W E A R E A L L M I SSI ONARI ES OR W E ARE NOTH I NG
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Recognizing the close relationship between economic poverty and
environmental sustainability, a great deal of the Missionary Society’s triennial work on the Fifth Mark of Mission is closely linked to our work on
the Fourth Mark of Mission. The development of a networking platform for
churchwide mission, for example, drew initial inspiration and funding from
the General Convention budget for each Mission Mark. Similarly, our work
toward creating a state-based advocacy structure in The Episcopal Church
has grounding in both Marks.
We’re driven in this work by the understanding that safeguarding the
integrity of creation will require substantial cultural shifts in the world
around us, and that the only way The Episcopal Church can contribute
positively to these shifts is through engaging every Episcopalian in
missionary service. Early in this triennium, we partnered with Lutherans
to convene an international summit on climate change in Washington that
was made accessible to the wider Church online. In 2015, we will convene
both an online consultation to cultivate seminary and theological leadership on environmental issues as well as a thought-leadership live event
and online forum in Los Angeles entitled “Climate Change: A Community
Response.” Moreover, we award grants to dioceses in which innovative
environmental work is taking place, and is investing in new and creative
ecumenical partnerships for ecological advocacy and witness.
Together, we’re working to build a churchwide movement for the care of
creation. We’re eager to hear your ideas and to count you as a partner of the
Missionary Society.