GENERAL CONVENTION & THE CLIMATE CRISIS
This past July, the General Convention of The Episcopal Church published what they called, “The Mind of the House on Climate and Our Vocation in Christ”. According to the Episcopal News service, “This was a statement and not a resolution and carries no legislative weight”. This statement came together when Bishop Andrus of California stated that there was not enough time to get a proposal through both houses, but that the urgency of the matter called for a timely message (not waiting until 2024). Bishop Andrus said, “Everything that this body is concerned about is made worse or better depending upon the health of the planet in which we live. We have never said that as a body”. Others objected, but a group of bishops (including objectors) met together and later presented “The mind of the House Statement”. This statement was then distributed to the attendees at the Anglican Conference of Bishops (July 27 to Aug 8).
The above statement began with stating that God is the source of all creation—the same creation that sustains all. We have been given responsibility to steward and love this creation. In caring for earth, we are returning this love to God. This is our first vocation as made explicit in Genesis. The statement goes on to say that climate change and environmental degradation are manifestations of our turning away from God. All areas of justice are made worse or better depending upon the health of the planet. Because we care about justice, we must care about the health of the planet. Therefore, “As people of faith , we are not without hope, but the sustainability of God’s creation demands our action.---As member of the Episcopal Church, we are committed in baptism to resist evil, seek God’s will, treat all people with dignity, and strive for justice and peace. Living into these promises, we must face the climate crisis for the sake of love of God and neighbor.” As in Mark 16:15, we are urged to proclaim God’s love in deed and word. The statement continues to state the ways in which the church has begun this work and will continue to model good stewardship to the world.
May we all join our hearts, minds and daily Earth Steward actions to the vision of this, “Mind of the House”.
Earth Steward Action: Reread the service of baptism in the Book of Common Prayer. Do you see how the vows relate to being a good steward of God’s creation? Talk to others about this understanding.
Source: Go to https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2022/07/11/bishops-close-convention-with-climate-energency-statement-ahead-of-lambeth