1 The mission of the Creation Care Task Force is to assist United Methodist congregations in Florida to understand and fulfill our Christian commitment to care for God’s Creation and to respond to critical stresses on the environment by linking faith with actions that promote stewardship of God's Creation. God’s grace calls the Florida Annual Conference to a biblical and theological commitment to environmental health, wholeness, and holiness to reduce exploitation and foster justice now and in the future. THIS SLIDE WOULD BE UP ON THE SCREEN AS PEOPLE GATHER.
Transcript
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The mission of the Creation Care Task Force is to assist United Methodist congregations in Florida to understand and fulfill ourChristian commitment to care for God’s Creation and to respond to critical stresses on the environment by linking faith with actions that promote stewardship of God's Creation.God’s grace calls the Florida Annual Conference to a biblical and theological commitment to environmental health, wholeness, and holiness to reduce exploitation and foster justice now and in the future.
THIS SLIDE WOULD BE UP ON THE SCREEN AS PEOPLE GATHER.
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Creation Care: the why and howCreation Care: the why and how
Beginning our journey…Beginning our journey…
INTRODUCTIONS SLIDE
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Rural Life PrayerRural Life PrayerUM Book of Worship No. 430UM Book of Worship No. 430
O Lord, you have given us the gift of land.O Lord, you have given us the gift of land.
May we ever protect and preserve it.May we ever protect and preserve it.
O Lord, you have given us the gift of water.O Lord, you have given us the gift of water.
May we keep it pure and safe.May we keep it pure and safe.
O Lord, you have given us the gift of air.O Lord, you have given us the gift of air.
May we keep it pure and fresh.May we keep it pure and fresh.
O Lord, you have given us the gift of plants and trees.O Lord, you have given us the gift of plants and trees.
May we ever use and protect them justly.May we ever use and protect them justly.
O Lord, you have given us the gift of birds and animals.O Lord, you have given us the gift of birds and animals.
May we preserve and enjoy them.May we preserve and enjoy them.
O Lord, you have given us care of the earth.O Lord, you have given us care of the earth.
O Lord, we accept the care of these gifts as our O Lord, we accept the care of these gifts as our sacred stewardship.sacred stewardship.
Amen.Amen. (MELVIN E. WEST, U.S.A., 20TH CENT.)(MELVIN E. WEST, U.S.A., 20TH CENT.)
RESPONSIVE PRAYER FOR ENTIRE GROUP.
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Feeling the presence of God…Feeling the presence of God…
SLIDE TO INTRODUCE “CREATION VISUALIZATION”
MENTION “SACRED CONVERSATIONS AT THIS TIME
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the bible & creation care…the bible & creation care…
““Noah’s Ark”, Edward Hicks, 1846Noah’s Ark”, Edward Hicks, 1846
Ask people to think of their favorite scripture that focuses on God’s Creation. You can use these for suggestions, if no one offers any or do not have their Bibles. You can also use your favorites if you like.
Psalm 23
John 3:16 - in Greek, “For God so loved the Cosmos (all of Creation) that He gave His only Son “
Isaiah 24
Bring green Bible if you have on to introduce participants.
MENTION RESOURCE FROM PAT Watkins of the VA. CONFERENCE.
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John John
Wesley’s Wesley’s
TheologyTheologyJohn Wesley on God's CreationJohn Wesley on God's Creation
"By acquainting ourselves with subjects in natural philosophy, "By acquainting ourselves with subjects in natural philosophy, we enter into a kind of association with nature's works, and we enter into a kind of association with nature's works, and unite in the general concert of her extensive choir. By thus unite in the general concert of her extensive choir. By thus acquainting and familiarizing ourselves with the works of acquainting and familiarizing ourselves with the works of nature, we become as it were a member of her family, anature, we become as it were a member of her family, aparticipant in her felicities; but while we remain ignorant, participant in her felicities; but while we remain ignorant, we are like strangers and sojourners in a foreign land, we are like strangers and sojourners in a foreign land, unknowing and unknown."unknowing and unknown."
