Worship and Mission in the Face of Climate Crisis
In the face of escalating justice challenges and decline in social trust posed by the climate crisis, APLM is seeking congregations to partner with us in exploring liturgical responses that will
- unite worshiping communities with indigenous and local environmental groups in a shared vision
- give voice to those disproportionately affected by climate change and extreme weather events, and
- move people and institutions to engage more directly in care of creation and those affected by the climate crisis.
APLM will shepherd six Partner Congregations in a year-long project of action and reflection, developing liturgical responses as models for the wider church.
The project begins with a conference at St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, MN July 17-21 2023.
This year-long program is made possible through a Vital Worship Grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Grand Rapids, Michigan, with funds from the Lilly Endowment Inc. If you would like your parish or other worshiping community to be part of this project, please fill out an application after reading the information on this page. Deadline for application is May 19th, 2023.
Thursday’s conference sessions are open to the public. Join us for a talk, lunch, and a final celebration of the Holy Eucharist designed by conference participants.
Conference schedule overview
MONDAY JULY 17th
Meet at Wooley’s Restaurant in the Embassy Suites Hotel near the Minneapolis airport for dinner (optional; not included in the conference fee). Transportation will be provided to St. John’s in Collegeville from Wooley’s between 7 and 8pm (depending on flight schedules).
TUESDAY JULY 18th and WEDNESDAY JULY 19th
APLM Council Members, Guests, and Partner Congregation representatives will be planning contextual worship that responds to climate crisis issues. We will also hear from local voices and learn about best practices for planning liturgy in congregational settings.
THURSDAY JULY 19th
Thursday’s sessions from 9am to 4pm are open to the public and will include a talk, lunch, and final celebration of the Holy Eucharist designed by conference participants.
In the evening, full conference participants will plan their next steps, have a celebratory dinner and a sending rite.
Conference fees
Full Conference with lodging* (includes all meals from breakfast Tuesday through breakfast Friday)
- $700 regular single occupancy room Monday through Thursday
- $650 regular double occupancy room Monday through Thursday
- Free for two representatives from each of six Partner Congregations (read more here.)
Full Conference without lodging (includes lunch and dinner Tuesday through Thursday): $460
Thursday 9am – 4pm only (includes lunch): $25
*Space at the Abbey Guest House is limited. This conference is for APLM Council Members, Official Guests, and Partner Congregation Representatives. Additional lodging is available in dormitories on the adjacent college campus.
Planning your flights
Please plan to arrive at the Minneapolis airport (MSP) as close to 6pm on Monday July 17th as possible so that we can arrange car-pooling or a shuttle bus. We plan to meet at a restaurant close to the airport and will provide transportation from there. The drive to Collegeville is about 1.5 hours.
Plan to leave MSP on Friday mid-morning or afternoon, noting that the drive from Collegeville to the airport takes about 1.5 hours.
Council Members, Guests, and Partner Congregations can register using a link provided by the APLM President.
If you believe you should have received the registration link, but did not receive it, please contact any member of the executive committee.
Associated Parishes for Liturgy and Mission 