[March 29, 2019] Episcopalians and friends concerned about all of God’s creation are joining Presiding Bishop Michael Curry in pledging to take action to protect and renew God’s world and all who call it home. The goal is to gather at least 1,000 pledges with concrete, personal commitments by Earth Day, April 22.
Building from the Episcopal Vision for Care of Creation statement developed by the Presiding Bishop’s Office and the Advisory Council on Stewardship of Creation for the 79
th
General Convention, this
pledge
, and the accompanying
Reflection Guide
, is a tangible and practical way to show love for God’s world.
As Bishop Curry noted, “Many of us are ready to pledge and help to care for God’s creation. Like the Bible said, God so loved the world that he gave his only son. That means the real world: all of us and all of it. And this is one way we can participate in helping to care for God’s creation. This is dear and near to my heart and the heart of God.”
“We hope people understand this is more than adding your signature to a petition,” said the Rev. Melanie Mullen, director of reconciliation, justice and creation care. “Pray with the pledge and the Reflection Guide during Lent. Think about what you love in God’s Creation, where your heart breaks over environmental injustice, and how you’d like to simplify your life – consume less, share more. Then, by Easter Monday – Earth Day – let’s celebrate our shared commitment.”
Dioceses everywhere are lifting up the commitment. At her March 2 ordination and consecration as Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas, the Rt. Rev. Cathleen Chittenden Bascom and Presiding Bishop Michael Curry encouraged the congregation to take the Creation Care pledge.
The three overarching elements of both the vision and the pledge - loving, liberating, and life-giving - arise directly from the call to live as the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement and as people who live the Way of Love:
