ST JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH
AMESBURY, MASSACHUSETTS
We Care - for Creation (on Earth Day & Beyond)
for the week of April 18, 2021
Youth & Up mini-retreat
What you need: a watch, clock, or timer; a quiet creative activity; a candle (if it's okay, or an intentional object like a cross); a Bible, if you'd like; paper; something to write with; a snack. Have your class with a sibling or other family members, or enjoy this time by yourself.
1) Begin with a transition time - Peace & Quiet: enjoy a creative activity for about 10 minutes (journaling, clay, Legos, drawing, etc.) - a time to change gears.
2) Next, clear that space, or move to another space, and light a candle (or place your intentional object). Settle in, and say a prayer, like: Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105). Offer more prayers, silently, or out loud, if you want.
Our focus for this class =
We Care - for Creation
The 3 bishops of the two Episcopal dioceses in Massachusetts (The Rt. Rev. Douglas J. Fisher, Bishop Diocesan, Diocese of Western MA; The Rt. Rev. Alan M. Gates, Bishop Diocesan, Diocese of MA; The Rt. Rev. Gayle E. Harris, Bishop Suffragan, Diocese of MA) have issued a “Declaration of Climate Emergency,” in response to a resolution at the Diocese of Massachusetts' convention.
“We believe that God is calling us all to embrace brave and difficult change. Everything we do as faithful individuals and as a church must reckon with the unprecedented emergency in which humanity now finds itself,” the bishops say in the declaration. “We strongly urge congregations across Massachusetts to pray, learn, act, and advocate as we build a bold and faith-filled response to the greatest moral challenge of our time.”
We're invited to take care - be stewards - of all that God has given us, by offering repentance for our misuse and neglect; thankfulness for these gifts; and making changes. . . for good!
Did you know? On Ash Wednesday, we kneel for the Litany of Penitence, and confess our sins, including “our self-indulgent appetites and ways. . . our intemperate love of worldly goods and comforts. . . our waste and pollution of (God’s) creation, and our lack of concern for those who come after us.” (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 268) These words express our sorrow and our determination to do better.
So - let's brainstorm and share our knowledge and ideas. Let's pray, ponder, and put into action the little ways that can add up to make a difference (and think about big ways, too!).
Tell me your favorite three little things that anybody can do right now, to make an impact.
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What's one BIG thing we can tackle? How?
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Here are 3 littles + 1 big from me:
1) compost - I have a container in my kitchen where I toss my food scraps. When it's full, it goes outdoors to our backyard bin. Amazing to see peels & whatnot turn into rich earth! Check out the EPA's advice: click here. There are subscription services that provide bins & pickup, too, if that works better for you - Black Earth and MONA are two local options.
2) reduce packaging - I buy giant sizes of packaged goods, then repack them for easier use in glass containers, etc. Bonus tip: I make sure that I actually use the stuff I buy! Extra bonus: I reuse whatever I can, recycle whatever's acceptable, then trash (ugh) what's left.
3) I try to buy used stuff, not new. I love to go thrifting - especially at places where the proceeds go to charities. I donate my good stuff to these places, too.
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1) Here's my big idea. Stop & think twice before buying anything. What's your impact? Try to buy local; also support fair trade & practices. Think about our environment and resources. Make good choices, considering that what we do affects our neighbors and our whole world.
And remember, we are meant to live simple lives, with our focus on God. We should not be bound by objects and acquisitions. (Plus: do not covet!) Jesus reminds us: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21)
What is your treasure?
Where is your heart?
Let's identify what truly means the most to us - and what we'd like to leave for those who come after us. We can "pray, learn, act, and advocate" as individuals and together.
Take care of God's creation ("It is good"). It's a way of praising & giving thanks to God.
