WHEREAS, human activity, especially the over-consumption of energy and natural resources, appears to be a critical driver in these changes in climate and environmental distress, causing harm to God’s creation and exacerbating the already difficult situations for millions living with poverty and hunger, particularly as weather extremes such as flood and drought increase, and WHEREAS, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, recognizing the gravity of these threats, has long been committed to addressing environmental issues as part of our call to justice, sustainability, and solidarity with affected communities and, along with our partners in the Lutheran World Federation and Lutheran World Relief, committed to working to alleviate hunger, poverty, and unsustainable living conditions globally, and
WHEREAS, the 2009 NE MN Synod Assembly voted to “strongly urge all its member congregations to actively engage in reducing their carbon footprints through the following suggested ways: (1) have an energy audit for all church owned properties, (2) form a creation care task force within each congregation, (3) begin implementing changes suggested by the audit and the task force,” therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the congregations, administrative offices, and other ministry facilities related to the NE MN Synod be encouraged to initiate or renew their commitment to energy stewardship by: (1) doing an assessment of energy use in their facilities if they haven’t already done so; (2) taking steps to reduce energy use; (3) encouraging their members to save energy in their homes; and (4) sharing information on the steps taken with the synod’s Creation Care Team or other appropriate entity as a way to encourage others to similar actions, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the NE MN Synod memorialize the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America at its 2011 Churchwide Assembly to challenge all expressions of the ELCA to reduce their energy-related carbon emissions by at least 5 percent per year, with an ultimate goal of reducing our overall emissions by 25-40 percent by 2020*, and to share this commitment and steps taken to achieve it in a public way in official publications and communication channels of this church.[*See Addendum]
Addendum
This resolution builds upon a history of past statements and actions in this synod and across the ELCA, calling us to cherish and tend God’s creation as part of our loving and serving God and neighbor. Recognizing our call to eco-justice, to addressing hunger and poverty, to faithful stewardship of creation and our finances, this resolution offers a bold witness and a plan for action. It is hoped that a number of synods across the ELCA will adopt this resolution this year, as a way to encourage and challenge one another to reduce our energy use and lessen our carbon footprint. This adds to the voices of 10 other ELCA synods, which took similar action in 2010.
The goal of a 25 – 40 % reduction in carbon emissions by 2020 is in line with what the ELCA has been advocating for at the Federal level, through the ELCA’s Washington Office. Setting this goal is a way for us to practice what we preach, as well as to save money on energy expenses for use in other areas of mission and ministry.
Implementing this resolutionOur synod’s Creation Care Team, with the help of Lutherans Restoring Creation, stands ready to offer assistance and guidance on the implementation of this resolution and in the sharing of your congregation’s results with others. Our synod Team will be in contact with LRC and others that are joining in this effort in a collaborative, coordinated initiative across the ELCA. Synod Creation Care Team contact: Pastor Chris Manisto, 763-389-2671; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it For tools to assess and reduce your energy consumption, see: Interfaith Power and Light’s “Cool Congregations” calculator at http://coolcongregations.com/; or the EPA Energy Star Portfolio Manager energy conservation tool at https://www.energystar.gov/istar/pmpam/.
