"Let them praise the name of the Lord,

    for his name alone is exalted;

    his glory is above earth and heaven." Psalm 148.13

Friday,  April 22, is Earth Day. Now in its 46th year,  Earth Day is described as, "a movement that continues to inspire, challenge ideas, ignite passion, and motivate people to action." Wow! That sounds a lot like Christianity. In addition to events for the day, organizers are asking people to do "the bight stuff" like plant 7.8 billion trees and create 100% renewable cities. That sounds like more than just attending an Earth Day rally - it sounds more like a way of living.

This Sunday, we will include in the worship experience our deep commitment to creation. You will notice it in our Collect - the prayer we use to collect ourselves for worshipping together, in the hymns sung as an offering to God, in our Eucharistic prayer as we gather around the table, and in the reflection about Scripture. We are delighted to have Farley Lord Smith, a vestry member and choir singer, preaching at the  11:00 service.

Most of all I hope you will notice our profound and abiding love for creation is more than just a day. As Christians, how we treat the earth and one another says so much about how we see God working in our lives. I continue to be reminded that when we have something that brings us joy we put it in a place of honor where we can share it with others. Imagine a world where we always viewed the earth and the creatures (human and otherwise) in it as gifts from God. While I admit I wish some of the people in my life came with gift receipts so I could make an exchange or return, I realize those same folks help me stretch and grow in ways I couldn't otherwise. Perhaps that is what it means to see Earth Day and Christianity as more than labels but ways of living?

We are doing much at Epiphany to live what we preach. We are deepening our Christian commitment to the earth and our fellow human beings through dedicated recycling, important resource management, strengthening relationships, honoring our sacred space, and intentional prayer. After Pentecost, look for our Coffee & Conversation topics to turn toward stewardship of creation and what we can do as individuals, families, and a parish to further care for our the earth, our island home. Most of all I hope you will join me in focusing on the created world and our fellow travelers as gifts from God so that (!) we can be Christians who inspire, challenge, ignite and motivate the world. Not just one day but every day.