PEC’s Advocacy Committee Develops Overtures for the 227th PCUSA General Assembly

 

by Fred Milligan

Three Overtures sponsored by the Cayuga-Syracuse Presbytery call for further extension of policies already approved by PCUSA General Assemblies on environmental justice issues.

“On the Importance of Regenerative Farming Practices in Caring for Creation” calls for education for Presbyterians through PCUSA church-wide programs, such as the Office of Public Witness and the Presbyterian Hunger Program, on regenerative farming consistent with the 2014 General Assembly “Food Sovereignty for All” overture. It also calls for advocacy in public policy that promotes regenerative farming and supports small farms, similar to the policy adopted by the 2022 General Assembly.

“Changing Course for a Green Future” calls for completing, by 2030, the ongoing gradual divestment of Presbyterian Foundation and Board of Pensions investments from companies that earn over 50% of their profits from fossil fuel extraction, production, transport, and marketing. This would bring the church’s financial practices into alignment with the current climate science consensus and with other commitments the PCUSA has made during the 2022, 2024, and several previous General Assemblies.

“The Green Future Endowment Fund” provides for the creation of a “just transition” fund, first recommended by the 218^th General Assembly in 2008 but not implemented. This fund would provide grants to churches, through a needs-based process, to reduce fossil fuel use. The fund would also provide grants to support communities and habitats adversely affected by climate change and other environmental justice-related concerns, as part of a just transition away from the current fossil fuel-based economy and toward one based on renewable energy sources.

Please visit the PEC website for more information on how your congregation or presbytery can help promote these earth care overtures.

 

Rev. Fred Milligan, H.R., is the Co-Facilitator of the PEC Advocacy Committee.