Every April, the global community recognizes Earth Day as an occasion to call ourselves back to our relationships and responsibilities to this world that we are blessed to live on, and our responsibilities to one another to work toward an equitable sharing of the fruit and resources of God’s creation. A recentering of these relationships is increasingly important as we continue to experience the effects of a worsening climate emergency around the world, and so we join with faith communities, civil society organizations, community leaders and concerned individuals in lifting up our commitment to work for a truly sustainable world for all.
Our scriptures remind us, from their very first pages, that God looks upon creation and sees that it is very good (Genesis 1: 31), and throughout the history of our Christian faith we are called again and again to care for God’s gift and to remember that we are, in fact, part of this creation. In recent years these calls have increased from communities most impacted by the realities of human-caused climate change, including Indigenous communities around the world, global church partners experiencing unprecedented ecological changes, and from young people concerned for the future that awaits them and those who will come after them. We must take decisive action now in order to answer these calls in a just way.
In 2023, both of our churches passed resolutions calling on members to continue to take action on the climate crisis, at all levels of our denominations and with ecumenical, interfaith and secular partners. This year for Earth Day, and throughout the rest of the year, we invite you to consider how you, your congregation, your synod or diocese, and your national church structures can take concrete steps to live into these commitments made last year. If you are looking for a starting point, you might consider:
- Planning or joining a community event for Earth Week. For the Love of Creation (which includes both of our churches) provides a growing list of events taking place in communities across the country – add yours, or find out what is already planned for your area.
- Advocating for effective climate policy at all levels of government. For the Love of Creation has some advocacy resources available.
- Discerning how your congregation can continue to respond by engaging with our Parish Engagement Resource for Social and Ecological Justice. Learn more about the resource in our webinar on May 7.
- Learning about the carbon impact of your church building and how you can make changes to reduce this.
- The ELCIC has developed a Green House Gas (GHG) Inventory Calculator for Congregations, and Faith and the Common Good has excellent tools and resources to help get you started.
- Praying for healing, solidarity and action for the sake of the earth and for all who live upon it.
We firmly believe that it is not too late for us to halt the most destructive impacts of climate change, but it requires commitment and determination from us now. We cannot afford to wait any longer. This Earth Day, may our faith in the promise of the resurrection move us forward in hope to take action together.
The Most Rev. Chris Harper
National Indigenous Anglican Archbishop,
Anglican Church of Canada
The Rev. Susan Johnson
National Bishop,
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
The Most Rev. Linda Nicholls
Archbishop and Primate,
Anglican Church of Canada
Photo credit: The Rev. Dr. Eileen Scully
from https://www.anglicanlutheran.ca/statements/take-action-now-anglican-lutheran-leaders-call-ahead-of-earth-day-2024/