“BIOPHILIA” I have it! I know that the folks at St. John’s have it!
T.H. Watkins asked, “Do human beings have within them an innate sense of connection to all other forms of life?
If so, can this natural feeling, this “Biophilia”, both enhance our respect for ourselves as humans and reinforce our sense of obligation to treat other forms of life with loving care?”
As a member of the Creation Care Team, I believe we are called on to protect and repair our earth, while acknowledging that the less privileged have been disproportionately affected by environmental injustice.
For many years, the Creation Care Team has helped bring information to the congregation and plan actions for us as individuals and as a faith community. Being a part of this effort has given me real satisfaction, helped me to make connections with other organizations, and helped me realize that I can make a difference.
One connection was with Sarah Ogletree. She came to St. John’s a few years ago to tell us about Interfaith Power & Light, an organization that began in an Episcopal church in California and now has chapters in 40+ states. Basically, IPL supports communities of faith to “care for God’s Creation and to love our neighbors”.
St. John’s is doing that through planting and caring for the Native Plants Teaching Garden (NO pollinators, NO strawberries or PBJ); volunteering in the NorthEast Community Garden and Presbyterian Garden; workshops with preschool kids on bird’s beaks and food; installing energy efficient windows; sitting in circles in the columbarium to share how each of us found hope in our concern for the earth. There have been many other events, but I have to tell you that watching 3 and 4 year old kids squeal as they run their hands through freeze-dried mealworms was delightful; having St. John’s kids digging together to plant native trees on our grounds and lugging water to the new trees; hearing one young parishioner say that he found comfort and hope while distance running. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to share in these activities with children. That gives me hope!
We have used kits from IPL to help in our celebration of Earth Week, or Faith Climate Action Week, April 19 – 28. The theme this year is Common Ground: Cultivating Connections Between Our Faith, Our Food, and the Climate. I did not know that healthy soil could be such an important and practical solution! There will be an opportunity to find out how at the watch party!
Some things to look for:
Postcards to pledge to vote with the climate in mind, after 9:30 service, April 14 and 28
Garden Blessing on April 21
Nationwide Climate Prayer at noon on April 22
Watch party – “Common Ground” (get some compost from CompostNow for your plants) Wednesday, April 24
And let Creation Care & Repair Team members know of your concerns about our Sacred Earth at coffee hour on the 21st and 28th. Contact me if you would like to join our Team jdarthur4785@gmail.com! Share in the satisfaction and joy that I have found in this ministry.