Our commitment to be a church that loves as God loves includes loving beyond the human family. Indeed, the Christian faith has historically stood for justice, and that includes justice for all creation – human and other-than-human. Caring for the earth in a just and loving way is rooted in the second chapter of Genesis, where God gave us the job of “tilling and keeping” what God had created. Because of our love for Christ, who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, in whom all things were created and in whom all things hold together, and through whom all things are reconciled to God (Colossians 1:15-20), defending and healing what God has made is an essential element of our faith.
To help make that a reality, our denomination has set up a program encouraging Presbyterian churches to receive certification as an Earth Care Congregation. Because of our commitment to that reality, and steps we have already taken toward being loving stewards of God’s earth, Geneva has applied and is qualified to be certified as an Earth Care Congregation.
Part of that process was for Session to sign the following pledge:
Peace and justice is God’s plan for all creation. The earth and all creation are God. God calls us to be careful, humble stewards of this earth, and to protect and restore it for its own sake, and for the future use and enjoyment of the human family. As God offers all people the special gift of peace through Jesus Christ, and through Christ reconciles all to God, we are called to deal justly with one another and the earth.
1. Our worship and discipleship will celebrate God’s grace and glory in creation and declare that God calls us to cherish, protect and restore this earth.
2. In education, we will seek learning and teaching opportunities to know and understand the threats to God’s creation and the damage already inflicted. We will encourage and support each other in finding ways of keeping and healing creation in response to God’s call to earth-keeping, justice and community.
3. Our facilities will be managed, maintained and upgraded in a manner that respects and cherishes all creation, human and non-human, wile meeting equitably the needs of all people. In our buildings and on our grounds we will use energy efficiently, conserve resources, and share what we have in abundance so that God’s holy creation will be sustainable for all life and future generations.
4. Our outreach will encourage public policy and community involvement that protects and restores the vulnerable and degraded earth as well as oppressed and neglected people. we will be mindful that our personal and collective actions can positively or negatively affect our neighborhood, region, nation and world. We will seek to achieve environmental justice through coalitions and ecumenical partnerships.
At its February 2020 meeting, Session unanimously affirmed and signed on to that pledge. Our application was completed and accepted by the Office of the General Assembly of the PC(USA). We are delighted and excited to be part of this denomination-wide movement.
We invite you to make earth care a priority by participating in nature-based experiences, classes and programs here at Geneva, and we encourage you to take further steps to make earth care a priority in your home as well, and to share your experiences with Geneva’s Creation Care Team.
Additionally, check out the most recent essay by a Creation Care Team member:
Geneva Creation Care Team members:
Bryan Smith • Andrea Zhou • Deb Flavell • Moriah Carpenter • Cindy Thomas • Wayne Bloem • Sarah Wiggins • Carol Ranieri-Jones