Creation Care

Some years ago we lived in Mwanza, Tanzania.  It is a pleasant city: tropical, yet not humid, mostly clear skies, and on the shore of a beautiful lake.  The built-up “downtown” of shops was small (relative to the population of 1.5 million people) and while we did shop in the local markets on many occasions, we also frequented one store in particular.  This store usually stocked imported items from Nairobi or elsewhere in Kenya.  Most often we could find everything we needed, plus some oddities.  That’s where the chickens come into the story.  

The church meets to imagine what our lives can be like if the gospel were true.  - Walter Brueggemann

I hear a voice and He calls me redeemed
When others say I'll never be enough
And greater is the One living inside of me
Than he who is living in the world

- Greater Mercy Me

Climate Witness Project is blessed to have a great group of regional organizers throughout North America, working to mobilize churches to take creation care seriously. We asked each of them to recommend a favorite book or resource that deals with climate change issues. Here’s what they said:

It's hard to count it all joy
Distracted by the noise
Just trying to make sense
Of all your promises

-Thy Will (Hillary Scott) 

In this episode, Dr. Sylvia Keesmaat shares the theological underpinnings that inspire the sustainable efforts and regenerative agriculture practices at Russet House Farm. She and Chris also discuss worshipping outside, eating locally, times of Sabbath and Jubilee, and caring for creation as we long for God’s ultimate goodness for our world and our neighbours.

 “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it.” - John 1:5

Our call to be good stewards of God’s earth and to care for one another is under threat in many places, but none more notable than Alaska. For the first time, oil drilling will be allowed in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, located in the northern part of Alaska. This breathtaking parcel of God’s creation, home to the Gwich’in people, is unique in its wilderness qualities and ecological integrity, where natural processes remain mostly uninfluenced by people.

“I want to bake 100 cookies!” my 5-year-old announced over the noise of a crying baby and loud kitchen fan. 

I wanted a nap. 

We were finally getting around to our goal of trying to help the animals of Plaster Creek. Plaster Creek brings my family countless hours of joy as we hike and bike on the trail near our home in the Garfield Park neighborhood of Grand Rapids, Mich. 

Plaster Creek also happens to be the most contaminated creek in West Michigan. In fact, when coloring a picture of the creek, my son commented, “Shouldn’t the water be BROWN instead of blue?” 

"Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal."  Philippians 3:17

Lytton, BC destroyed by fire, after record breaking heat, in minutes.

The village of Lytton, BC broke records for the highest heat ever recorded in Canada last week (49 C or 120 F) and then on June 30, residents had to flee due to a wildfire that demolished most of the town in less than 30 minutes.