For the Beauty of the Earth
Since the
Query
“Guidance
for
Responding
to the
Changing
Earth
Climate”
failed to
pass by thirteen votes at annual conference last
summer, Martin and I pondered about how to send
a new query concerning the care of God’s creation
to Annual Conference.We presented a draft of our query proposal to the Leadership team prior to District Conference and recommended having a creation care statement added to the Illinois/Wisconsin district website. They were agreeable to us continuing the process and granted permission for an informal luncheon at District Conference in Elgin to discuss our query ideas. The response was excellent. We had several churches represented by about twenty people. Thank you for attending.
We plan to have the query from the Polo Church of the Brethren ready for District Conference in 2015.
Now we ask everyone interested to help us continue this process. There are many ways to do this:
- A study resource guide on climate change developed in 2012 is available on the Church of the Brethren denominational website: www.brethren.org/advocacy/creationcare.html
- Read Wendy McFadden’s September Messenger editorial listing the past statements that have been adopted.
- Read letters appearing in October and November Messengers concerning opinions pro and con. Be aware of future conversations.
- Share stories with us and the district newsletter staff about what your church or community has done or plans to do to help our communities and states.
- Respond by taking care of Earth’s resources responsibly - such as reduced dependence on fossil fuels, investments in companies who focus on environmental restoration and starting community gardens.
- Share with others how our care of God’s earth may well be a most effective way to bring the gospel to our neighbors.
For the love of God’s people and creation, Martin and Patty Stauffer
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