TEST Tidbits: U.N. Environmental Sabbath Program

Around the world during the first week in June, concerts, marathons, lectures, clean-ups, protests, awareness events and more will put focus on the health of the environment.

The United Nations Environmental Programme began to encourage these events in 1973 with a booklet called “Only One Earth.” The focus of the efforts this year in Sweden is “Living Sustainably in Harmony with Nature." If you want to hear a video statement from spokesperson and UNEP Director Inger Anderson, go to https://www.stockholm50.global/events/programme. Then click on resources and scroll down to Inger Anderson’s message.

The U.N. Booklet "Only One Earth" begins with this interesting thought: "There are billions of galaxies and billions of planets within our own galaxy – but only One Earth.” The more the truth of these facts sink into our awareness, the more we understand the importance of caring for the health of our planet with both big and small actions. To see some of the scheduled events go to https://www.unep.org/events/world-environment-day-2022.

Here is part of a prayer from the U.N. Environmental Sabbath Program:

Great Spirit, give us the heart to understand never to take from creation’s beauty more than we give. To never destroy wantonly for the furtherance of greed. Never to deny giving our hands for the building of her beauty. That as we care for her, she will care for us. Amen

Earth Steward Action: As you shop today, take your reusable bag with you. Try to eliminate more plastic by using mesh bags to hold produce and a foldable bag that can easily fit in a purse or pocket for non-grocery shopping.

Sources: The above listed book and websites and https://earthministry.org/the-united-nations-environmental-sabbath-service