-renewable resources, and contributing the savings to the earth care efforts” as well as spending time learning about environmental issues and how to work towards solutions.
Resources
- ELCA Caring for Creation
- Michigan Interfaith Power and Light Resources for Congregations
- Lutherans Restoring Creation
- Creation Justice Ministries
- Earth Ministry
- Faith Climate Action Kit
- Environmental Tithing
John D. Schleicher Care of Creation Grants
In response to the resolution on responding to the climate emergency adopted at the North/West Lower Michigan Synod’s 2021 Synod Assembly, the North/West Lower Michigan Synod Council approved the establishment of the John D. Schleicher Care of Creation Grants.
The purpose of these grants is to inspire and assist congregations of the North/West Lower Michigan Synod to respond to climate change as a matter of faith and discipleship. The grants are named to honor Bishop Emeritus John D. Schleicher for his commitment to and leadership in care of creation.