D030 Create a Task Force in Imagining a Church Grounded in Creation Healing as Christian Ministry

Final Status: Concurred as Substituted and Amended

Resolved, That in the event that this 81st General Convention approves the formation of a Standing Commission on environmental matters, the duties assigned to the Task Force created below shall be assumed by the Standing Commission and no Task Force shall be formed; and be it further

Resolved, That this General Convention direct the creation of a Task Force on Creation Healing as Christian Ministry with 16 members, to include 2 bishops, 2 priests, 2 deacons, and 10 laypersons, and shall include among the 16 members at least eight (8) people of color, including at least four (4) indigenous members in that number; and be it further

Resolved, That the Task Force so formed shall do the following work and report  the results by November 2026 to Executive Council and to the 82d General Convention:

  1. in consultation with the staff of the General Convention Office, conduct a survey of diocesan efforts on creation care and compile the information needed, including contacts, to aid in the formation of networks of similar efforts;
  2. Identify available program and teaching resources for use by dioceses and congregations to use in teaching about creation care and ecojustice ministry;
  3. formulate detailed recommendations for changes in The Episcopal Church needed to support creation healing and ecojustice as Christian ministry, including changes in the areas of governance, structure, prayer, liturgy, catechesis and lifelong formation for discipleship, especially with laypeople;
  4. consult with the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music and the Standing Commission on Governance, Structure, Constitution and Canons, and other relevant interim bodies in formulating appropriate recommendations for changes in liturgy, prayer, and governance to support this ministry;

And be it further

Resolved, That the Task Force shall work with the Office of Government Relations and with program staff of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society to help assure the robust presentation of indigenous viewpoints in national and international forums addressing climate change, resource extraction, clean energy, biodiversity, and adaptation treaties, laws, and binding rules, as well as assuring that procedures for making such decisions expressly include presentation of indigenous viewpoints; and be it further

Resolved, That the Task Force shall also work to prepare and disseminate by December 2025:

  1. Prayers and study materials for use by dioceses, congregations, and church institutions to use in their regular business meetings to help assure the reverent treatment of creation in their decisions, including steps to correct and amend past harmful uses of creation and sinful treatment of marginalized people in past decisions;
  2. Appropriate liturgical and program materials for dioceses to offer in annual or more frequent diocesan-wide events, programs, and liturgies to engage their congregations and members in listening to and understanding God’s love for all creation and our complicity in its wounding, with attention to our local opportunities for repentance and healing; 

And be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention request that the Executive Council Budget Committee consider a budget allocation of $10,000 for the implementation of this resolution.