WHAT IS THE COMMUNION FOREST INITIATIVE?
Earlier this month, 650 bishops from 165 countries belonging to the Anglican Communion met with Arch Bishop, Justin Welby, at Lambeth. This “once-in-ten-years” conference was filled with worship, Bible studies, discussions and the launch of the Global Communion Forest Initiative. Each province, diocese and church in the vast Anglican Communion is being asked to take positive action to plant and protect trees (native to their area) and to restore ecosystems that need to be restored. These actions are both a sign of Christian hope we have in caring for God’s creation and our rededication to the 5th Mark of Mission. The fifth Mark of Mission is to, “Strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and renew the life of the world”. This work will look different, depending upon the location. Green Anglicans, an environmental organization that began in Africa, has several programs to plant a tree for each milestone in a person’s church life. Some examples are birth, baptism, marriage, conformation, or death. Every occasion calls for the planting of a tree, plus the care of the tree. Others in the Anglican communion, like our own Bishop Cathleen Bascom, are interested in prairie restoration and the web of life protected by a healthy prairie ecosystem. Some are encouraging “forest bathing” and prayer retreats in forests to help humans connect with the natural world—and, thus, build on creation care actions and habits.
What can we do in our part of the Anglican Communion? Here are a few ideas for consideration—you can think of others:
Plant native trees, plants & grasses (at home-and church)
Support our local community orchards
Support our “No Mow May “ project to feed pollinators.
Support the work of Monarch Butterfly Watch at KU
Support the work of the Land Institute (perennial wheat)
Support Arbor Day Foundation—order trees, support planting trees in areas destroyed by fires. Donate to protect the rainforest or support “Tree City projects”.
Earth Stewards Action: Plant a tree or donate to a group that does.
Sources: Https://www.communionforest.org/about