John Wesley, John Wesley, A Survey of the Wisdom of God in the CreationA Survey of the Wisdom of God in the Creation, 1:viii., 1:viii.
FIRST OF THREE QUOTES FROM JOHN WESLEY.
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On Stewardship of Creation:On Stewardship of Creation:
"We are now God’s stewards. We are indebted to him for all we "We are now God’s stewards. We are indebted to him for all we have...A steward is not at liberty to use what is lodged in his have...A steward is not at liberty to use what is lodged in his hands hands as as hehe pleases, but as his master pleases…He is not the owner of pleases, but as his master pleases…He is not the owner of any of these things but barely entrusted with them by any of these things but barely entrusted with them by another…now this is exactly the case of everyone with relation tanother…now this is exactly the case of everyone with relation to o God. We are not at liberty to use what God has lodged in our God. We are not at liberty to use what God has lodged in our hands as hands as wewe please, but as God pleases, who alone is the possessor please, but as God pleases, who alone is the possessor of heaven and earth and the Lord of every creature... [God] of heaven and earth and the Lord of every creature... [God] entrusts us with [this world’s goods] on this express condition,entrusts us with [this world’s goods] on this express condition,that we use them only as our Master's goods, and according to ththat we use them only as our Master's goods, and according to the e particular directions which he has given us in his Word.“particular directions which he has given us in his Word.“ John John Wesley, Sermon 51, "The Good Steward," §II.1, Wesley, Sermon 51, "The Good Steward," §II.1, Works Works 2:2832:283--84.84.
John John
Wesley’s Wesley’s
TheologyTheology
SECOND OF THREE QUOTES FROM JOHN WESLEY.
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John John
Wesley’s Wesley’s
TheologyTheologyOn Finding God in Creation:On Finding God in Creation:
"The pure of heart see all things full of God. They see "The pure of heart see all things full of God. They see him in the firmament of heaven, in the moon walking him in the firmament of heaven, in the moon walking in brightness, in the sun when he in brightness, in the sun when he rejoicethrejoiceth as a giant as a giant to run his course. They see him 'making the clouds to run his course. They see him 'making the clouds his chariots, and walking upon the wings of the wind.' his chariots, and walking upon the wings of the wind.' They see him 'preparing rain for the earth,' 'and They see him 'preparing rain for the earth,' 'and blessing the increase of it.'"blessing the increase of it.'"
John Wesley, Sermon 23. "Sermon on the Mount, III," §I.1, John Wesley, Sermon 23. "Sermon on the Mount, III," §I.1, Works Works 1:513.1:513.
THIRD OF THREE QUOTES FROM JOHN WESLEY.
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God’s Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action
The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church
Foundation Document
Describes the interconnected nature of poverty and disease, environmental degradation and weapons and violence through stories of those most affected;
• Shares information about Christian scriptures and beliefs, and our Wesleyan heritage in order to provide a foundation for our response;
• Recommends a variety of actions; and
• Reminds us of the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the great sources of encouragement and hope all around us.
INTRODUCE COUNCIL OF BISHOP’S STATEMENT / CALL
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God’s Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action
The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church
Pastoral Letter
image from group study guide
INTRODUCE COUNCIL OF BISHOP’S STUDY
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The mission of the Creation Care Task Force is to assist United Methodist congregations in Florida to understand and fulfill ourChristian commitment to care for God’s Creation and to respond to critical stresses on the environment by linking faith with actions that promote stewardship of God's Creation.God’s grace calls the Florida Annual Conference to a biblical and theological commitment to environmental health, wholeness, and holiness to reduce exploitation and foster justice now and in the future.
DESCRIBE OUR CONFERENCE TASK FORCE.
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Photo courtesy of ourbangla.com
climate changeclimate change
First of five slides on the state of creation / science supporting the problems we face.
Regardless of it’s source, Climate Change is REAL and having an impact on the planet.
