Ever since 1970, Earth Day has been observed on April 22 as a broad-based celebration of the environmental movement.

Many churches have made use of Earth Day as an occasion to bring an environmental focus into their worship, education and service. Often, Earth Day is adopted as the theme for the congregation's Sunday worship service. It is also a great occasion for several congregations to join in an ecumenical or interfaith service.

Water as the 2003 Theme

Within an international context, the issue of clean and accessible water is particularly visible and important. Several statements and events make the theme timely and relevant as awareness and momentum are building to address water issues on a global scale.

• The United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed 2003 as the International Year of Freshwater.

• In November, 2002, the United Nations Committee on Economic, Cultural and Social Rights declared formally for the first time that safe and secure drinking water is a human right.

• On March 22, 2003, the 3rd World Water Forum will be held in Kyoto, Japan.

The theme of water is especially timely in those areas of the world that are moving into another year of extreme drought. In such places (including the Rocky Mountain region, the "home base" for Eco-Justice Ministries), it will be appropriate to lift up local issues, bring ethical perspectives to water use and resource allocation, and to have participants join in acts of commitment for conservation and education.

Worship Resources from the National Council of Churches

The Eco-Justice Working Group of the National Council of Churches has prepared some fine worship resources on the theme of Waters of Life: Enough for All. There's a bulletin insert with a call to worship, a responsive prayer, and a collection of facts on "the water-poverty connection." The resource set also has "sermon starters," background information and reflections, links to additional information, and will soon have strategies for action. The National Council of Churches resources are available at www.WebOfCreation.org/ncc/earthday/2003.

The Earth Day Network

In 2003, the Earth Day Network is also focusing on water. This April 22, they will be kicking off a major campaign, Water for Life. Within that campaign, issues of water availability and quality will be highlighted in a program called The Ten Thirstiest Children on Earth.

Other resources on this year's theme include programs for testing local water quality, and a campaign calling on businesses to conserve and protect water resources.

The network's site is at www.EarthDay.org. (The Earth Day Network is also connected with Grist Magazine, an on-line environmental news source that has a sense of humor!)

Scheduling for Churches

• Using this theme for the Sunday following Earth Day, April 27, can add focus and energy to what is often a "low Sunday."

• A service on Tuesday, April 22, can work especially well for a community event that will draw participants from many congregations.

• If dates close to April 22 don't work well in your church calendar, it is OK to shift your local celebration to a different date.