Caring for Creation

Will you strive to safeguard the integrity of God's creation, and respect, sustain and renew the life of the Earth? 

This is the newest promise or affirmation added in 2013 by the Anglican Church of Canada, so the prayer books in the church and many churches will not include this, only those printed in the last year or so. Yet I think this is as important as any of the other ways that we promise to live out our faith in our baptismal promises. In recent years there has been increasing attention paid to the environment, and even great debate about the reality of climate change. I have heard persuasive arguments on both sides, but personally, based on what I have read and heard from those I believe to be credible, I would be on the side climate change being real and requiring action.

As Christians who believe that God created the world and commissioned humankind as the stewards of that creation we should be particularly attentive to environmental issues, which is one of the reasons why this affirmation was added recently to our baptismal covenant.  While our initial attention might be drawn to the environmental issues, caring for God's creation encompasses not only environmental issues like water, air, climate change or land use and abuse, it also includes concern for God's other creatures and creations from animals to flora and fauna. As stewards of God's creation we are to protect every aspect of what God created, from the beautiful butterfly to the odourous skunk. When we forget that all of it belongs to God and we are only entrusted with it as caretakers not owner to do with as we desire it is easy to abuse the creation to our advantage. When we learn to see the air, water, land and everything that lives in and on it as God's it changes how we interact with creation.

There is another reason we need to be attentive to creation, the impact that environment has on us as humans as well.  In a recent article the Presiding Bishop of the the United States of America, a form scientist herself, also draws the connection to impact on the poorest and most vulnerable (link to article).  Often it is those who are most vulnerable who suffer because of lack of clean water, clear air or basic necessities for healthy lives. Those with means are more likely to able either buy what they need or at least have access to it by where they live. As we seek to honour God as our creator we need to honour His creation, by protecting it, and seeking to prevent or reverse the damage done by humans. We all know that God has only given us one plant earth as our home and we need to do everything we can to care for it.

Reflection Question:

1. What is one thing you can change about your own behaviour that could have a positive impact on creation? 
2. How can you educate yourself on the issues and facts surrounding the environment? 
3. How can you work with others to advocate for sustaining and renewing of God's creation? 

More Resources on Faith and Environment can be found on the Toronto Diocesan Website - Environmental Resources