This October marks the 40th anniversary of the Christian environmental justice organization, Creation Justice Ministries. In celebration, they will be holding a special event on Thursday October 26 at 7pm EST. The event will take place in-person, for those in the Washington DC area, but will also be live-streamed. Dr. Ben Chavis will preach and the celebratory service will feature the world premiere of two choral pieces by musicians and composers Ken Medema and Cathy Chamblee: “Sacred Earth” and “Elegy for a Glacier.” The event is free and open to all, but pre-registration is required. Register here. And read full information on the event here.
From the Creation Justice Ministries website:
For 40 years, Creation Justice Ministries has acted on the Christian vocation to seek justice for God’s planet and people. A leading faith voice representing denominations across Christian traditions, Creation Justice Ministries has long inspired and equipped people across the country to protect, restore, and rightly share God’s creation. To celebrate our significant 40th anniversary milestone, we invite you to a Service of Celebration with a joyful reception to follow. We will tell our story with past and present leaders of Creation Justice Ministries; identify hope for the present moment; and inspire the world for the work to come with music, prayer, and fellowship.
An exciting aspect of this celebration is that Rev Dr Benjamin Chavis will be the guest preacher for the celebratory service. As many Forum readers are aware, Ben Chavis was one of the early leaders of the environmental justice movement in the late 1970s. Along with Dollie Burwell and Rev Leon Wright, he helped fight the Warren County landfill. He coined the term “environmental racism” and led the UCC’s Commission for Racial Justice, which published the historic report: Toxic Wastes and Race in the United States. You can find many articles and other resources concerning Dr. Chavis in our Ecojustice hub, particularly in the Religious overview and Christianity sections. Here are a few key resources:
- See this excellent overview on Warren County and the start of the movement from the UCC.
- Read this 2021 Washington Post article on the legacy of Warren County and Ben Chavis.
- Explore Dr Ben Chavis' website with his biography, videos of his talks, information on his publications and more.
United Church of Christ
April 22, 2020