From Cheri Metier, CIS Mission Project Consultant - Creation Care
On Saturday, September 13 a number of clergy and laity gathered for PSWR’s first Creation Care Conference. Those I spoke with hope that it will not be the last. This was one offering in the PSWR Stewardship Workshop series.
Rev. Dayna Kinkade (pastor, First Christian Church Orange) kept us spiritually focused throughout the day and brought soul-feeding meditations before and after each informational presentation. Dr. Kyle Brown from Cal-Poly Pomona’s Lyle Center for Regenerative Studies tested our knowledge on water needs and consumption. He used a term I hadn’t heard: "water footprint". Yes, we need to be mindful not only of our carbon footprint, but that of our water also. He challenged us to move our conservation efforts forward from our homes and congregations to regional and whole Church efforts towards responsible legislation. (A host of helpful resources for good earth stewardship can be found at California Interfaith Power and Light.) Allis Druffel, Southern California Outreach Director for Interfaith Power and Light shed light on congregations that are doing wonderful work in education, advocacy and building renovations that work towards leaving smaller negative impacts on God’s first gift to humanity, Creation.
Rev. Carol Devine from Green Chalice of Disciples Home Missions spoke to participants and shared the path towards becoming a Green Chalice Congregation.
photo by Robert Van Waarden, People's Climate March, NYC
Cheri Metier and Rev. Lauren Buck Medeiros, Chaplain at Punahou School, together at the San Diego People's Climate March
This past weekend, thousands of people around the world marched to bring awareness to climate change and encourage world leaders to develop workable solutions to decreasing carbon emissions, brining clean water to all people and increasing clean energy sources. Although I couldn’t make it to New York where the national march was held, I was joined by Rev. Lauren Buck Medeiros from Hawaii and we lent our bodies and voices to a thousand others at the San Diego People’s Climate March. At the end of the march, several faith leaders representing six different religious traditions spoke to the marchers and affirmed that all religions are called to care for Creation.
If you would like more resources, please email Cheri Metier.