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Recognising and celebrating the gifts of the creation is challenged by growing environmental risks and increasing climate change. Our vision of the ecology of life calls us to radically review how we now live as individuals and communities.
ECEN promotes sharing, cooperation, action and theological reflection across our different countries and traditions in caring for creation.

Renewing our passion for creation in a time of trial

PRESS RELEASE Brussels, September 5, 2026. The European Christian Environmental Network (ECEN)* met for its 16th Assembly from 29 August to 2 September 2026 in the Belgian capital Brussels. More than 50 participants from 15 countries discussed the theme: “Renewing our passion for creation in a time of trial." This summer Europe has been confronted with clear signs of the climate crisis: heatwaves, wildfires and extreme droughts. Yet the....

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A few words about the new ECEN Secretary

Claire Mesnards

My name is Claire des Mesnards. I have been working within the United Protestant Church of France as a pastor for 6 years. Before turning to theology, I worked with Civil Society Organisations in networks like the European Confederation of NGOs for sustainable development and international cooperation (CONCORD) and the Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) of which I was coordinator for the European region during the Action2015 campaign on climate and the Sustainable Development Goals. These were the first places where, after studying philosophy and political science, I tried to voice together with others my genuine concern for people and the planet. For me this concern is deeply rooted in Christian faith and explains why I responded to a call to serve Jesus Christ as a pastor.

Currently, I live in Nîmes, a small and beautiful Roman city known as one of the Reformation’s cradles in France. I am working full time for the local protestant parish. Together with a number of friends I have been closely involved in founding a Peoples University on Religions. The purpose of this specific project is to provide an open and neutral space where the diversity of beliefs can be approached in-depth by a wide audience. In the French context where religious questions are often relegated to the private sphere as a result of the 1905 separation of religion and the state, there is a desperate need to overcome ignorance and the resulting tensions that it can trigger between citizens.

Beside this and the usual activities related to pastoral care, I share my day-to-day life with Paul Kleiber, an Earth-lover who has over the years helped raise my awareness about the state of our planet. We are getting married on April 26! We will then move to the countryside in the North of France where we hope to get involved in permaculture – a dream Paul has had for a long time and which I now share. This new move brings together my initial background in biology and my long-standing interest in health and the environment. We would be grateful for your prayers and support as a new chapter of our lives opens. We strive for balanced relationships with God’s Creation and are eager to learn from every encounter.

Looking forward to meeting you and welcoming you!

You may contact me at ecenecen [dot] org and/or by phone at +33 6 27 75 56 37.

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European Christian Environmental Network