North American Coalition for Christianity and Ecology (NACCE)
| Abstract | An ecumenical organization, the North American Coalition for Christianity and Ecology (NACCE) highlights environmental dimensions of the Christian tradition, helps Christian individuals and churches become more ecologically responsible, and works with people of other traditions in the common effort to create a more sustainable global society. Understanding the Earth to be God’s creation, NACCE calls on Christians to respond to ecological destruction with repentance and creativity and to draw strength in this effort from Christ’s redeeming love and from the power of the Holy Spirit. The NACCE seeks to make connections between Christians, the Christian tradition, and ecology through publications, educational events, gatherings, and collaborative projects. Since its founding, NACCE has organized regional, national, and continental conferences and sponsored regional affiliates and resource centers. Its journal, Firmament, was replaced in 1991 by its newsletter, Earthkeeping News, which can be accessed through the NACEE website. |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Geographic Location | North America |
| Duration of Project | 1986–Present |
| History | The origins of the North American Coalition for Christianity and Ecology date back to 1985, when Fr. Albert Fritsch of Appalachia Science in the Public Interest, David Haenke of the Ozarks Bioregional Project, and Fred Krueger of the San Francisco-based Eleventh Commandment Fellowship, decided to initiate a Christian Ecological movement in North America. Through outreach to Christian leaders, they organized an initial planning conference in Syria, Virginia in May of 1986, which was attended by forty people from various denominations. In 1986 they incorporated as the North American Conference on Christianity and Ecology, a nonprofit organization. The first conference, held in August of 1987 in Indiana, was attended by more than 500 people. A central office was established in San Francisco in 1987 and in 1988, a second office was added in Washington, D.C., where six regional NACCE conferences were held. In addition to holding regional Earth Day conferences and co-sponsoring Soil and Water Stewardship Week with the National Association of Conservation Districts, NACCE cosponsored an environmental seminar in Russia in 1991. In 1992, NACCE established local groups in Illinois and North Carolina and the Green Cross journal was taken over by the Evangelical Environmental Network. The following year, NACCE formed a Hospitality Network and Speakers Bureau, organized conferences in four different states, and co-sponsored the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago. In 1994, the Board sponsored collaborative projects and regional coalitions, such as the Christian Youth Ecology conference, that were cosponsored by the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Ecumenical Ministries of of Southern California. Major conferences included: “Survival of the Planet: A Challenge to Faith Communities” (Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1989); “Discerning the Signs of These Times” (Milwaukee, Wisconsin,1996); “Spirit and Religion in the Ecological Age: Empowering Environmental Work” (Little Rock, Arkansas, 2001); “Bringing the Church Back Down to Earth,” cosponsored by The Center for Progressive Christianity (St. Paul, Minnesota, 2004). |
| Mission Statement |
“The continuing devastation of Earth is a crisis of the human spirit. To address this crisis:
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| Partner Organizations | None Listed |
| Long-Term Goals | None Listed |
| Bibliography | None Listed |
| Additional Research Resources | None Listed |
| Contact Information | North American Coalition for Christianity and Ecology (NACCE) P.O. Box 40011 St. Paul, MN 55104 Phone: 651.698.0349 Email: eudyson@att.net |