Presbyterians for Restoring Creation (PRC)
| Abstract | A national grassroots organization of the Presbyterian Church (USA), Presbyterians for Restoring Creation (PRC) seeks to help Presbyterians respond to the interconnected human and ecological crises that desecrate God’s creation. Drawing from the biblical and theological heritage of the Reformed tradition, PRC calls for a faithful response based on God’s love of creation, Christ’s transformative healing, and the power of the Holy Spirit at work in the world. Adopting the ethical norms of equity, sustainability, frugality, and community, PRC calls for a fundamental transformation of attitude and lifestyle based on the Christian notions of radical discipleship and supportive fellowship. PRC’s commitment to earthkeeping and eco-justice takes many forms. Through conferences, resource materials, and its quarterly newsletter, the PRC Update, PRC works to keep people informed, connected, and inspired to carry on the weighty task of restoring creation. PRC’s political advocacy work includes grassroots mobilization on specific eco-justice issues as well as direct lobbying efforts through the Presbyterian United Nations Office and the World Council of Churches’ Ecumenical Team. The Presbyterian Washington Office circulates information and alerts through its “Ecology and Environment” list-serve. In addition to PRC’s informative website, a variety of resources are available through the Environmental Justice Office of the Presbyterian Church (USA), including materials for worship services, Earth Day celebrations, and congregational reflection and action groups. The Presbyterian Coffee Project helps congregations practice eco-justice by purchasing fairly traded coffee. PRC also organizes biennial environmental justice conferences, the most recent of which drew nearly 200 people to Linfield College in Oregon in 2002. In the fall of 2003, PRC joined with the Presbyterian Camp and Conference Center Association to promote creation care in Presbyterian camps and conference centers. |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Geographic Location | United States of America |
| Duration of Project | 1995–Present |
| History |
In 1990, the 202nd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) adopted the policy report “Restoring Creation for Ecology and Justice” with a ninety-seven percent majority vote. The report calls Presbyterians to focus on caring for creation as a central concern and to incorporate this concern into the life and mission of the church at every level. PRC was founded in 1995 to implement this new charge of restoring creation through outreach, networking, and support. Actively supported by PRC, the Presbyterian General Assembly approved an overture on Preserving Bio-Diversity and Halting Mass Extinction in 2001. PRC continues to work toward fulfilling the church’s environmental policies, creating new policies when needed, educating about global environmental matters from a faith perspective, and striving to maintain the integrity of God’s creation. |
| Mission Statement | “Our mission is to gather a grassroots fellowship of Presbyterians to seek support and implementation of Restoring Creation through all agencies of ministry within the church; to foster networks of Presbyterians from all walks of life to learn from Holy Scripture and life experiences in order to share gifts and skills for restoring and preserving creation for future generations; to cooperate with others who are actively involved in living lightly on the earth through ecumenical, national, and community organizations, and in all, to be faithful to the call of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.” |
| Partner Organizations | Earth Ministry Endangered Species Coalition Environmental Justice Office of the Presbyterian Church (USA) Orion Society Presbyterian Camp and Conference Center Association Presbyterian United Nations Office World Council of Churches (WCC) |
| Long-Term Goals | None Listed |
| Bibliography | None Listed |
| Additional Research Resources | None Listed |
| Contact Information |
Presbyterians for Restoring Creation |