ONE EARTH, ONE CHANCE: A CONVERSATION ON CAREFOR CREATION

About 30 people attended a special district event focusing on creation care on April 27. Held at the Highland Avenue church in Elgin, participants could come in person or participate via Zoom. David Radcliff of New Community Project was the keynote speaker for the event, sharing on the theme “One Earth, One Chance.” 

Outlining the many challenges facing our planet, and the effects on the oceans, forest, and atmosphere, David said, “There’s only one creature that buries its head in the sand—and it’s not the ostrich.” He wondered what it’s going to take to change our present reality, and lifted up encouraging stories of things some people around the world are doing to make a difference. 

David followed up with an additional talkback session, and mini-workshops were also offered by Camp Emmaus manager Randall Westfall and Polo member Jonathan Stauffer (a science teacher), who looked at eco-discipleship and routes to healing, and by Highland Avenue’s own “Green Team,” who shared some activities they have been doing as a congregation and gave an outdoor tour of the congregation’s garden/natural areas. And Jeff Lennard of Brethren Press attended with a resource table full of books on creation care topics to spur further ideas. 

The video of David’s presentation is now available on the district website , and we’re working at providing recordings of some of the workshops. Consider ways that your congregation might be part of caring for God’s creation!