Global Warming Parish Toolkit

Frameworks for Parishes to Use to Help Set Up Parish Creation Care Teams:
Parishioners want to take action on Global Warming and care of God’s creation, but it can be hard to know where to start or how to organize your actions. Here are two frameworks you can use to get organized and start your work.

10 practical steps parishes can take. St. Francis Recognition of Model Parishes from the U.S. Catholic Bishops. Click here.

A more theological and philosophical approach- " A Covenant with Creation" from Fr. Pat Foley, TOR. Click here to view "A Covenant with Creation document or email Fr. Pat Foley at : mailto:patmax71@yahoo.com

Actions for Parishes to Take

School Presentation and Assignment - Teachers and parent volunteers can teach kids about Global Warming using this simple lesson for grades 5 and up. Set up a short presentation with religion and science classes, and give them a follow-up web-based family homework assignment. Presentation outline notes click here. Energy conservation assignment click here.

Encourage parishioners to take the Minnesota Energy Challenge by clicking here . It helps people make energy saving and money saving choices in their daily lives. With pastor approval, advertise it in church and school bulletins, set up tables after masses and hand out slips with the website address, put slips in the pews, link to it on your parish website – whatever ways you communicate best in your parish.

Encourage parishioners to contact their utility company (like Excel Energy) to:

sign up for a “Saver’s Switch” for houses with central air conditioning. Installation is done by the utility for free, and the utility gives you a discount on your electric bill

request a home energy audit be done by the utility (small fee may apply)

purchase renewable wind energy (small fee applies)

Parishes should also contact their utility to have an energy audit done for parish facilities (church, school, etc.).

Parishes can save a large sum of money by having “Saver’s Switches” installed on their air conditioning equipment. For example, Transfiguration Catholic Church in Oakdale receives a credit of $1,100 each month during the air conditioning season because they has Savers Switches installed by Xcel. Call your utility now to sign up!

Visit the Congregations for Creation website for other ideas by clicking here.

Information to Use and Share on Global Warming:

Church and School Bulletin Creation Care Tips: Click here.

DVD - Stewards of the Earth - Produced by St. Joan of Arc (Minneapolis) Eco-Spirituality Movie Team - This DVD provides compelling reasons why we should be concerned about the moral and social justice implications of global warming and includes interviews with Minnesota leaders; Archbishop Harry Flynn, Will Steger (Polar Explorer), Paul Douglas (WCCO Meteorologist), J. Drake Hamilton (Science Policy Director, Fresh Energy). Order by contacting OSJ at 651-.291-4477 or email at osj@archspm.org.

A multi-week learning experience for small parish groups on the Catholic approach to Climate Change from JustFaith. Visit the JustFaith website by clicking here.

Fast Facts from National Geographic on Global Warming by clicking here.

Speakers available - Deacon Glenn Skuta and Fr. Pat Foley, TOR are available to speak to parish groups on Global Warming and Stewardship of Creation. Contact them by emailing them at: Deacon Glenn Skuta or Fr. Pat Foley, TOR .
Catholic Teaching and statements on global warming:

Read the U.S. Bishops' statement on global warming, Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence, and the Common Good

Read Archbishop Flynn's video message from Global Warming: A Catholic Perspective, or to borrow a copy, contact OSJ at mailto:osj@archspm.org

Read Archbishop Flynn’s January 2007 address to the state legislature clicking here.

Read Bishop Pates' reflections given at Global Warming: A Catholic Perspective.
Visit the US Catholic Bishop’s Climate Change website by clicking here.

Advocacy

The 2008 GWAT legislative agenda is under development. Likely elements will include advocating aggressive implementation of the Next Generation Energy Act and the State Renewable Energy Standard that were passed in 2007.

Follow the developing policy and action recommendations of the Minnesota Climate Change Advisory workgroup by clicking here.

Encourage your city’s mayor to sign on to the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement by clicking here.