Cassandra Carmichael
Practicing Creation Care

The first book of the Bible outlines our call to care for the Earth and to tend the "garden." The story of Noah, who is perhaps the first environmental steward, is a model of earth stewardship when he collects and protects every living creature from the great flood. But how are we now, in our daily hectic lives and modern complexities, called to care for God’s creation?

Why is the faith community concerned about global climate change?

It is a matter of justice.

_____	Justice for poor people who will be most severely impacted by changing weather and rising seas and who have the least capacity to adapt.
	Justice for future generations who will inherit an unstable climate and potentially catastrophic rises in sea level, migration of tropical diseases, and disrupted agricultural production.
	Justice for all of creation that is threatened by climate change.

How can we fulfill our calling as stewards?

We are called to serve as stewards of creation. In this role, let's take action together – on public policy, in our congregations, in our homes and daily lives, by joining with others in our community, by joining the Interfaith Climate Change Network, and by inviting others to join our efforts.

Maine, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Texas, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington. For specific contact information, visit www.protectingcreation.org/about/documents/20031121104626.asp

National Religious Partnership for the Environment: This is a unique interfaith partnership of the National Council of Churches, the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life, the U.S. Catholic Conference and the Evangelical Environmental Network.


Greening God’s Space: St. Stevens is an Episcopal Church nestled in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, that has gone to great lengths to make their building environmentally friendly. Not only is the building retrofitted for energy efficiency by changing the lighting and heating/cooling equipment, but the floors are made from renewal resources. The resulting changes have resulted not only in a reduced electric bill, but have also reduced indoor air pollution by steering clear of toxic materials.

One Drop at a Time: The blue barrels that are situated around Georgetown Gospel Chapel in Seattle, WA, may seem out of place at first, but they are part of an overall environmental stewardship program led by pastor Leroy Hedman. These rain barrels collect rainwater from the roof and save it for later use on the grounds. Because stormwater runoff is a major source of water pollution, the use of these rain barrels is an ideal way to help protect God’s gift of water.

Stream Restoration: Calvary United Methodist Church in Annapolis, MD, sits on a creek that leads directly into the Chesapeake Bay making Bay stewardship a priority for their creation care committee. As part of a stream restoration project, and as a way to reduce runoff into the stream, the committee, with the help of the Men’s Maintenance Breakfast crew, has been able to increase the buffer area by planting native vegetation along the stream’s banks.

Creation Sunday: On the Sunday closest to Earth Day, congregations across the country celebrate Earth Day Sunday. Resources provided by the National Council of Churches provide worship and education materials and each year focus on an environmental issue such as air, water, oceans, children’s environmental health, and energy.

Making Our Voices Heard: In addition to worship services, adult study sessions, youth activities, and congregation-based environmental stewardship projects, congregants and religious leaders can also speak out publicly to protect God’s creation. Letters to the editor, sign-on letters, and phone calls, letters, and visits to elected officials are just a few of the ways to make the faith voice heard.

Personal Actions:
• Drive less.
• Reduce your electricity use.
• Practice conservation landscaping.
• Speak out to your elected officials for the need to protect God’s creation.

Congregational Actions:
• Reduce electricity use in your church building.
• "Green" the building by practicing conservation landscaping and using non-toxic paints and flooring.
• Hold a "Creation Sunday" worship service.
• Sponsor an adult or youth education session on protecting God’s creation.


Eco-Justice Defined
"Environmental Justice" is a holistic term that includes all ministries designed to heal and defend creation. Eco-Justice is an even broader term that includes efforts to assure justice for all of creation and the human beings who live in it. A major task of the Eco-Justice Program is to provide ideas and resources to help congregations as they engage in environmental justice.

The Earth is the Lord’s and all that it holds,
the world and all its inhabitants.
–PSALMS 24:1


Cassandra Carmichael is the national directorof the Eco-Justice Program of the National Council of Churches. This program provides an opportunity for the national bodies of member Protestant and Orthodox denominations to work together to protect and restore God’s Creation. Their website is www.nccecojustice.org.


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This article was published in the winter 2004 issue of Catholic Rural Life©. No portion of this article may be reproduced without written permission from The National Catholic Rural Life Conference. To purchase the winter 2004 issue of Catholic Rural Life, please contact The National Catholic Rural Life Conference office at 4625 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50310-2199, call (515) 270-2634, or e-mail NCRLC@mchsi.com. The cost is $2.50 an issue plus postage and handling.