Faithful Ecology
When Deacon Maureen-Elizabeth Hagen first suggested that St. John’s observe the Season of Creation (September 1-October 4), my knee-jerk reaction was no. I was unfamiliar with Creation Season, and unwilling to venture into new territory so soon in my new ministry with you. But then the Holy Spirit prompted me to take a closer look and repent of my initial resistance. I discovered that the season had been embraced by ecumenical bodies around the world, including the Episcopal Church. Wonderfully, when I shared the idea with the church staff and the Vestry, the suggestion was received positively, with openness for trying something new in the long history of this parish.
Through this season I have learned about your joy and delight in Creation, as well as your care of and concern for the environment. You shared your hearts with me and named how the goodness of Creation points to the Creator. You also shared your concern for grandchildren and future generations. The crisis of climate change calls for leadership. Sadly, those entrusted with the highest levels of political authority have failed to protect the environment (indeed, they seem hellbent on exploiting the environment for their own selfish purposes or the enrichment of their supporters).
Leadership starts with liturgy. What difference does our worship make for facing the crisis of climate change? Liturgy is a Greek word that means the work of the people. In this original sense, building a road and other public works were the work of the community. Improvements required public participation and sacrifice. As Christian worship developed over the centuries, the celebration of the Holy Eucharist became a liturgy—a ritual central to the life of the community, which required the work of many hands, who attended to the spiritual, aesthetic and material aspects of the public rite. The liturgy expresses our deepest values and strongest convictions. Its how we hold hope for our communities. Our worship inspires us to reach out our hands in love to work and sacrifice for the flourishing of the entire community.
Confession is an essential part of our worship. In our creation season liturgy, we confess to the Creator that “We have walked heavily on your earth, overused and wasted its resources, taken for granted its beauty and abundance, and treated its inhabitants unjustly, holding future generations hostage to our greed.” Strong stuff, but an honest accounting. Our faith enables us to see more clearly our responsibility, and to hold each other accountable for the current crisis. We tell the truth, repent and receive grace to amend our lives. Above all, worship inspires faith in the Creator, who fills our imagination and strengthens our will to take action for the sake of Creation.
I believe the Church is vital to the spiritual ecology of Creation. Members of the Church are active in the community politically, professionally and passionately through legislation, public policy, education, science and technology, and by getting their hands dirty in their own backyards and community gardens. But the church also can lead by example. To this end, St. John’s will apply for a denominational grant that aims to transform the churchyard to permaculture by planting native species and other sustainability measures (learn more about it on Sunday at 9 a.m.). In this way the churchyard is a witness to our faith in our Creator and an expression of our care for Creation.
Faithfully in Christ,
Greg+
The Reverend Gregory Bezilla
Interim Rector
