Multimedia: Martha Gardner discusses Earth Day, environmental ministries, Farm Bill

In keeping with Earth Day April 22, Martha Gardner, consultant for environmental ministries in the Episcopal Church’s Office of Peace and Justice Ministries, speaks about how the Episcopal Church and some of its congregations are committed to preserving the environment through green and power-saving initiatives.

Gardner also encourages use of resources provided by the National Council of Churches (NCC) to help congregations engage in the Earth Day Sunday theme. This year’s edition, "Our Daily
Bread: Harvesters of Hope and Gardeners of Eden" offers background on farm- and food-related issues, with worship resources and study ideas for youth and adults.

The packet also includes information and resources for the “Sow Justice” campaign, Christians working together to advocate for a more just farm and food policy.

A video stream of Gardner’s interview is available here.

Further information about the NCC’s Eco-Justice program and its resources that include sermon starters, ideas for youth and adult study, suggestions for individual and congregational action, sample liturgies, and a bulletin insert -- is available here.

An earlier Episcopal News Service article is available here.

The Episcopal Public Policy Network (EPPN) has also recently focused its attention on this year’s renewal of the Farm Bill and why advocacy on the bill is so important -- particularly its connection to the Millennium Development Goals and feeding poor and hungry people at home and around the world.

In addition to highlighting the Farm Bill on Earth Day and promoting the NCC resources for congregations, EPPN encourages environmental stewardship through the “Sowing Seeds: Growing a Movement” conference on June 9-12, when thousands of people of faith will gather in Washington, D.C., to launch a renewed movement to end hunger and poverty in the United States and around the world. “The focus of this advocacy based conference will be the Farm Bill and its effects on poverty here in the United States and around the world,” an EPPN release states. “Leaders of more than 40 faith traditions and many fabulous speakers will be a part of this spirit-filled event.” For more information visit: http://www.bread.org/about-us/national-gathering.