AME Church Calls All Congregants into Climate Justice
The African Methodist Episcopal Church stands together with other leaders of faith who are calling for urgent action on climate change on behalf of the world’s poor and God’s creation. Climate change exacerbates injustice, with the most vulnerable among us impacted first and worst, which fuels greater racial, economic, gender, food, and environmental inequities. AMEs are called to work toward climate justice as we walk in our faith.
Our Calling
Jesus commands us to “love one another” (John 13:34), and God has given us the responsibility to care for God’s good creation (Gen 1:28, Gen 2:15). The burning of fossil fuels is polluting our airs and waters, warming the planet and putting our seasons out of balance — with low-income and rural communities, communities of color, the children, elderly, and our faithful in the Caribbean and Africa bearing the greatest burden.
AME Bishops are Committed to Climate Justice
AME bishops offer testimony on how the AME church is working for climate justice and solutions, and how all AMEs can help to be part of the solution.
Join AME Congregations + Strengthen Your Congregation through Creation Care
One Home One Future is a multifaith campaign to strengthen congregations by educating, activating, and supporting clergy, congregants, youth, and all spiritual people in meaningful and just climate solutions – even if you are just getting started.
Climate justice is of critical importance for all, including those of Africa and the African Diaspora and requires the focus and concerted efforts of the AME Church.
Congregations receive free congregational toolkits with a banner to hang in front of their house of worship, plus free access to training and guides, a robust resource hub, programming opportunities, events, and an online community of practice to connect and collaborate within and across faith traditions.
The One Home One Future campaign offers Seven Pathways for action designed to meet you and your community where you are:
Train to be an AME Climate Ambassador
Strengthen your knowledge about climate change, working toward climate justice, and how to speak with and influence others with confidence and success. This four-hour training, which you can do online and on your own time, is offered to you from AME in partnership with Blessed Tomorrow. The training is FREE, delivered through an online Learning Management System, and comes with resources and the opportunity (within certain districts) to receive financial incentives for speaking about, taking action on, or advocating for climate solutions locally, regionally, or nationally.
Practical Guidance for Churches and Congregations
Download the Moving Forward: A Guide to Climate Action For Your Congregation and Community from AME partner Blessed Tomorrow, which provides practical information and resources to reduce energy use, strengthen the resilience of churches as sanctuary from a changing climate, and encourage support for policies that better care for God’s creation. También disponible en español.
Climate Action Sheets — What to Know & What to Do
Learn how climate change affects things you care about and accessible ways to act on solutions, then help others to do the same. Use these free, practical, two-page guides from AME partner Blessed Tomorrow that tell you what you need to know and what you need to do about climate change, then share them widely with others around you!
Become an AME Climate Justice Congregation
Download this Guide
Step 2: If you feature climate change on your church website and link back to this AME climate page, you may be eligible to receive a grant from AME partner Blessed Tomorrow. For more information email info@blessedtomorrow.org
Step 3: Join like-minded congregational leaders in the Blessed Tomorrow Leadership Circle. Participate in an online community of sharing and collaboration called Mobilize, offered through AME partner Blessed Tomorrow. Get access to additional tools and resources, connect with leaders in faith, health, and local communities, and be first to learn about opportunities for climate action. For more information and to request to join email info@blessedtomorrow.org
Stay Informed
Sign up for the Blessed Tomorrow Newsletter to get monthly access to the latest news, resources, research, events, and opportunities for awards and action to walk in your faith for climate justice.
Ms. Robin Porter Smith, Climate Justice Coordinator
climatejustice@ameced.com
Climate Justice Resource by AME Clergywoman and Scholar
Author: Dr. Betty Whitted Holley
This sourcebook serves as a resource for black church and faith-based educational institutions, mainly seminaries, to train clergy and lay leaders in practical ministries focused on environmental issues and problems. It enables African American congregations to maintain a continuous awareness about issues centered on environmental justice. This sourcebook contains essays as well as worship and other educational resources.
Price: $20.00