Eco DioChicago

05/15/2026

Some folks from Eco DioChicago will be attending? We encourage you to consider joining us.

05/01/2026

We're looking at putting together another cohort of parishes to apply for funds for a Level II energy audit. Let us know if you're interested!

If you're not sure what a Level II Energy Audit is check out this story: https://episcopalchicago.org/five-congregations-receive-energy-audits-through-joint-grant-coordinated-by-eco-diochicago/

PARISH PARTNER GRANTS - APPLY ONLINE - JUNE 10

On June 10, 2026, Episcopal Charities will publish a link to our Request for Proposals (RFP) for the 2026-2027 Parish Partner Grants Cycle! Stay tuned so that you and your parish community are available for a fruitful partnership with Episcopal Charities this year! 🌷

Please share this with all parishes, clergy, and partner organizations that may have an interest in working with Episcopal Charities in the Diocese of Chicago to build a more just and merciful world. 🌷

04/30/2026

Are you in, or near Aurora? Come see us at the Aurora Greenfest on Saturday! We'll have lots of great resources to share for individuals and congregations alike and would love to chat.

🌎"This is not a rehearsal... We only have one earth. We only have one home." — Jane Fonda

🌳Happy Earth Day, Aurora! ✨
Today is a powerful reminder that the choices we make today determine the health of our only home for years to come.
If you’re looking for a way to turn that inspiration into action, join us for Aurora GreenFest 2026 on May 2nd!
🌱We’re bringing the community together to celebrate local sustainability, share green resources, and build a more resilient future for our city.
Let’s make every day Earth Day. See you there! 🌿✨

04/30/2026

Register for the One Book, One Diocese Author Discussion on May 7 at 7 p.m. on Zoom!

Author Elizabeth A. Johnson will join us for a diocesan-wide discussio of her book "Come, Have Breakfast: Meditations on God and the Earth." This year’s program is co-sponsored by the Peace and Justice Committee and ECO DioChicago, the diocesan creation care committee, uniting our diocese around learning, reflection and creation care.

Register for Discussion @ https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/0XUgI4ggQHSvJNsG5h26Cg #/registration

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

04/25/2026

On April 8, environmental advocates from across Illinois gathered at the State Capitol in Springfield to raise a unified voice in support of legislation to protect our planet, an expression of our shared call to care for God’s creation. Alan Medsker, a member of Eco DioChicago, joined the group which was led by The Illinois Environmental Council (IEC). Participants traveled by bus, train, and car, arriving ready to engage directly with their elected representatives.

Thanks to a preparatory Zoom session earlier in the week, and additional guidance along the way, all attendees were well-equipped for meetings with their representatives. Among those present were members of Faith in Place and others from across the faith community, including Episcopalians committed to living out our baptismal covenant to strive for justice and peace and to respect the dignity of every human being.

Following the legislative meetings, participants gathered for a rally in the Capitol Rotunda. Speakers including legislators, organizational leaders, volunteers, and faith representatives offered words of encouragement and hope, reminding those present that advocacy can be both faithful witness and practical action.

For many, this was a first experience of engaging in public advocacy. They left not only encouraged by being part of something larger, but also better prepared to continue this work; caring for creation and seeking justice for our neighbors, now and in the days ahead. And, importantly, it was an energizing and joyful day!

You are invited to join the upcoming IEC advocacy day on Saturday, May 30, which will be focusing on the POWER act.

Signup to attend @ ilenviro.org/iec-lobby-days/

Learn more about advocacy by reading Eco DioChicago's Guide to Clean Energy Advocacy: docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSLJWqP1yXH4FtrLa50rgf7slEq2k0OmLF0y2oG9Utx3T85bawAL6yaoSYzFFlbmg/pub

📸 Alan and two advocates with their district Rep Grasse, she is an ordained UCC minister and hospice chaplain. Photo courtesy of Alan Medsker.

Episcopal Diocese of Chicago Episcopal Charities

04/21/2026

Join presiding bishop for special Earth Day / Creation Care call

Wednesday, April 22 at 2 p.m. Central Time

Register to join @ https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NscYGg96RoiIGZUhz7H9Bg?mc_cid=52195650bd #/registration

This special Earth Day conversation will feature Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe; Bishop Cathleen Bascom, eco-regions coordinator; and Andrew Thompson, director of the Center for Religion and Environment at Sewanee.

