Religious Community Engaging to End Mountaintop Removal

by Joshua Ashton Hill

So youre reading this, but youre not sure what you can do to act on your faith.  Indeed, the struggle against mountaintop removal is vast, but so is our God.  If we respond to this crisis in faithful ways, God will be faithful. 

Together, we will end this violence.  Here are a few ideas for putting your faith in action:

Publicly post your denominations Official Resolution on Mountaintop Removal on your churchs bulletin board.  Resolutions are posted at www.ohvec.org/temp/ch_syn_against_mtr.pdf and www.ilovemountains.org/resolutions.

If your denomination is not represented above, find out why. 

Organize a viewing of the DVD Kilowatt Ours in your church, Sunday school class, youth group or bible study.

Conduct an energy audit for your house of worship.  Visit www.elca.org/advocacy/environment/envaudit.pdf  for more information.

Ask your pastor and/or church leaders to utilize the National Council of Churches Eco-Justice curriculum resources.  They are available at: www.nccecojustice.org/resources.html

Make a love offering for Christians for the Mountains.  Visit the site at www.christiansforthemountains.org/ 

Print your churchs monthly electricity bill in the bulletin or order of worship.

Buy green power if it is offered by your utility.  If not, write a letter to your utility expressing your desire to do so.

Encourage your pastor to incorporate environmental awareness into prayers and sermons.

Plant trees on your churchs land to offset carbon emissions from burning coal.

Have conversations with members of your church who may disagree with you.  Remember, the spirit of Christ is the spirit of prophetic peacemaking.

Pray. Pray. Pray.