IS GOD GREEN?
With over 1,000 references to the earth in the Bible, read the scripture through this lens of creation care. Lutherans Restoring Creation - believe that being earthkeepers is foundational to our Christian vocation and should be integral to the full life and mission of the ELCA.
Ten Ways to Care for Creation - A two page toolkit from the Reformed church.
Caring For the Earth: Stories from Faith Communities Film Series brings together powerful voices representing many faith traditions to explore how our spiritual traditions call us to care for creation and each other. Each 20-minute film is paired with a Study + Discussion Guide designed for faith groups of all ages and sizes seeking deeper engagement.
Francis and Friends - Written by Episcopalian Pastor Rich Nelson, Francis and Friends is a "faith and nature" resource to meet kids where they are and then get them back outdoors: to be filled with awe and wonder and to strengthen family bonds. Francis and Friends is built upon the loving, inclusive teachings of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare and it centers each child’s life in the Great Commandment to love God with all our Heart, Soul, Mind and Strength.
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Curriculum:Noticing God in Creation - VBS in a Bag 2020 from St. John's Episcopal Church comes a FREE resource for families to do together at home.
Lutheran Outdoor Ministries VBS Curriculum - Get all you need to run your own Vacation Bible School program, without paying for pricy boxed sets! The VBS Package includes: Curriculum Development Bundle, Preschool Bible Study, Day Camp/Lower Elementary Bible Study, Upper Elementary Bible Study, The Water of Life” Crafts, The Water of Life” Games, The Water of Life" Graphics. Price: $100
Healthy Kids, Healthy Churches, Healthy Creation - From the National Council of Churches, this curriculum provides a guide for initiating conversations about how our consumer choices impact human health and Creation. This curriculum encourages people to draw on their own experiences, think about caring for human health as a spiritual practice, become informed, and to take action to better manifest God’s love in the world. It is intended as a four-week adult Christian education course on protecting health and community wellbeing as people of faith. However, each section can stand alone as a one time class.
Eco Toolkit on Watersheds - From the Minneapolis Area Synod, this toolkit can be used in many ways and spans crossgenerationally. It includes litanies, prayers and sermon suggestions, as well as very pragmatic opportunities to improve the property and grounds with which your congregation is entrusted. It suggests actions that individuals and congregations can take to stretch their connection to the neighborhood as well as their liturgical life
From Inside Out - Creation Speaks invites us to look to God’s Creation, including each other, as we listen for God’s voice in the world today. By looking anew at the Creation story, campers will imagine what each part might teach us about God and our place in the world. Light, water, earth, seasons, animals, humans, and even a day of rest will invite campers to listen for God, still speaking to them today.
God's World in Community: a Creation Care resource from GenOn Ministries gives people in your church hands-on ways to apply their faith to the stewardship of God’s creation. This seven-session resource brings people of all ages together and can be used indoors, outside, in small or large groups, at church or at home.
Ryan the Rhino - From the Episcopal/Anglican tradition in South Africa comes a well thought out resource to discuss creation care. In addition to the content the expecations for intergenerational as well as how to talk with kids is well worth a look.
Nature Works Everywhere - Nature Works Everywhere gives teachers, students and families everything they need to start exploring and understanding nature around the globe alongside Nature Conservancy scientists. Our interactive lesson plans align to standards and can be customized for each classroom. Over 50+ short videos structured by age of children/youth.
Ecological Christianity through Luther’s Small Catechism - This is back to the basics, with a broader ecological perspective. Each piece of the Catechism is followed by a learning question, then by a suggested participatory action. You may use this personally, or print one section each week in your bulletin, or adapt it for confirmation classes. This is only one way to try seeing the entirety of our faith as permeated with creation care.
WWF EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES for empowering kids to explore and restore nature. Here, you’ll find FREE resources to guide you — an educator, parent, guardian or youth leader — as you lead lessons about wildlife in Canada and how young people can help conserve species and habitats. These resources have been optimized for ages 10-12, but may be suitable for other ages as well.
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Children and Youth Books:
Chicken and Cat - An early reader book (no words) by Sara Varon invites you into city life and the benefits of a garden.
Reuse This Book - by Emma Morris is a clever board book about the 3 Rs.
I Love Birds!: 52 Ways to Wonder, Wander & Explore Birds with Kids - author Jennifer Ward. Become familiar with the birds in your neighborhood and beyond—52 activities for kids ages 4 to 8
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Follow the Moon Home: A Tale of One Idea, Twenty Kids, and a Hundred Sea Turtles - A older elementary children's book about young people exploring the world around them and doing something about local needs, in this case turtle nesting. Written by Philippe Cousteau & Deborah Hopkinson Illustrated by Meilo So
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Water Boy - A children's book that takes us on the journey from fear to enjoyment to conservation of water. Written and illustrated by David McPhail
In this compelling middle-grade graphic novel The Leak, Ruth, a young journalist, is determined to uncover a secret that threatens her town. So, when she discovers a strange black slime in the man-made lake of her suburban neighborhood, she decides to investigate.
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