1. Storm intensities
2. Loss of glaciers
3. Drought
4. Sea Level Rise Fires
5. Acidification of Ocean and fresh water (which affect sea life and our fisheries)
According to the Pew Center on Global Climate change, “The world's leading atmospheric scientists tell us that a gradual warming of our climate is underway and will continue.” This “poses serious risks to our economy and our environment”. It “poses even greater risks to many other nations, particularly poorer countries that will be far less able to cope with a changing climate and low-lying countries where sea level rise will cause significant damage.”
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Change (
deg F
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1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000
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1000 Years of CO2 and Global Temperature Change
Temperature
CO2
CO2: Most Significant Greenhouse PollutantCO2: Most Significant Greenhouse Pollutant
�Carbon dioxide (CO2) has increased in the atmosphere by more than 35%since the Industrial Revolution.
� The most carbon dioxide in650,000 years.
(Siegenthaler et al, 2005)
�Carbon dioxide (CO2) has increased in the atmosphere by more than 35%since the Industrial Revolution.
� The most carbon dioxide in650,000 years.
(Siegenthaler et al, 2005)
While there is debate about whether global warming is the fault of human activity or other “natural” dynamics; there is abundant data revealing that the increase of air pollution has coincided with an increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere AND an increase in earth temperature. (see graph)
Whether we agree with global warming or not, we can still ask ourselves if we are being good stewards of what has existed for thousands of years.
(note to presenter: while science might indicate “hundreds of thousands”, this language will not conflict with strict creationist)
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19411941
20042004
USGS photo
Bruce Molnia photo
Why are
glaciers
melting ?
Glaciers are melting world-wide. (note images)
Accumulation of industrial soot and the increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are believed to contribute to glacier melt. The use of fossil fuels has increased these products in our atmosphere.
“There is an international scientific consensus that most of the warming observed over the last 50 years is attributable to human causes.” according to the 2004 Arctic Climate Impact Assessment
(ACIA) Report.
Catastrophic events such as super volcanic explosions and impacts by meteors are believed to have affected the climate of the past. Most scientist believe that humans are stressing our environment beyond the natural ebb and flow of climate cycles.
While the people of our coast will have to flee inland and upland, due to sea level rise, some population are more exposed to catastrophic circumstances.
The island nation of Tuvalu has a highest elevation of 4.6m (15 ft) above sea level; most is less than 1m above sea level.
In Bangladesh: More than 17 million people live within 3 feet (1m) of sea level.
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Forest Fires
Climate change affects more than just the sea…
A recent increase in wildfire activity has been correlated with rising seasonal temperatures and the earlier arrival of spring..
Dan Cayan, director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography's Climate Research Division states that “The increase in large wildfires appears to be another part of a chain of reactions to climate warming,"By Sara Goudarzi , LiveScience 06 July 2006
Thomas Swetnam of the University of Arizona’s Laboratory of Tree Ring Research states that warming temperatures are combined with forest fuel “ and now we have the worst of both situations ---changed forests and changed climate.” This is happening now.By Mari Jensen , University of Arizona Alumnus, Fall 2006
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Human Health Impacts
This is Mumbia, India
Warming temperatures help some species that are deadly or harmful to humanity.
In a recent chilling assessment, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that human-induced changes in the Earth's climate now lead to at least 5 million cases of illness and more than 150,000 deaths every year.From Science Daily, November 17, 2005
Diseases include: Malaria, Dengue Fever, West Nile Virus, etc.
Climate change is stressing a situation that is already critical. The earth has a limited carrying capacity.
1.Top of slide = what we’re stressing –healthy ecosystems. This is not new.
2.Bottom of slide = problems created
1.We co-opt rivers for energy, drinking water and irrigation, but droughts and over population stress the system.
2.Growing food in deserts & using chemicals
3.Smog. Etc.
4.Suburban sprawl (eating up natural space)
5.Cutting forests, releasing and depleting carbon storage, etc.
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water and lifewater and life
Even without the threat of sea level rise, while most of us hear politicians arguing over water rights for human consumption, or how we need to cut back on irrigation use, etc.; we hear much less about the affects of our lifestyles on our food supply and the natural habitat that support the larger circle of life.
