Washington, D.C., January 29, 2007 – The National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) today announced a call for submissions to its first ever eco-justice sermon writing award as part of its eco-justice work. 

The award, which is a celebration of God's creation in the proclaimed gospel, is open to clergy, lay leaders, and other religious leaders and entries can focus on a variety of environmental issues such as sustainability, global warming, wilderness, and water. 

"As Christians have the moral responsibility to protect all of God's creation for current and future generations," said Cassandra Carmichael, eco-justice program director for the NCC. 

"At the Council we strive to provide resources such as our recently released theological resources to folks in the pews," said Carmichael.  "This sermon award will help highlight the good work going on in churches across the nation as well as provide sermon starters for worship leaders."

The award was announced six months after the release of "Opening the Letter: God's Earth is Sacred," a theological resource for congregations.  According to Carmichael, an increasing number of congregations are preaching on the environment as evidenced by the rising popularity of the NCC's Earth Day Sunday worship resource.

Sermon submissions should be no longer than 1,500 words.  Deadline is March 1, 2007, and should be sent via email to info@nccecojustice.org .  More information can be found at www.nccecojustice.org/sermoncontest.htm .