Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church
Philadelphia, PA
Actively providing environmental education and programs since 1991, Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church has had a major impact on individual lives regionally, nationally, and internationally. For over 13 years, this congregation has produced more than 60 issues of Canticle for Creation, an informative and transformative bulletin insert that they share with congregations nationally.
Sunday morning worship at Chestnut Hill is rich with creation-based liturgy, scripture, ritual, music, and sermons. Whether it is “the Covenant of Noah” Sunday in January, during which the congregation celebrates God’s covenant with all species, Earth Day Sunday in April, or the Feast of St. Francis each October (which includes blessings of dozens of animals in the sanctuary), Chestnut Hill intentionally brings ecological justice concerns to church.
In 1997, the church reached out to support environmental and social justice abroad. They began a partnership with the Mandayans, an indigenous tribe in the Philippines. The Mandayans have been through centuries of colonialism only to find themselves now in a modern period of conquest by international industry. Chestnut Hill is helping the Mandayans to re-purchase and reclaim some of their aboriginal lands. Through this relationship, church members are learning vividly what is at stake in the economic globalization process.
Hill United Methodist Church.
The Center for the Celebration of Creation, a program of Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church, is the avenue through which much of the church’s environmental work travels. The Center publishes the Canticle for Creation; writes articles for national magazines as well as the local paper; hosts lectures, forums, and study groups; and stands in solidarity with local communities facing environmental injustice. For the past four years, the Center has educated the faith community about sprawl, a critically important issue in southeastern Pennsylvania.
Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church and its Center for the Celebration of Creation aim to give people the knowledge and resources they need to make ecologically sustainable choices. However, they do not spend their passion in just educating about environmental concerns. They advocate for public policies and take action in their own sphere to make an appreciable difference in the physical environment. In 2002, they mobilized the faith community to contact the state legislature and win support for environmentally friendly legislation. Within the same year, Chestnut Hill began purchasing 100 percent renewable energy for all of its buildings. They also help congregations to recycle their computers/electronics and have convinced their Conference to use fair-trade, organic coffee at all church events.
Contacts: Rev. Hal Tuassig, Jr. at 215-242-9321 ext. 1 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; Joy Bergey at 215-836-5978 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it