According to the 2005 EPA National Coastal Condition Report, estuaries provide habitat for more than 75 percent of American’s commercial fish catch.
Pew Ocean center reports state that more than 60 percent of our coastal rivers and bays are moderately to severely degraded by nutrient runoff and that at 2001 rates of development , more than one-quarter of our nation’s coastal lands will be altered by 2025.
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Slash and burn farming.Photo by James King
affects of deforestationaffects of deforestation
As resources are depleted in a given location, humanity and other species search for new resources for their survival and for financial exploitation. Although this is actually a fact, here in the US, the rainforests are particularly vulnerable.
According to Robert Walker, a geography professor at Michigan State University and an expert on land-use change in the Brazilian Amazon, “Probably 80 to 90 percent of all cleared land in the regions (the Brazilian Amazon) is attributed to some form of pasture or ranching,” ( Found @ Live Science.com ; Posted 1/9/09, by Matthew Cimitile, Michigan State University
Burning and rotting trees in the Amazon and other Rain forests produce CO2 and the loss of trees creates a loss of CO2 storage ability. This also affects the rain cycle, as the land doesn’t retain moisture for evapotranspiration. The soils are poor and quickly depleted; causing recently deforested agricultural sites to be abandoned or supported by major fertilization imports.
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Source of US CO2 Emissions
Commercial
4% Residential
6%
Industrial
17%
Transportation
33%
Electricity Generation
40%
Energy Information Administration 2000
We can point our fingers at developing countries like Brazil, India and China, but we need to look closely at how our lifestyles contribute to climate change and other global stresses.
The average person in China emits one-half ton -- 1,000 pounds --of carbon dioxide each year. In Japan and Germany the average person emits about two and a half tons each year. In the United States it jumps up to more than twice that amount -- about five a half tons per person every single year. And think about -- our carbon dioxide output relates to how energy efficient we are. When you think about Japan and Germany, you think that they have a prettygood quality of life. And yet they are twice as energy efficient as we are. They waste far less energy than we do. If they can do it, why can’t we?
This chart expresses the sources of our carbon dioxide emmissions.
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What is yourWhat is your
ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT?ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT?
How do you produce CO2How do you produce CO2??
Speaking to the 2009 American Society of Landscape Architects Annual Meeting, Alexandros Washburn, the Urban Design Chief for the City of New York stated “Every city has a ecological footprint that is larger than its actual size. Vancouver, a green city, has a footprint 126 times its actual size.” Robert Walker, The DIRT 9/20/09
The Ecological Footprint is an estimation of the area of land and ocean required to support your consumption of food, goods, services, housing, and energy and assimilate your wastes.
As Christians, should we be taking a serious look at our ecological footprint?
(maybe, mention that they can take quizes on-line; just type in “ecologocal footprint calculator”)
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environmental refugeesenvironmental refugees
Climate Change and carrying capacity are to two BIG areas of concern that affect our lives and livelihood. What are their ramifications?
Natural and human stresses on environment can cause environmental refugees.
1.Livestock need nourishment
2.Andes girl losing water due to glacier melt
3.Pandas eat on certain bamboos
4.Polar bears need the ice to get to food
5.Natural or human forest devastation affects a wide variety of plants and animals.
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What you do unto the least of these…
David Kroodsma RideforClimate.com
These are the Kuna Indians of the beautiful San Blas
Islands of Panama. This native tribe lives on a series of
islands which are, on average, only a few feet above
sea level. It is likely that they will have to abandon
their homes this century. The Kunas also live off of
fish from the coral reefs. So, even without sea level
rises, the Coral reefs may not survive warmer water
temperatures due to global warming.
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David Kroodsma - RideforClimate.com
Loving Our Neighbors
This is family in Honduras who live in the small town of El Pedernal. They survive off of the corn and beans that they grow on the plot of land behind their dirt-floored house. In 1998, Hurricane Mitch destroyed their crops, and destroyed the homes of a number of people in their town. Hurricane Mitch killed ten thousand people in Latin America, and left as many as a hundred thousand without homes. Patricio and Esmeralda lost their crops. Global warming will intensify the strength of these storms.
