Here are some ideas for activities around the Preach-In. Whatever you choose to do, the objective remains the same. Please help people of faith understand that global warming is a moral issue, and send a lot of “Love Creation” postcards to President Obama. The postcards are included in both the free online organizer’s kit, and the $15 mailed kit when you register for your Preach-In materials.
Hold a sermon or talk on global warming
Click here for inspiration and resources. You are part of something big! On the weekend before Valentine’s Day, clergy, lay leaders, and other people of faith across the nation will speak of their abiding love for God’s Creation and concern about the global warming. Our cause is more urgent than ever. At his first news conference after re-election, President Obama said, “I am a firm believer that climate change is real, that it is impacted by human behavior and carbon emissions. And as a consequence, I think we’ve got an obligation to future generations to do something about it.” Preach-In participants will have the opportunity to send postcards asking President Obama to honor this pledge. Use your sermon or talk to inspire listeners to send postcards to the President. If you need more postcards, you can order them when you register.
Screen a movie and have a discussion
The 2013 Preach-In will focus on how climate disruption is affecting vulnerable communities worldwide, from East Coast residents battered by Superstorm Sandy to Midwestern farmers besieged by drought to people on the island of Kiribati whose homeland is literally sinking into the Pacific Ocean due to rising seas. The feature film is The Hungry Tide, an award-winning 53-minute documentary showing how people in Kiribati are coping as global warming changes a way of life they’ve known for thousands of years. Order the DVD or download The Hungry Tide Discussion Guide. Collect signatures and postcards to President Obama around this activity.
Organize a youth activity
Find ideas for youth and children by clicking here. Among them are excerpts from Brilliant Magazine’s “Caring for Our Planet” issue, which won the APEX Award of Excellence for Green Writing. The issue was produced in observance of the “UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, 2005-2014.”
Host a house party
You may prefer to hold a Preach-In on Global Warming House Party. Encourage guests to bring a sustainable treat, watch a movie, talk about the issues, and share ideas for taking action. Be sure to collect and send postcards to President Obama.
Consider a plate share for vulnerable communities
As part of your Preach-In, consider a plate-share or fundraising activity to help our partner faith communities in Tanzania, Cameroon, Ghana, and Cambodia who are working to protect and restore forests (and thus the climate) through our Carbon Covenant program. You can send your contribution directly to Interfaith Power & Light using the downloadable remit card. Anything you can give will go a long way and will help show that people in the U.S. care about those in the developing world who are coping with the impacts of climate change.
Share What You’re Planning and List Your Activity on the Map
The Preach-In on Global Warming website now features an interactive map that shows all of the different activities planned across the nation. Provide inspiration to others by adding your activity to the map. It’s also a great way to promote your activity in your area and attract new congregants who are interested in this issue. Be sure to include a description and a picture of your congregation or other photograph that you find inspirational. Use the map on the homepage to see what others are doing in your state.