Creation Care Course Week 3

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Let the land produce vegetation

Our session this week focusses on the blessings of God in the form of rich growth around the world enabling all his creatures to live in fullness. We look at how our actions are impacting the natural environment and explore our role as stewards of the land created by God.

Optional preparation reading

‘Saying Yes to Life’ book, Chapter 3


Welcome back to week 3 – opening questions

  • Have we noticed that we are suddenly more alert and aware of articles in the media about the climate crisis since we began the course?

  • Are we finding our views or habits changing as we learn more?

Bible reading selected from

  • Genesis 1: 9-13

  • Psalm 24: 1

  • John 15: 1

  • Psalm 1

  • Jeremiah 17: 7-8

 

Optional video viewing

Your group may watch these in advance of meeting to allow more discussion time:

  1. Saying Yes to Life Resources - Ruth Valerio in conversation with Bernadette Kabonesa, Senior Research Technician, Ugandan National Agricultural Research Organisation

  2. Film three: How to persuade others to care about climate change - Tearfund - Katharine Heyhoe

 

Video discussion and questions

We consider in Genesis 1 the waters being gathered and drawn back revealing dry ground, land and seas are brought into being as separate entities within creation. A marvellous vision appears in our mind as life emerges on land in the form of plants, trees and seeds, to bear fruit and provide for us in abundance. In the book, Ruth describes how we feel compelled to protect and look after things that we have created ourselves – our works of art that we love.  We ask ourselves if we do the same for God’s creation – His land?  We open the topic of waste, over-consumption and how we can reduce waste.

Your leader may also email you some specific questions to consider in advance of the session.

Reflection and prayer 

Close by reflecting on Psalm 1 asking God to root you deeply in Him, through the rhythms and practices in your life, to bear fruits at the right time.

“This is not the time and place for dreams. This is the time to wake up. This is a moment in history where we need to be wide awake.”

– Greta Thunberg

Actions and ambitions planner –
How can I love and respect the land more?

 
Short term

Short Term – this is easy!

  • Take a walk in nature, be really observant and appreciative of the trees and vegetation. Maybe count the tree species?  Smell the fragrances of creation

  • Assess the plant-based products used at home – perhaps start by switching the milk on my cereals – lots of alternatives are far tastier.  Can you reduce reliance on dairy products?

  • Review Palm Oil | Ethical Consumer to help you understand which brands are kinder to nature

  • Start assessing your waste at home – how much are you sending to landfill?  Can you increase ways of reuse and upcycling as part of our care for creation – putting gifts from God’s in the picture?

  • Give your time by joining a local litter picking project – a great opportunity to start those conversations about Jesus at the same time – explain about our creation care series

  • Commit to bringing your reusable coffee cup to Kerith each time you visit

Medium term

Medium Term – this needs a little more planning

  • Start buying organic – maybe just one product as a starting point and then expand as your budget allows

  • Increase plant based food intake to vary your diet and improve your health while helping nature

  • Check out Terracycle  - you will be amazed at the household items that you can recycle through local schemes

  • Maybe you would like to learn about carbon offsetting projects that are run by Christians across the globe? About Us | Climate Stewards

Long term

Longer Term – needs more consideration

  • Is it time to get that allotment that you have been thinking about for some time?  At least get your name on the waiting list and start researching how you get started with growing more produce for yourself and to share with friends and family.

  • Commit to composting! 

  • Seek out ethically produced products such as Fairtrade options to ensure that the suppliers of your produce pay the workers fairly and that workers have rights

  • Can you give to Tearfund’s Bin Twinning initiative and donate £45  to ‘twin’ your bin and  fund a community project that’s preventing disease, poverty and protecting the land?

  • Can you give your time in the future to conservation by volunteering with an organisation such as Volunteering Opportunities (arocha.org.uk) or www.rewildingbritain.org.uk