EcoFaith Summit 2021 |
Now the Green Blade rises from the buried grain 2021 - Saturday, April 17, 2021
Mark your calendars now for the Next EcoFaith Summit -
(Location TBA)
Now the Green Blade rises from the buried grain.
March 27, 2020
Dear Friends in Earthkeeping,
When we chose the theme for this spring’s EcoFaith Summit, Now the Green Blade Rises: The Easter Gospel for the Whole Creation, no one knew we would be facing a global pandemic that would threaten our health and our health care systems, and disrupt our lives, our livelihoods, and our ability to gather in person --- including worship on Easter. The trembling web of creation now trembles with an unfamiliar virus, and human civilization is trembling too.
Already, nothing is untouched.
As we move into massive response to the coronavirus epidemic, the questions that led to the 2020 EcoFaith Summit keep stirring.
Like buried grain, these questions are deepening, germinating … within us as we shelter at home, among us, as we seek alternative ways to be in community. The haunting melody of the Easter hymn, Now the Green Blade Rises, is ringing in our ears, singing new life from death for earth in its distress.
For this reason, the leadership team of the EcoFaith Network (NE MN Synod ELCA) announces the next EcoFaith Summit, Now the Green Blade Rises 2021, to take place on the Saturday before Earth Day, April 17. This is a date to mark in all our calendars now.
Between now and then, the EcoFaith Network of the NE MN Synod ELCA will offer ways to connect with one another and nurture the green blades rising in our communities and congregations. During Holy Week, we will share a special EcoFaith Easter message addressing What does it mean to proclaim the Resurrection in and for a wounded creation during this time of pandemic? In the months to come, we will offer eight brief video segments called Moments of Arising, based on the expanded eight stanza version of Now the Green Blade Rises*, including prayer, reflection, and action opportunities. Additionally, you can expect some invitations to video conferencing, along with periodic EcoFaith email updates, Facebook posts, and an expanded EcoFaith. We also hope to have personal contact with you and welcome your emails or calls!
In earth's distress, including the current distress of this pandemic, we sing the promise of renewal. Now the green glade rises from buried grain. Love comes again like wheat arising green. Let's keep our ears open to the melody of Life over death, and our eyes open to green blades rising, even now.
Your partners in this hope +
Pastor Kristin Foster and Pastor Dave Carlson, Co-Chairs
On behalf of the Leadership Team of the EcoFaith Network (NE MN Synod)
*Additional four stanzas composed by Paul Jacobson
Printable Letter
(Location TBA)
Now the Green Blade rises from the buried grain.
March 27, 2020
Dear Friends in Earthkeeping,
When we chose the theme for this spring’s EcoFaith Summit, Now the Green Blade Rises: The Easter Gospel for the Whole Creation, no one knew we would be facing a global pandemic that would threaten our health and our health care systems, and disrupt our lives, our livelihoods, and our ability to gather in person --- including worship on Easter. The trembling web of creation now trembles with an unfamiliar virus, and human civilization is trembling too.
Already, nothing is untouched.
As we move into massive response to the coronavirus epidemic, the questions that led to the 2020 EcoFaith Summit keep stirring.
- How can we proclaim the Resurrection in and for a wounded creation?
- What is motivating young activists to address the climate crisis?
- What green blades are rising in our midst, raising a grassroots movement among us?
Like buried grain, these questions are deepening, germinating … within us as we shelter at home, among us, as we seek alternative ways to be in community. The haunting melody of the Easter hymn, Now the Green Blade Rises, is ringing in our ears, singing new life from death for earth in its distress.
For this reason, the leadership team of the EcoFaith Network (NE MN Synod ELCA) announces the next EcoFaith Summit, Now the Green Blade Rises 2021, to take place on the Saturday before Earth Day, April 17. This is a date to mark in all our calendars now.
Between now and then, the EcoFaith Network of the NE MN Synod ELCA will offer ways to connect with one another and nurture the green blades rising in our communities and congregations. During Holy Week, we will share a special EcoFaith Easter message addressing What does it mean to proclaim the Resurrection in and for a wounded creation during this time of pandemic? In the months to come, we will offer eight brief video segments called Moments of Arising, based on the expanded eight stanza version of Now the Green Blade Rises*, including prayer, reflection, and action opportunities. Additionally, you can expect some invitations to video conferencing, along with periodic EcoFaith email updates, Facebook posts, and an expanded EcoFaith. We also hope to have personal contact with you and welcome your emails or calls!
In earth's distress, including the current distress of this pandemic, we sing the promise of renewal. Now the green glade rises from buried grain. Love comes again like wheat arising green. Let's keep our ears open to the melody of Life over death, and our eyes open to green blades rising, even now.
Your partners in this hope +
Pastor Kristin Foster and Pastor Dave Carlson, Co-Chairs
On behalf of the Leadership Team of the EcoFaith Network (NE MN Synod)
*Additional four stanzas composed by Paul Jacobson
Printable Letter
The EcoFaith Network holds an annual EcoFaith Summit to bring God’s people together to encourage, enlighten, and engage each other in God’s movement of healing and renewal for the whole earth creation.
Through worship, speakers, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities, the spring EcoFaith Summit is energizing earth stewards among churches not only in the northeastern Minnesota Synod
but throughout the upper Midwest.
Through worship, speakers, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities, the spring EcoFaith Summit is energizing earth stewards among churches not only in the northeastern Minnesota Synod
but throughout the upper Midwest.
Previous Summit Resources:
Ecofaith Summit 2019: Creation, Church, and You: Earthkeeping Practically Speaking