Educate | Collaborate | Inspire | | |
Welcome to the 2nd issue of the new, expanded Province IV Creation Care Network newsletter. Our goal is to share ideas and opportunities happening throughout the faith community, with the hope of inspiring others to become more involved in caring for creation as we learn to appreciate how interconnected we all are with the rest of God's creation.
We encourage you to mark your calendar to attend the monthly creation care gatherings sponsored by Province IV and V Environmental Networks. We highlight below other upcoming meetings and webinars that may be of interest, as well as share a sampling of the creation-focused Lenten resources that are currently available. Please explore.
Ways You Can Help
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Cindy Coe, Chairperson of the Creation Care Task Force of TEC General Convention, has reported that the task force is working to compile a list of creation care resources for use by Episcopal congregations, camps, and other church-affiliated agencies. If you have resources to recommend, please contact Cindy at cindycoe@live.com, including a link to your resource and an indication of whether it is free or available for purchase.
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We would love to feature in this newsletter the great things that are happening in your parish or diocese. Please submit stories and pictures to province4cc@gmail.com. Help us inspire others working in this ministry area.
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As always, please encourage everyone you know who is involved in creation care ministry to sign up for this newsletter at https://bit.ly/4qaunDp.
| | Creation Care Network Monthly Gatherings | | |
Provinces IV and V
Monday, February 9 at 1 p.m. ET/12 p.m. CT
Stations of the Cross and Creation:
A Lenten Tool for Reflection
You are invited to join us for some Lenten reflection and conversation around The Stations of the Cross and Creation with The Rev. Jerry Cappel and Amy Tidwell, creators of this version of the Stations of the Cross. In this hour, Jerry and Amy will lead us in some Lenten contemplation and conversation using the art and poetry of this collection.
The Stations of the Cross and Creation features the original artwork of Amy Tidwell, paired with the scripture texts of each station of the cross and selected poems of poet and author Wendell Berry. This combination of art, poetry, and prose gives special place to expressing how all creation is caught up in the betrayal and violence so evident in the suffering journey of Jesus in Holy Week. The artwork shuttles our focus between the human drama and that of the broader creation. The poetry brings poignant focus to the injustice and foolishness bound up in these moments.
Come and prepare for your own Lenten journeys at this month’s gathering.
| | Free monthly gatherings on Zoom featuring mentors and leaders on Creation Care and the intersections of evangelism, discipleship, and justice. 2nd Thursday of each month, beginning in February 2026, 6:30-8 pm CT. | | Creation-focused Lent Resources | | Through the ages, the natural world has sung magnificently on its own and has inspired a wonderful body of human songs. The presentation, interspersed with song, is an autobiographical walk through a life of singing around family campfires, in church settings, on field trips with students, and in a variety of concerts. My selections, narrowed from many dozens of songs, reveal a bit of my life’s passions and influences, and my hope is that the presentation will remind you of your own songs, even songs that had left your recent consciousness. | | |
The Creation Care Compline is creatively adapted from the service in the Book of Common Prayer by a different team of facilitators each month. Mindfulness of God's creation is woven throughout the peaceful service. Creation Care Compline is generally held the first Monday of each month and is a partnership between the Green Caucus and the Mission Program Office of The Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop’s Office. This month's Compline:
Monday, February 2
8:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. CT
Join Episcopalians across the Church for an evening of prayer and meditation. Register here to receive a monthly reminder, or simply join each month's session using the button below.
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God Draws Near: the Mission of God and the Belovedness of All Creatures
What story does the Bible tell? Come join an online discussion on God Draws Near: Rethinking the Biblical Theology of Mission (Baker, 2025), a new book by Center board member Collin Cornell.
Most Christians treat the Bible as one big story of God's work to save and heal. Collin argues instead for a different view: that God intends not just to fix brokenness but to cherish and delight in creatures – to enjoy communion with humans and nonhumans alike. The webinar, therefore, explores the mission of God and the belovedness of all creatures.
Dr. Collin Cornell earned a PhD in Old Testament from Emory University, taught for three years as a visiting professor of biblical studies in the School of Theology at Sewanee, and now serves on the faculty of Fuller Seminary as assistant professor of Bible and mission.
The event is free but registration is required.
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The National Faith + Climate Forum is one of the nation’s largest and most diverse gatherings at the intersection of faith and climate. Each year, it brings together more than 2,000+ participants across 80+in-person host locations, representing more than 550 congregations and 30 faith traditions and denominations. Clergy and congregational leaders of all ages come together to learn, collaborate, and implement meaningful climate solutions in their communities.
Join them on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at a host location or from your home or office for a powerful hybrid event featuring live-streamed program. This year’s theme, The Future We Choose: Faith in Action for a Thriving Tomorrow, invites attendees to imagine and build the world that becomes possible when people of faith lead with courage, care, and conviction.
Participation is FREE! Attend in person at one of the host locations,
or online from the comfort of your own home or office.
Or host this event at your own congregation!
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Nurture and Sustain:
Action-Based Climate Resilience
Created by a team at Episcopal Relief & Development, "Nurture and Sustain" is a complete toolkit on the subject of Climate Resilience, with printable and sharable resources, including goal setting and leadership development, worship and formation, and myriad suggestions for taking action. You can preview and download the toolkit here. If you would like to learn more, please check out this video of Episcopal Relief and Development's Chad Brinkman explaining the program at our last Province IV/V monthly meeting. Please check it out, along with the entire body of Faith Formation resources.
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An Episcopal Path to Creation Justice is now available for parishes in Provinces 4 and 5 through this tool kit, which was developed with funding support from the Episcopal Church's Network for Creation Care and Environmental Racism. The Path combines leadership training for a core team of Companions with congregational development for parishes or Episcopal communities looking to deepen their engagement with Creation Justice. Whether your community is "all in" for creation or just getting started, the Path offers an opportunity to develop a comprehensive plan for beginning or deepening your green ministry. There will be training opportunities for those interested in becoming a Companion (a coach who works with parishes) throughout the year and the program launches a new cohort of parishes each fall. Learn more at the Episcopal Path website.
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An Earth Day Opportunity for the Children in Your Congregation
Deadline to Signup - February 15, 2026
Since 2010 the Neighborhood Forest Program has distributed over 300,000 trees to children with a goal of giving children the simple joy of planting their own tree and watching it grow. The forest that results will reduce our carbon footprint, beautify neighborhoods, and instill a sense of magic, wonder and love for the planet in the hearts of these little ones.
The deadline to sign up for this year's program is February 15, and the trees will arrive by Earth Day. If this sounds like an Earth Day project for the children at your church, read more about the program here and act now to register your congregation.
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Be an inspiration to others! We want to hear how your parishes are caring for creation through worship, education, outreach and advocacy. Reply to this email and a network member will be in touch to learn all the details.
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For more information, contact the Province IV Creation Care Network at
province4cc@gmail.com
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