“Scientists recently mapped out the countries most likely to be affected by climate change. They include some of the poorest and least industrialized parts of the world. In other words, those who have contributed the least to global warming—and who are least able to deal with its effects—are the ones who will suffer most.”
--From the website of World Vision Canada
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species extinctionspecies extinction
For many people and species, the future may provide no place to run. Natural and human stresses on environment can cause species extinction.
1.Elkhorn coral is threatened
2.Birds and animals that have wide ranges of earth are even threatened
3.Green sea turtle lives on land and water
4.Florida’s tar flower is losing habitat
5.Exotic or alien species can supplant or decimate existing native populations (ex. Boas in everglades, cuban tree frog, brazilian pepper tree in everglades.
6.Deforestation removes habitat for species.
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Water qualityWater quality
1. Staghorn coral: Coral reefs harbor more than 25 percent of all known fish and provide our oceans with the highest biodiversity of any marine ecosystem (IPCC, 2007). Increased acid levels and human-produced nutrients kill these reefs.
2. Species like sockeyed salmon need clean water and access- like many species –even people
3. Quality water starts in healthy uplands. Sprawling development destroys these resources forever.
4. Torrential storm events may produce more erosion and overwhelm sewage facilities.
5. Increased evaporation and reduced snowpacks lower water availability. (IPCC, 2007) Villages in places like the Andes are already dealing with this reality.
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sea level and sea level and
estuariesestuaries
Dan MurphyDan Murphy--USFWSUSFWS
1. Salt marsh estuaries affected by redirected storm runoff or sea level rise can affect spawning of sea life, etc.
2. In 2008, the Science Museum of the National Academy of sciences reported that a sea level rise of one foot could eliminate 17-43% of current U.S. wetlands.
3. Sea level rise also causes saline intrusion in freshwater aquifers. This increases and aggravates the existing intrusion problem in areas where the freshwater aquifer is already depleted.
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wetlandswetlands
support lifesupport life
mangrovesmangrovesphoto: Ralph photo: Ralph KresgeKresge--NOAANOAA
tidal riverstidal rivers
salt marshsalt marshphoto: Albert photo: Albert ThebergeTheberge--NOAANOAA
Whether degradation comes from upland fertizers, soil erosion, and oil products or the accelerated dumping of (fresh –water) storm- water into saline ecosystems; our coastal waters and wetlands are being affected. Additionally, since early colonization the U.S. has lost over 50 percent of it’s wetands (USGS, 1996 Fretwell, Williams and Redman).
2008 Economic statistics from NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) indicate that the estimated annual monetary loss of coastal wetland services was $14.9 TRILLION.
This is losses in food sources, jobs, species habitat, etc. Clearly we cannot continue on this path.
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ACTION OPTIONSACTION OPTIONS
images from images from www.renewalproject.netwww.renewalproject.net
Discuss sacred conversations
View Renewal DVD
Etc.
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THINGS TO DOTHINGS TO DO
??Spend five minutes listing what local
congregations and individuals can do.
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RESOURCES FOR DISCIPLESHIPRESOURCES FOR DISCIPLESHIP
3 minutes to share resources
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closing prayerclosing prayer
NCC Prayer of Confession God of all Creation, we come to you in a moment of personal and
corporate confession. We participate in a system which is exploitative and violent and which separates humanity from the rest of Creation. By acts of omission and commission we cause harm toothers. At times we are guilty of complicity, passivity and denial, at other times of abuses of power. We hear the cries of both our fellow humans, who are already living in the midst of extreme poverty and hunger, and the cries of all creation. We know we bear responsibility for the pain of both, and we know the impact one has on the other. We confess our complicity in the plight of all of your Creation, and beg your forgiveness and mercy, that we may do better to follow in the way of You who creates. Amen
