The following tells of a potent (but virtually unknown) climate change that began and ended in a 300-year timeframe. At first, it benefitted the people and led to population growth and stability. But when it changed again at the end of that period, the two largest American civilizations north of Mexico had ceased to exist.
Tilling and Keeping
Season of Creation: Work Across the Diocese
We are called to be caretakers of the gift of God’s creation. As we take time this month to reflect on God’s creation, it’s easy to dwell on the negative impacts that are taking place and lose sight of the forest for the trees. However, here in Arizona, congregations and ministries are taking action now to help reduce the problems around climate change and our environment. Here are just some of the ways.
2024 Season of Creation – To Hope and Act with Creation
parishes throughout Arizona can use this resource to celebrate God’s creation during this season which starts on September 1st and ends on October 4th, the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi. The theme for 2024 is To Hope and Act with Creation.
Seed Sovereignty
The term “seed sovereignty” is virtually unknown in North America. Yet the term is very well-known and, in fact, has become a political rallying cry among Hispanic farming communities and Native American peoples of the Rocky Mountain West, on a par with the term “social justice.”
Water is Life
Four years ago, at the 61st Arizona Diocesan Convention, The Council for Creation Care submitted a water conservation resolution that was unanimously approved in both orders. As the resolution stated, congregations were offered the option to take actions that include one or more of the following:
Let the Trees Sing for Joy
Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it.Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. Psalm 96:11-12 This month’s contribution to the Bishops’ Epistle from …
Creating a Stewardship Ethos
How Do You Help Someone Care About the Environment? by John Wennes, Creation Care Council Member Ethos – the characteristic spirit of a culture, era, or community as manifested in its beliefs and aspirations. As a kid growing up in Tempe in the 1960s and 1970s, our family made occasional trips up north to the high …
Meditations on the Ministry of St. Francis
by Bill Robertson, Creation Care Council Chair As an artist, an iconographer, and farmer, it has always bothered me that most artistic images of St. Francis of Assisi depict him as sweetly bucolic, praying before rose-covered crosses and preaching to the birdies when, in fact, his whole life consisted of constantly violating the rules of …
St. Francis of Assisi – Celebrating God’s Creatures
An important creation care opportunity is just around the corner, and Arizona Episcopal Churches will lead the way. On October 4 the church honors St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. On that date, and several dates surrounding it, various diocesan communities will celebrate the occasion with a Blessing of the Animals service. …
Paper in the Life of the Church
By Thomas Blum Here in the Phoenix area, we just recently had a record run of thirty-one consecutive days with temperatures above 110°; many days over 115°. There can be little doubt that climate change is rearing its ugly head. One of the many culprits that may come as a surprise to many people is …
The Problem with Water – A Personal Journey
By Bill Robinson Lynn is behind the wheel today and her clenched-jaw attention is fixed on the road. The borrow ditches on either side of the narrow, bumpy, asphalt defile known as “Indian Highway 15” are exceptionally deep. She does not have the luxury of sightseeing. That’s my job. That, and trying to serve as …
Hydrogen: God’s gift to planet Earth
by David Spence, MD Electric vehicles are flooding the market these days. For those of us who take the threat of climate change seriously as part of our Christian responsibility to be good caretakers of the world that God created, this is a tremendous opportunity to reduce our carbon footprint. But there are also zero-emission …