Creation Care Commission
About
We believe that this earth we call home was created by God and called good, just as God created us humans and called us good. The psalms teach us that the earth belongs to God and all that dwells upon it. Genesis 1:26-28 states that human beings are created in God’s “image and likeness” and given dominion over all other creatures. “Dominion” does not mean “domination,” but refers to the need for humans to exercise responsibility for the earth as God’s representatives.
We, as Christians in the tradition of The Episcopal Church, can further express our likeness in the divine image by loving the creation as God loves it, and by exercising stewardship as an act of love. This commission of The Diocese of West Missouri is tasked with maintaining current and relevant resources for the diocese to access and utilize, to share the stories of our parishes as they engage in the life-giving work of caring for God’s creation in their communities, and to further explore ways in which we as Christians may continue to grow in the image and likeness of the one who saves us through environmental stewardship.
“For the good earth which God has given us, and for the wisdom and will to conserve it, let us pray to the Lord.”
– Prayers of the People, Form I, BCP page 384.
Creation Care Across the Diocese
Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Kansas City
Good Shepherd has a “Shepherds of the Earth Committee” that invites members of the congregation to be motivated to act on climate change through action rooted in their identity as Episcopalians.
This committee is also tracking progress to the Groves Resolution, which is a commitment by The Diocese of Missouri to plant 500 trees, shrubs, or native grasses on church grounds and surrounding communities.
St. Peter & All Saints Episcopal Church, Kansas City
Community Garden: St. Peter & All Saints has set aside part of our property for vegetable garden plots. A plot may be rented for a nominal sum to cover water usage and tilling.
The Giving Grove: Also on their property is an edible fruit and nut tree orchard. In partnership with The Giving Grove, a program of Kansas City Community Garden, church members and friends have planted two of three phases of the orchard. Church members serve as garden “stewards.” When the trees are mature, the harvest is shared with neighboring food pantries.
Grace Episcopal Church, Carthage
Memorial Bible Garden and Labyrinth: While serving to beautify a once empty lot, this educational garden at Grace Episcopal Church hosts plants that can be found in scripture while providing the opportunity for rest and renewal. Half of the dedicated garden space is set aside for cultivating edible plants, typically vegetables, depending on the season, for a local food pantry.
Resources
Theological Reources
A Catechism of Creation: An Episcopal Understanding: Written by the Episcopal Church Committee on Science, Technology and Faith in 2005 in a traditional question-and-answer format, like the “Outline of the Faith, or Catechism” in the Book of Common Prayer.
Church Publishing Creation Care List: Environmental and Creation Care ministry guides and resources by Episcopal authors.
House of Bishops Climate Statement: “Expressing the Mind of the House on Climate and Our Vocation in Christ” Passed by the House of Bishops during the 80th General Convention of The Episcopal Church, July 11, 2022.
Parish Life Resources
Genesis Covenant: A 2011 guide for reducing energy, saving money and caring for God’s creation, based on the church’s 2009 Genesis Covenant.
Episcopal Carbon Tracker: The Diocese of California has developed a carbon tracker for individuals and congregations to measure – and reduce – their impact on the earth.
Liturgical Resources
Liturgical Resources for Honoring God in Creation: Explore a host of liturgical resources for honoring God’s creation, from The Episcopal Church’s Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music.
Hermeneutical Aid: The website Preaching for Gods World is an ecumenical lectionary based sermon study tool available for all preachers to help craft or hone in on their ecological hermeneutic.
Anglican Communion
Green Anglicans: Also known as the Anglican Church in South Africa’s Environmental Network (ACSA-EN), Green Anglicans aims to support churches and dioceses in fulfilling God’s call to be Earthkeepers and to care for Creation.
Anglican Communion Environmental Network: Anglicans and Episcopalians everywhere unite to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the earth.
Stewards of Creation: A Hope-Filled Ecology: The Canterbury Statement Agreed by the International Commission for Anglican–Orthodox Theological Dialogue 2020.
Members
- Mr. Jory Mertens
- The Rev. Ryan Williams
