Reflecting on God’s wonderful creation

By Adrian Nippress
Transforming Justice Coordinator

Posted in Culture

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
    the world, and all who live in it

- Psalm 24:1

On Friday 22 April, Christians around the world will take the opportunity to reflect upon God’s wonderful creation as they celebrate Earth Day.

Earth Day was first established in 1970, and the movement gave a voice to an emerging consciousness of environmental issues.

Now, 46 years later, Earth Day continues to provide an avenue for communities to inspire, challenge ideas, ignite passion, and motivate people to take environmental action.

Earth Day provides us with an opportunity to reflect on what we value about our natural world. It can include activities such as Earth Hour, when people are invited to switch off their electricity for 60 minutes. This can also be a time to light a candle and create a space for spiritual reflection and prayer. Although the official Earth Hour is held in March each year, many people choose to spend a part of Earth Day reflecting in a similar manner.

On Earth Day this year, the Uniting Church SA Environmental Action Group (EAG) would like to encourage you to think about what action you could take to care for God’s creation.

The EAG was formed in 2014 as an active expression of the responsibility the Uniting Church SA has in caring for the earth.

Over the past two years, the EAG has worked with congregations and the Transforming Justice Coordinator in Mission Resourcing to invite theological reflection, ask environmental questions, and assist in making value judgements grounded on sound environmental principles. The group has researched and prepared a number of helpful resources and fact sheets, which are available here.

The work of the EAG arises out of a theological reflection, which may be of use in your own reflections this Earth Day:

The Uniting Church’s commitment to the environment arises out of the Christian belief that God, as the Creator of the universe, calls us into a special relationship with the creation – a relationship of mutuality and interdependence. We believe that God’s will for the earth is renewal and reconciliation, not destruction by human beings.

A prayer has also been prepared to assist Uniting Church SA members in their reflections on Earth Day this year, and is available here.


More from Culture

Subscribe to receive Culture articles by email >

Culture

The Art of Listening

A couple of years ago I was participating in a course which had a smattering of people from a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) background. I would have said that they were good participants in class discussions but not the most active ones, and I gave little thought to it.

Culture

International Mission Update - A Light for Peace

The new 'normal’ that we have entered into can certainly bring changes to how we as a church undertake international mission. However, despite this challenge we encourage reflection on the importance of partnerships, solidarity for social justice issues and ecumenical sharing.

Culture

Celebrating Refugees Contributions to Society

A UnitingCare Emergency Relief Centre was needed in the Port Adelaide-Enfield area of Adelaide. And that's when Lefevre UC and volunteers from Port Adelaide UC stepped up.


Comments

Comments (3)