Come vote for who YOU find inspiring!

It's that time of year again, and Earth Ministry is delighted to once again be hosting our inspiring Celebration of St. Francis event, featuring our Third Annual Creation Care Sermon Contest. This year, the event will be held on October 2nd from 4-6pm at Olympic View Community Church in Seattle, WA.

This event will feature creation care sermons by four contest finalists. Additionally, members of Earth Ministry's thirty-six Greening Congregations will be honored for their greening work. We encourage our Greening Congregations to send representatives from their church who will be asked to stand and be recognized for their accomplishments. The sermon contest will be followed by a heavy hors d'oeuvres reception.

Our finalists this year are:

Rev. Doug Bland, Tempe, AZ

Grappling Green

Rev. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas, Northampton, MA

When a Leaf Needs to Speak

Minister Stephen Epps, Brooklyn, NY

Earth's Answer To A Curious Journey

Rev. John Helmiere, Seattle, WA

I Worship the Author of the Horrendous Space Kablooie

Congratulations also to our honorable mention, Bill Scarvie of Bainbridge Island, WA!

Attendees of the Celebration of St. Francis on October 2 will be able to vote for the best sermon. The sermon contest is a fundraiser to support the religious environmental work of Earth Ministry. Attendees on October 2 will vote by making a donation to Earth Ministry and indicating which sermon is their favorite. Two awards will be presented: The People’s Choice Award will go to the contestant with the highest number of votes as indicated on the donation ballot. The Franciscan Philanthropist Award will go to the contestant whose votes raise the most money in support of Earth Ministry’s work and mission.

Event admission is free, but we will ask you to help us select the winner by voting with your dollars - a donation that supports the work of Earth Ministry and is tax deductible.