Advocating for Climate and Our Vocation in Christ

At the end of The Episcopal Church’s 2022 General Convention, the House of Bishops issued a final statement “naming the climate crisis as the overarching issue that affects all the other issues of social justice.”  

Last fall, several dozen interfaith participants and I rallied outside the County Building in San Diego, calling for considerations in the Climate Plan that would ensure a healthier environment.  Hand delivering our concerns gave me a sense of fulfilling that vocation referenced by the Bishops:

“We, God’s faithful, are called to share the hope that will empower change. Many of God’s people – especially our children – are in despair as they observe the frightening shifts in our environmental narrative. The risen Christ continues to send us out to proclaim the Gospel to the whole of Creation (Mark 16:15). Like Mary, we go out to all proclaiming God’s love in deed and word. It is our work to lead the way for change, to model good stewardship, and to move forward with courage and purpose.”

During this Season of Creation, I want to encourage you to advocate for meaningful city, state, and federal policy change, “fundamentally transforming our way of life … from one centered on self to one centered on the flourishing of the whole creation…. [I]n these ways …we can follow Jesus’ call to ‘preach good news to the creation.’ (Mark 16: 15)”  Here are three easy ways you can advocate for God’s Creation:

1. What does The Episcopal Church call us to do? 

We can take action as Jesus’s disciples may have done had they lived in these times. TEC Office of Government Relations provides a plethora of resources to make our voices heard in Congress and to share what we learn and the results of our legislative contacts with others in our congregations: https://www.episcopalchurch.org/ministries/office-government-relations/advocacy-resources/ 

2. How can we invite our neighbors to become empowered? 

• Get out the vote.  Interfaith Power and Light Faith Climate Justice Voter: https://www.faithclimatejusticevoter.org/ 
• Remind folks about their right – and responsibility – to vote. Write letters to voters: https://votefwd.org/
• Cultivate informed neighbors. Civic Engagement for families: https://www.icivics.org/family
• Take it a step further. Civity engages people to build community: https://www.civity.org/ 

3. Pray for the work and the common good. 

Almighty God our heavenly Father, you declare your glory and show forth your handiwork in the heavens and on the earth: Deliver us in our various occupations from the service of self alone, that we may do the work you give us to do in truth and beauty and for the common good; for the sake of him who came among us as one who serves, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.