Just Living
Just Living helps individuals, couples and families practice faith in all aspects of daily life. The “little” decisions about what we buy, how we get places and ways we celebrate and live all add up and impact people and the planet. We can live into God’s call to live justly by working together to create a better world where all can share in the abundant life that God intends.
Within the Reformed tradition there is a breadth of ways we are called to live justly. We invite you to personal transformation and offer tools to assist in the lifelong journey of faith.
Seasons and celebrations
Each season brings with it unique opportunities and challenges. What it means to live justly at one time may look radically different from what it means to live justly at another time. All of us strive to live in accord with God’s word, and how each person engages in practicing lifestyle integrity will vary.
Prepare for each season by using our seasonal materials, each individually tailored to address the seasonal needs and concerns that arise while trying to live faithfully in the United States. As new seasons come around, we will add new materials and resources to these pages.
‘Sustainable Autumn Living’
Autumn is a season marked by change. Weather this transitional season with grace by working diligently, celebrating responsibly, sharing the bounty, preparing for winter and incorporating other lifestyle practices from the “Sustainable Autumn Living” guide into your day-to-day life. Use the expanded online version.
‘Alternative Thanksgiving Ideas’
Our Thanksgiving guide is designed to help you create a celebration that celebrates the blessings God has provided. Simplify your Thanksgiving and focus on God, your family and friends by implementing lifestyle practices and tips from our guide. Use the expanded online version.
'Ideas for Reclaiming Advent and Christmas'
In Advent we wait for the coming of Christ. At Christmas we celebrate Jesus’ birth. Shape your seasonal celebration to be one centered on the true meaning of Christmas. Prepare for the holiday by simplifying life, incorporating prayers, giving alternative gifts and serving sustainable foods. Share the love of Christ with others throughout your life with a living witness this season. Use the expanded online version.
Everyday living
Each day we face choices about how to live. Individually our actions make a difference, and communally our decisions have an impact on the world in which we live.
How we live shows our faith to the world and reflects our sense of call and commitment to God. It is easy to embrace the temptations that surround us, thoughtlessly consume and prioritize our own individual comfort. However, in most of our daily decisions, more responsible, sustainable choices are available that honor God’s people and earth. We have been told to present ourselves as living sacrifices to God, and living into this instruction each day requires effort. We are also instructed to live in community, as together we are the Body of Christ in the world.
Embody faith in everyday life by approaching decisions intentionally and seeking to be as faithful as possible to God’s call to abundant life for all. Explore here what it means to embody just living each day.
‘Green Living’
Navigating through the world and living with a keen environmental awareness embraces this call. Each of us has the power to make choices that reflect our faith commitment to preserve life. Together we can live each day in homage to God by living green and sharing our witness with the world.
Food and water
Water and food are essential to all life. The food we eat and the water we drink help to shape not only our bodies but the world in which we all live.
The Bible is filled with stories, parables and miracles involving water and food. Our church’s sacraments are deeply connected to water and food. We meet Christ and encounter grace in the sacrament of the Eucharist through the symbols of broken bread and poured-out cup. We covenant to be faithful and celebrate the mystery of grace in the sacrament of baptism as waters symbolize renewal and rebirth.
All people should have access to clean, safe water and food. If we are striving to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God, then we must ensure food sovereignty and water security for all. If we love our neighbors as ourselves, then we must do all that we can to be sure that all people have enough water and food for daily living. The materials in “Sustaining Waters” cover the topics of water and food as they relate to daily living.
What we eat and drink impacts our bodies and our physical and mental well being. Therefore, we seek to assist people in finding an appropriate balance between too much and too little, while also upholding the call to justice by addressing policies and items for action that individuals and churches can engage to bring about God’s realm.
‘Sustaining Waters’
“Sustaining Waters” assists Christians to be good stewards of water. As such it is divided into three sections: Clean Waters, Abundant Waters and Recovery Waters.
