Creation MattersLighting a Path …

Each presentation is followed by Questions and Responses: 11:30

Setting the Stage for Action – R. Goodfellow 11:50

Theology, Worship Resources, and Practices - Rev. C. McCaig

12:10Resources from “Greening of Sacred Spaces” - K. Guindon

12:30So you Want to Consider Solar: Where to Start – D. Gerwing

12:50Closing Comments – R. Goodfellow

Agenda

Randal Goodfellow – National Chair of “Greening of Anglican Spaces Task Group” and co-chair of the Ottawa Diocese’s “Creation Matters Committee” rrgoodfellow@gmail.com

Setting the Stage for Action:

The 5th Mark of Mission of the world-wide Anglican Church “To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth” (1990)

Lambeth Conference “Resolution 1.8 Creation” and “Resolution1.9 Ecology” – (1998)

Resolution A180-R1 on Climate Change, General Synod, Halifax (June 2010)

Setting the Stage for Action

The Nairobi Statement: Climate Justice for Sustainable Peace in Africa (June, 2011)

Canadian Interfaith Call for Leadership and Action on Climate Change (October 2011) www.councilofchurches.ca/canadian_interfaith_call_for_action_on_climate_justice.pdf

“Crisis and Commitment” Report from the Anglican Communion Environmental Network (March 2012) http://acen.anglicancommunion.org

Setting the Stage for Action:

Statements by other denominations:◦ Roman Catholic: “God’s glory is revealed in

the natural world, yet we humans are presently destroying creation. Today’s ecological issues are enmeshed within social structures that serve the interests of a few a the expense of the many, especially those marginalized and in poverty.”

◦ United Church: “Loving God, neighbour, and self are possible only when we also love God’s good creation” and “The work of soul, community, and creation converge in greening of sacred spaces” – Mardi Tindal, Moderator

Setting the Stage for Action:

Objective: Enculturation of the 5th Mark of Mission across the church and implement Resolution A180-R1

Organizational Response: ◦ “Greening of Anglican Spaces Task Group” –

Anglican Church of Canada◦ “Creation Matters” Committee of the Diocese

of Ottawa◦ Parish “Green Team”

Action: “So what are you going to do?”

Greening of the physical infrastructure (churches and properties) and the ongoing operational management of these assets; (national, diocese, parish);

◦ Green-Up Data Base Program (Canada Green Building Council;◦ Green Audits (Greening Sacred Spaces);◦ Pool of Green Capital for building upgrades / redevelopments◦ Cathedral Hill www.cathedralhill.ca (see the videos with Bishop

John)

Making available and sharing theological, liturgical / worship resources (national, diocese, parish);

◦ Rev. Cathy McCaig

Action

Communications and educational materials /courses support (national and diocese);

◦ Anglican Church of Canada and Diocese websites

◦ The “… and it was good.” course – John Price

Public policy development and advocacy (national and diocese)

◦ Rev. Laurette Glascow

Action

Rev. Cathy McCaig, co-chair of the Ottawa Diocese’s “Creation Matters Committee” mccaigcathy@gmail.com

Theology, Worship Resources, and Practices

Theological: Books - Mostly Thomas Berry: The Dream of the Earth,

1983 Thomas Berry: The Great Work, 2003 Matthew Fox: The Coming of the Cosmic

Christ, 1983 Sallie McFague: The Body of God, 1991,

Abundant Living, 2004 also: John Cobb, Rasmussen, Rosemary

Radford-Ruether, Heather Eaton, John Philip Newell etc.

Theological: First Nations Resources

Theological: First Nation Resources First Peoples’ Journal of Theology Volume 1 – First Peoples Theology Journal Volume 2 – First Peoples Theology Journal -

Creation and Other Stories Freda Rajotte – First Nations Faith and

Ecology The Journey – 1991 The Dancing Sun, Children of the Dancing

Sun, 1991-2000

Worship Resources

Worship Resources The Earth is the Lord’s – produced in Ottawa Liturgies from Lindisfarne and “A Holy Island Prayer

Book” – Ray Simpson (available electronically) Community of Aidan & Hilda –

www.aidanandhilda.org.uk Earth Gospel: A Guide to Prayer for God’s Creation Anglican Church of New Zealand - www.nz.org.nz Church of South Africa - www.neccsa.org.za

Worship Resources Eastern Synod – ELCIC –

www.easternsynod.org Episcopal Church –

www.episcopalchurch.org Iona Community – www.iona.org.uk United Church of Canada –

www.united-church.ca Walking More Lightly – www.ecen.org/cms Angligreen – www.angligreen.org A Rocha – www.arocha.ca; www.arocha.org

Guides and Reference Resources Renewing our Relationship with the Earth: A

Guide – What You and Your Church Can Do (Ottawa Diocese)

Tim Flannery – Weather Makers: Now or Never (2010)

David Suzuki, Sacred Balance: Greening of Sacred Spaces –

www.greeningsacredspaces.net

100 Mile Diet Initiative (use of Re. Cathy McCaig’s farm to produce food for Community Missions and church functions

Pilgrimage Walking a creation respecting and appreciating practice;

“The ancient spiritual practice of pilgrimage has enjoyed a remarkable revival in recent years. Pilgrimage is perhaps best defined as a departure from daily life on a journey in search of spiritual well-being. It involves leaving home, making a journey, arriving at a destination that usually has some religious significance, and then returning home. It is sometimes taken alone, sometimes with a group. Above all pilgrims set out to walk with God: to know him more deeply and to learn what it is to follow him.”

from: “Pilgrimage: A Spiritual and Cultural Journey” by Ian Bradley

Practices: (examples)

Diocesan Pilgrimage Group: St. Cuthbert’s Way (September 2011)

Finally ……. Let’s Share Resources and Ideas !!!!

Kathryn Guindon, Regional coordinator for the Greening of Sacred Spaces program of the Faith and the Common Good Foundation kathrynguindon.fcg@gmail.com

Resources from “Greening of Sacred Spaces”

“Greening Sacred Spaces is a practical program developed by Faith & the Common Good to assist faith communities with both the educational and spiritual dimensions of greening as well as the "how-to" side of audits, retrofits and generally reducing the faith community's footprint.”

We work with your community to take action and care for creation.

What is Greening Sacred Spaces?

Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Non-toxic products Waste Reduction Water

Conservation Gardens/outdoor

greening

Green Buildings

Churches are in a great place to take advantage of solar power and the Green Energy Act.

Renewable Energy

Publicity and support

Access to great speakers & experts

Access to community partners & free resources

Education & Events

Interactive Resources Library (worship, energy efficiency, education, children’s resources).

Discussion forums and event calendar.

Online Resources & Community

We have NO money!

What does this have to do with the church anyway?

I’m just one person – what can I do?

Challenges

Start with something free – host an event, have a guest speaker.

Try something cheap and simple – sealing air leaks or replacing exit sign lights.

Talk to GSS about grants and fundraising.

Cost

It’s about taking care of God’s creation.

Genesis 1:26. Then God said, "Let us make mankind in our image, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth and over all the creatures that move along the ground."

It’s about people:

- Aboriginal rights- Women’s rights- Peace- Hunger- Poverty- Child Health

Work with what you have.

Talk about what is important to you.

Start small and go from there. “Do justice, love

kindness, and walk humbly with the Lord.” – Micah 6:8b

What can one person do?

www.greeningsacredspaces.net

We work with your church to take action in whatever makes sense for you.

Closing CommentsThank you.