5.png

CREATION CARE JUSTICE NETWORK

The Creation Care Justice Network (CCJN) was founded as a ministry in the Diocese of Massachusetts by Bishop Suffragan Bud Cedarholm after the Diocesan Convention endorsed the Genesis Covenant in 2010. We have a record of advocacy for climate-related actions at the diocesan level, including local adoption of the 6th promise of the Baptismal Covenant and passage of several resolutions related to the environment, climate justice, and divestiture of fossil fuel investments.

An Episcopal Path to Creation Justice (the Path) is a project of the grassroots Creation Care Justice Network of the Dioceses of Massachusetts and Western Massachusetts. We are inspired by the call of the Episcopal Covenant to Care of Creation for dioceses to develop contextual resources for Prayer and Formation, Advocacy, and Action, as well as by programs from ecumenical partners such as the UCC Creation Justice Churches and UU Green Sanctuaries.

Interested in joining CCJN? We meet online twice monthly, and we welcome new volunteers. Email us at CreationJusticeEpisMA@gmail.com.

THE PATH LEADERSHIP TEAM

VOLUNTEERS

Many lay and clergy volunteers in CCJN have contributed in significant ways to the concept and content of the Path.  Here are two examples of the individuals who are contributing their passion, commitment, unique gifts, life experience, and insight:

SUE SWANSON

Ms. Sue Swanson is a retired librarian with a lifelong interest in justice, equity, and the environment. Prior to her current focus on climate activism, she worked with Bread for the World to organize advocacy campaigns in several churches around federal legislation that address hunger and poverty.

In addition to her work with CCJN and the “Green Teams” in two separate congregations, she is an active member of the grassroots climate organization Mothers Out Front.

ALEX CHATFIELD

Alex Chatfield is a social worker who joined CCJN in 2019. A lifelong Episcopalian, he has served as a lay leader at St. Anne’s in-the-Fields Episcopal Church, where he co-founded the Climate Justice Ministry in 2015. Projects related to worship, education, and energy efficiency have included installing solar panels, divesting the church’s endowment from fossil fuels, and hosting a popular climate justice documentary film series.

In 2019, Alex hosted three Climate Communication workshops that trained 100 volunteers from both MA Dioceses. He is a member of secular climate groups, including 350 MA, No Coal No Gas, and the Lincoln Green Energy Committee. He has trained volunteers in peaceful civil disobedience and has been arrested multiple times for resisting fossil fuel infrastructure and coal burning in New England.