Fire and Freeze

Floods and Droughts

Hurricanes and Tornadoes

Our congregations are being increasingly harmed by extreme weather events. When our congregations were threatened by COVID-19, we did whatever was needed to keep our people safe. How are we responding to the rapidly changing climate?

While politicians, activists, economists, and scientist debate the climate crisis, the church remains remarkably silent. And yet we know according to Paul in Romans that “creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God” (Romans 8:19-23).

Our first commandment before the fall was to care for creation. Like the parable of the workers in the vineyard (Luke 20:9-16), we were given dominion over creation (Gen. 1:26) to “till it and keep it” (Gen. 2:16). And like the parable, our sin warped that original call to one of exploitation, greed, and gluttony. The climate has become an outward and visible sign of our sin which creation can no longer bare. The climate crisis is a spiritual crisis, and we will be judged (Rev. 11:18).

While in this fractured world we may not agree on the same response, we are called as faithful disciples to respond to the spiritual crisis at the root of the climate crisis. You are invited to join with others in the Rio Texas Conference to explore ways to respond that are appropriate for you and your congregation. A series of virtual meetings every other month beginning in September will explore the following topics:

1) Using the General Rules, what is the correct response in my context?

2) What is the scriptural basis for a spiritual response to climate change?

3) What resources are available for preaching and teaching a spiritual response?

4) What traditional spiritual practices can be used for a faith response?

5) What opportunities are available to engage my church and my community in a response?

If you are interested in joining a cohort that will meet virtually from 6:30 to 8:00 pm on the second Thursday of the month (September 8, October 13, November 10, December 8, 2022 and January 12, 2023) to explore these questions, please email Rev. Mark Brechin at revbrechin@gmail.com.

Participants will be invited to join the Rio Texas Creation Care Team as together we spiritually respond to this climate crisis threatening all of us.