The Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes has been awarded a $1.25 million grant from Lilly Endowment to fund Holy Ground for Whole Communities, a first-of-its-kind program in Michigan that will equip and empower Episcopal churches across the state to engage in climate change mitigation on their church properties, connecting faith to environmental action.
The program is funded through Lilly Endowment’s Thriving Congregations Initiative. The aim of the national initiative is to strengthen Christian congregations so they can help people deepen their relationships with God, build strong relationships with each other, and contribute to the flourishing of local communities and the world.
“Christians are called to faithful discipleship as witnesses of God’s love. This includes both our words and our actions,” said the Rev. Nurya Love Parish, canon for the Northern Collaborative, Beloved Community, and Creation Care in the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes. “Climate change is happening here, on this Earth that God made and loves, the only home humans have. How we act to care for places—especially places set aside to glorify God—is how we practice discipleship. This new program will help Christians grow in faith and action and work toward healing for God’s creation.”
Holy Ground for Whole Communities, designed in collaboration with Plainsong Farm and Partners for Sacred Places, will engage up to 30 congregations across Michigan’s lower peninsula through the next four years. The program will first develop, then provide a comprehensive curriculum which helps congregations connect theological reflection with practical solutions for environmental care on church properties.
The Lilly Endowment’s grant will support the creation of educational resources, provide funding for a full-time program manager, and offer regranting dollars to participating congregations to help bring their climate action plans to life.
A key partner in the program, Plainsong Farm has been integrating faith and Earth care in its work for more than 10 years. The farm’s approach to hands-on, community-driven environmental stewardship has demonstrated how local action can nurture both land and people. Emily Ulmer, co-director of Plainsong Farm, explained, “We’ve seen again and again the transformative power of connecting faith with care for creation. This partnership will allow us to grow that model of holistic spirituality, care of place, and healing across the state, empowering people and congregations to take action in their own backyards and watersheds.”
By addressing climate change and promoting sustainable practices, Holy Ground for Whole Communities aims to engage younger generations who are deeply concerned about the environment, while also fostering a more inclusive, action-oriented relationship with faith. The initial program is intended to be a pilot project, leading to wider work in years to come.
For more information on the Holy Ground for Whole Communities program, contact the Rev. Canon Nurya Love Parish at nparish@edwm.org.