Creation Care Course Week 6

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Let the land produce living creatures and let us make humankind in our image

This week we contemplate how humanity is the species chosen by God to bear his image, and we are tasked with respecting and caring for each other and wider creation. We explore how we differ from animals and wildlife, and the importance of biodiversity and the preservation of each distinct species.

Optional preparation reading

‘Saying Yes to Life’ book, Chapter 6


Welcome back to week 6 – opening questions

  • How many of us have pets and how do they impact our lives?

  • How many of us are already vegetarian or vegan as a lifestyle choice?

Bible reading selected from

  • Genesis 1: 24-31

  • Psalm 8: 6

  • Psalm 139: 14

  • Exodus 15: 1-18

  • 1 Corinthians 11: 17-22

 

Optional video viewing

Your group may watch these in advance of meeting to allow more discussion time:

  1. Saying Yes To Life Resources  – Ruth Valerio in conversation with Archbishop Justin Welby

  2. Film eight: There can be a better future - Tearfund – Katharine Heyhoe 

  3. How the pandemic impacts climate change – Katharine Heyhoe 

 

Video discussion and questions

There is a lot to talk about this week! Our conversations may analyse how the experience of COVID and lockdown impacted our thoughts about caring for creation.  We may also dig deeper into the area of equality and justice for all humankind in the eyes of our creator. There is also an opportunity to talk about our diet choices and possibly making some changes. 

Your leader may also email you some specific questions to consider in advance of the session.

Reflection and prayer 

We thank God for the abundance and critical role of biodiversity in our lives.

“People of conscience need to break their ties with corporations financing the injustice of climate change.”

– Barack Obama

Actions and ambitions planner – How can I care for all people inclusively and care for all creatures on the land?

 
Short term

Short Term – I have got this!

  • Make your garden more wildlife friendly – learn how to attract hedgehogs

  • Plan things you can do for wildlife at home – plant some bee and butterfly attracting plants in your garden – even if they are for next year!

  • Pray for wisdom about ways you can reflect God’s image in your own life in relation to other people in the wider world

  • Read the Plant-based diet; A Christian option by Mia Smith to help you look at the theological background to the ethical questions around plant based diets.  Maybe start meat free Mondays…

Medium term

Medium Term – I thought I had got this but I need a little more prayer and reflection…

  • Pray about how you can amend your dietary habits to look at eating less meat and more organic and sustainably sourced produce – maybe just start with free range eggs

  • Research ways of reducing use of pesticides in the garden

  • Act on the climate crisis through the prayer and action to tackle injustice related to the climate emergency Reboot – act on the climate crisis – Tearfund

Longer Term – I will get to this!

  • Changing diet for me is a longer term commitment however I will continue to pray for guidance and discernment in choices

  • If this topic area that has really ignited your interest then perhaps familiarise yourself with the Final Report - The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)  - This independent review calls for changes in how we think, act and measure economic success to protect and enhance our prosperity and the natural world. Grounded in a deep understanding of ecosystem processes and how they are affected by economic activity, the new framework presented by the Review sets out how we should account for Nature in economics and decision-making.  There is an abridged version / headline message version.