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CREATION JUSTICE MINISTRIES
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Invest in the EPA to Protect Our Waters

10/4/2017

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Water is essential for our existence because we use water to drink, cook, and clean, but it is also sacred within our religious spaces. Many faith communities baptize and bless people with water.

One of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) duties is to protect drinking water and prevent contamination. In 1972 the Clean Water Act gave the EPA the power to enforce pollution control programs. This is one of the ways our communities empower government to protect our health and God’s creation from industries that may be polluting our waters.

The EPA has a duty to use its resources to assess and monitor waters, and respond to dangerous contamination. The EPA monitors all public U.S. waters, from streams and lakes to our household taps. Given its vast and important responsibility, the EPA is already under-resourced. Currently, the EPA budget is at risk of being dramatically cut. The Trump Administration has proposed a whopping 30% reduction in EPA funding. With less funding, will the EPA be able to maintain the same services? From Flint to Navajoland, there are still many people across the United States without access to clean water. We need to continue to progress, not regress, especially with something as essential as water.
   

As our faith calls us to act in support of those whose cause is just, yet do not always have political power We need to pray for our communities, and also take action to ensure that we continue to watch over our water. Additionally, we ask that you act by calling your congressional representatives and urge them to protect funding for the EPA.

​Because the Creation Justice community is aware that clean, safe water cannot be taken for granted, we are making an effort to pray about water. 

Here are some examples of water prayers:

Read water prayers from Emmanuel UCC in York, PA.

Find a fact sheet about water from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.


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Bless the Animals Fundraiser

10/3/2017

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In honor of this year's Season of Creation, Creation Justice Ministries raised money to help protect God's creatures and earth through the Bless the Animals Campaign. The fundraiser was made in memory of Sam, a pet and friend of an anonymous donor. The anonymous donor issued a challenge grant to match the highest donation up to $1,000. When a donation was made to the Bless the Animals Campaign, the donors pet would then be featured on Creation Justice’s social media.

Here are some of the best pets that were honored as part of the campaign.

You can still donate to Creation Justice Ministries here http://salsa4.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=GOTsWfFe6GDIQp8K0pBlXRHbQAo4PqF9

​
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Superfund Prayer Tour Near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Post)

10/2/2017

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Saturday September 30, 2017
11 AM - 1:00 PM:
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Pennsylvania community members and faith leaders gathered on a tour of Superfund Sites in northwest of Philadelphia. Deacon Sergei Kapral from the Orthodox Church in America and Reverend Louis Tillman from the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church joined our tour and prayers. Additionally, we welcomed James D. Snook, the Vice President of PennJersey Environmental Consulting, a professional who is responsible for toxic site remediation.
​

We began our tour at a park located a couple of blocks away from the first toxic site. As we gathered at the park there were several kids playing catch and in the playground. We discussed the background behind the superfund sites and how environmental issues are interconnected with faith. The park, where children were playing and homes were located was approximately 10 minutes away from the first Superfund Site.

Our first visit was to the Stanley Kessler Superfund Site, there we did not see any signs stating that the work site was an EPA Superfund site. The Weld Wire Company Inc. sits exactly on this site and there were two neighboring businesses. Mr. Snook mentioned that businesses should have EPA Superfund Site disclaimers, and places that do not have signs might be trying to hide the fact because they do not want to alarm workers and those who visit the site. Afterwards, we drove to the street behind the site and went to a local bakery that relies on local water to make its bread. The manager shared: “When I bought the land, I knew it was a dump.”

Next, we visited the Crater Resources, Inc./Keystone Coke Co./Alan Wood Steel Co. Superfund site. We stood in the parking lot of a commercial area and reflected on both sites.
James explained that the site was in better condition than the last because previous owners mostly cleaned up the space and put cement over it. Although the site appeared fine, the businesses in that area could not use the water supply in the area because it is still contaminated.

This reflects the reality of many Superfund sites that may appear fine on the outside yet are still listed under the EPA’s superfund sites and affecting the health of community members.
Finally, we prayed and continued our reflection on the second site. Reverend Tillman blessed the site and the food for our Love Feast. We honored God’s creation and prayed for the urgent recovery of these sites because God’s Creation, our earth, has been harmed. Likewise human health has suffered as a consequence of environmental injustices such as Superfund Sites.

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Community members and faith leaders at the Crater Resources, Inc./Keystone Coke Co./Alan Wood Steel Co. Superfund site.
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Rev. Tillman, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church:
The Triune God was present within our entire experience of faith, food, and fellowship. I was blessed and edified by the experience of building an authentic relationship with our neighbors in nature. One of my most breathtaking moments was presiding over the eucharist at the love feast, where we truly placed flesh on our faith by being bold and daring followers of Jesus Christ. I was honored to walk side by side in prayer and action with this dynamic group of environmental justice leaders. What a mighty God WE serve!

Huge thank you to Rev. Louis Tillman (pictured above) and Deacon Sergei Kapral (pictured below) for coming and supporting our work.
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My reflection:

Prior to the tour, I did not realize that Superfund Sites were located so close to spaces where people work and live.  I was most shocked to see how close the park and bakery were to the first site. I thought about the food that the people in this community have been consuming how it might be contaminated. Also, I questioned whether the workers in the areas near or on the site knew they were working on a Superfund Site that could have long term consequences. The second site made me question my proximity to Superfund Sites because it looked



​
Creation Justice Ministries Team in downtown Philadelphia honoring our love for Creation.

normal and like there was nothing wrong with it. Ultimately, seeing both of these sites, I questioned how many people in the community knew or how they would react if they did. It was unbelievable, and I am thankful that I was able to learn about these thanks to Creation Justice Ministries.
​
-Alicia Aguayo, Creation Justice Ministries Intern
​

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    About this Blog

    This blog shares the activities of Creation Justice Ministries. We educate and equip Christians to protect, restore, and rightly share God's creation.

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Creation Justice Ministries

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110 Maryland Ave. NE #203
Washington, DC 20002

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info@creationjustice.org

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‪(240) 528-7282‬


  • About
    • Mission
    • Staff
    • Work with Us
    • Board of Directors
    • Members and Partners
    • History
  • Campaigns
    • Take Action!
    • Climate Resilience
    • Ocean
    • Public Lands >
      • Public Lands & Church Camps
      • Public Lands: Prayers and Sermons
    • Pastoral Care for Climate Retreats
    • Conservation >
      • What is 30 x 30?
      • California
      • Grand Canyon
    • Youth & Young Adult Engagement
    • Water
    • Endangered
    • Energy >
      • Coal
      • Ideas for Toxic Free Living
    • Climate Change >
      • Climate Change - Get Involved
  • Donate
    • Monthly Giving
  • Resources
    • Resource Hub
    • Resource Hub (blog)
    • Earth Day Resources
    • Racial Justice Resources
    • Video Resources
    • Events >
      • Pastoring for Justice & Healing in a Climate Justice
      • Pastoral Care for Climate North Carolina
    • Services
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  • Policy Statements/Letters
  • Faithful Climate BIPOC Fellowship
  • New Page