04/09/2026

Have an idea you think would make a good addition to the September Creation Care event in London, OH this September?

Organizers of the second annual Episcopal Creation Care Gathering, set for Sept. 23-26 at the Procter Center in London, Ohio, are accepting proposals for 90-minute workshops that explore the ministry of creation care in a variety of contexts.

This churchwide gathering focuses on the work of Christian ministry, mission, and living on Earth and is cosponsored by Provinces IV and V, the Procter Center, and the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio.

Workshop topics can highlight creation care in contexts that include the following:
Theology / theology of place
Food justice / food and creation care
Dismantling eco-racism
Liturgy and prayer
Leadership development
Church advocacy
Civic advocacy
Discipleship and evangelism
Children, youth, and family ministry
Gardening, farming, and other experiential expressions
Please submit proposals by April 15. Applicants will be notified by May 1 of workshop selections. Presenters will receive a discount on registration.

https://iam.ec/creation26

04/09/2026

Need an idea for Faith in Action Week? Try a Postcard Writing Party! 🎉

Gather a group and print out some postcards from Faith in Place to send to your legislators! Write about what you think a just, resilient and thriving community looks like to you! Use this design here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pOvxVud-BzgANlQ9vSB8fdeHIINlZstj/view?emci=47a48376-5c28-f111-9a48-000d3a14b640&emdi=ab08884e-7

Use these tips:
- Add your own voice and tell your story. Prompts are meant to be a starting point. Make the message your own and explain why this issue is important to you. Tell your story.
- Make it local. If you can, mention something specific: your neighborhood, a park you love, a street you bike on, a health issue affecting your family. Elected officials pay attention when constituents connect policy to real life.
- Sign your name and include your address. This tells the official you're one of their constituents, which is what makes your message count.
- Don't overthink it. A short, sincere message is more powerful than a perfect one. Write from the heart!

(More tips in the comments) Don’t know your elected officials’ addresses? Find it here: https://bit.ly/Find-My-Electeds

What's Faith in Action Week?

Faith in Action Week invites people of faith and conscience across Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin to act for our shared home. From April 18 to 23, Green Teams, community groups, and Houses of Worship will take steps to repair those relationships through education, advocacy, service, and celebration.

03/18/2026

🌱 We were honored to be able to join Christ Episcopal Church Waukegan for worship, followed by a Clean Energy Fair during coffee hour, on March 1, as part of the funding we received as Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA) Grassroots Educators. It was a day filled with community connection, learning, and empowerment. 🙌

We enjoyed building connections with individuals from the church and with the other groups present:
• Power Market/Yeoman’s Creek Solar Project for advancing renewable energy in Waukegan.
• Clean Power Lake County for championing a cleaner, healthier environment.
• Citizens Utility Board for helping residents understand their power bills and energy options.
• Square Company, an approved vendor for ComEd’s whole-home electrification program, for sharing innovative solutions.

We loved engaging with attendees about EcoDioChicago’s resources, including our 🌿 new list-serve for green churches, information about ⚡ solar opportunities available through the ILSFA program, and the exciting possibility of ⛪ Christ Church participating in ILSFA’s Non-Profit and Public Facilities sub-program to further their sustainability efforts.

We also received an inspiring tour of the church property. Christ Church supports the community every day, from hosting Waukegan to College and the Undercroft Gallery to providing space for ElderCARE Lake County. This church is bustling every day of the week.

Thank you to everyone who participated and especially to Fr. Rich Frontjes for helping make this event a success! Let’s continue working together for a brighter, more sustainable future.

Episcopal Charities Episcopal Diocese of Chicago

03/13/2026

Interested in getting some native plants for your church property? Check out this grant!

Faith in Place’s Native Garden & Tree Grant provides small grants of up to $1,000 to support the planting of native gardens and trees as nature-based climate solutions. This grant is for Houses of Worship and non-profits located in environmental justice communities in Lake County, IL and Milwaukee, WI!

To allow more organizations time to apply, the application deadline has been extended to April 30. 🌷

We will award 15–20 grants, each up to $1,000. Funded projects should focus on planting native species that support climate resilience, biodiversity, and community well-being and/or planting trees. 🌻

Questions? We're happy to help! Email our grants team at [email protected] for support.