Resources for Churches

Will you stand with the people of the Lake Chad Basin?
About the project Take the church challenge! Make a gift today

Around the Lake Chad basin, thousands of farmers are fighting back to stop an entire ecosystem from unraveling. And we think they can win, with your congregation’s help. The resources below are here to help you become Friends of Creation, alongside churches across Canada!

(If you haven’t read about our Friends of Creation Challenge yet, start here!)

Below, you’ll find everything you need to run Friends of Creation at your church, sorted by when you’ll need it! It’s easy to pull off — and our simple guide will walk you through the steps — click here to download it now.

Check under “General Resources” for promo materials about the campaign, and then when you’re ready to plan one of your four Sundays, click the theme below (like “Climate + Water”) to start looking through available resources for that theme. And remember — you can use them as they are, adapt them to your own needs, or pair them with your own ideas and materials—whatever best helps your community respond to the call to care for creation.

We’re here to help – email churches@clwr.org today and let us know what you need!

GENERAL RESOURCES
CLIMATE + WATER

Use the resources below for your Climate + Water Sunday:

(Click here to download the video now)

Bonus video: Hippos!

(Click here to download the video now)

CLIMATE + FOOD

Use the resources below for your Climate + Food Sunday:

(Click here to download the video now)

CLIMATE + ECONOMY

Use the resources below for your Climate + Economy Sunday:

(Click here to download the video now)

CLIMATE + PEACE

Use the resources below for your Climate + Peace Sunday:

(Click here to download the video now)

ACTION ITEMS

As part of the Friends of Creation Challenge, your congregation is invited to choose one action that helps care for creation in your everyday life. You can pick something from the list below—or come up with your own! Whether it’s cutting down on food waste, using less energy, or supporting local farmers, every small step makes a difference. Don’t forget to document your action—photos, videos, testimonials—and share the stories with us so we can celebrate your impact and inspire others! (Click here to download a PDF of this list)

Around the church

  • Start a “Green Team” at church
    Gather a small group to look at your congregation’s impact on creation! 
  • Plant something together
    Grow herbs, vegetables, or trees as a congregation, either at church or in members’ homes. Connect this to themes of resilience and nourishment. 
  • Climate Justice bulletin board or social media campaign
    Share short stories, Bible verses, or facts from the Lake Chad region each week during the challenge. 
  • Car-Free Sunday (or Carpool Week)
    Have a Sunday where members are encouraged to walk, bike, take transit, or ride-share! 
  • Become a Greening Faith Community
    ELCIC congregations are invited to register as a Greening Faith Community. You’ll get support to identify annual stewardship of creation goals and to encourage each other in seeking climate justice. 
  • Local food potluck
    Host a community meal using locally grown or seasonal ingredients and use it as an opportunity to talk about food justice and climate – and/or, do a meatless potluck! 
  • Raise your voices together
    Pick a day to write letters or postcards together to your MP or other government officials, expressing your support for climate justice! 
  • Deepen your learning
    Host an ongoing Bible study, book club – we can provide recommendations!

At home

  • Healthy home habits
    Provide a list and let everyone pick one adjustment to start with at home — like shorter showers, cold-water laundry, hang-drying laundry, composting, or powering down screens earlier in the evening! 
  • Green Your Garden
    Avoid chemical pesticides or fertilizers; plant bee-friendly flowers or herbs. 
  • Start Composting
    Try composting kitchen scraps at home—or team up with someone who already does. 
  • Zero Food Waste Challenge
    Encourage members to plan meals to use up leftovers and compost food scraps if possible. 
  • Meatless Mondays (or another plant-based meal day)
    Encourage members to eat one vegetarian meal a week as a way to reduce emissions linked to meat production.

Around the community 

  • Support local farmers!
    Buy eggs, honey, or produce from a nearby farm or co-op at least once during the challenge – or plan a congregational trip to a farmers’ market! 
  • Congregational clean-up day
    Organize a community litter pickup near your church, a park, or a local waterway. 
  • Prayer walk for creation
    Organize a walk around your neighbourhood or church grounds to pray for people and ecosystems affected by climate change—in your community, and around Lake Chad. 

Please note: Congregations are responsible for ensuring all activities follow local laws, safety guidelines, and denominational policies. This includes getting any needed licenses (e.g. for movies, raffles), following child and youth protection protocols, respecting copyright, and confirming insurance coverage. When in doubt, check with your church leadership or local authorities.