There has never been a more important time for the church to be the church and live out the transforming love of Christ Jesus. Climate change is now impacting our local communities, congregations, and their ministries in a myriad of ways including financially, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Yet, throughout the Bible, we are told that the earth is the Lord’s and therefore holy, and we are called to care for and learn from creation (Genesis 2.15, Ps. 24.1, Job 12.7-10), and to care for “the least of these among us” (Matthew 25) which includes the earth.
In these times, we need to remind ourselves and each other of the power and impact of the local church. Churches play an enormous role in supporting community needs, particularly for the most vulnerable. Close community connections mean that we know the critical needs of our communities and we respond.
With the challenges of our times come incredible opportunities to be the church in new and innovative ways, living out the gospel in our local communities. New churches are called to find unique ways to care for the earth and all who depend on it as dictated by the location and context. Creation care, which is as ancient as our faith and important to many people’s spirituality, is a way for churches to be renewed and strengthened to each other, the local community, and God.
Green Chalice is honored and blessed to partner with New Church Ministry to support and resource new churches to connect our faith, spiritual practices, and creation consciousness to demonstrate the fullness of God’s shalom. In honor of Earth Month, lead your church in becoming a Green Chalice Congregation!
~ Rev. Carol Devine, Co-Minister of Green Chalice
Rev. Carol Devine is the national faith and climate director for ecoAmerica’s Blessed Tomorrow program. She is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and founder of the denomination’s creation care ministry, Green Chalice. Carol served as a congregational pastor for 14 years in Kentucky where ecumenical and interfaith work was a priority. Before being called to ministry, Carol was a teacher and a Peace Corps Volunteer. She is a graduate of Transylvania University (BA), University of Kentucky (MS), and Lexington Theological Seminary (MDiv). She is the mother of three adult children and loves to travel, hike, kayak, cycle, garden, and read.
A shortened version of this post also appeared in the April 2024 issue of the New Church Know-It-All.
