The Environment and Mission
9th July 2006, Parish Communion
Lynda to begin the dialogue:
Nigel, the focus of our service today is Environment and Mission -- words that perhaps don't often go together in people's minds. I understand that the Anglican Church has developed 5 statements or 'marks of mission' to help define its purpose in today's world and the 5th mark of mission is a commitment to: " strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth." This commitment seems very appropriate and timely because as we watch television or read the paper or even just look around our own neighbourhood we can't ignore the crisis facing our planet -- pollution of earth, air and water, threats to plant and animal species, risk of global warming and climate change, etc. As Christians we know that the gospel is one of hope, reconciliation and renewal; but as we look around us at the damage being done to the planet, much of which is of our own making, from a human perspective it's easy to be despondent; we feel powerless in the face of overwhelming problems. Can the Bible offer us a theological perspective on this dilemma? For example, can you help us draw any positive or hopeful messages from our readings today?
Nigel to respond (based on Epistle = 2 Cor 12, 2-10; Gospel = Mark 6: 45-52):
St Paul wonders if his experience was out of the body or not, but, either way, that experience has enabled him to deal creatively with very bodily and earthly experiences such as his thorn in the flesh and other hardships. We may also feel downcast at times with all this gloomy environmental doom predicted, but our faith can help us to respond with enthusiasm.
Today's Gospel is preceded by the feeding of the five thousand. In it Jesus provides for the physical needs of all these people, demonstrating in this practical way that God does care and provide and that God's creation is life-giving. If we really believed that, we would have no need to hoard and to grab things for ourselves. The greed begotten by fear is the cause of most of our environmental damage.
Jesus then sets the disciples the test that we hear in the Gospel. When things get stormy, will the disciples be able to retain this faith in a beneficent providence? Of course, as the wind gets up so their hearts become downcast. Needless to say, although they feel abandoned, they have not been left alone, as Jesus is walking by. This is the same Jesus who stilled the storm in their previous boat trip only a few days before. After that experience they had asked themselves who Jesus could be as even the wind and sea obeyed him, recollecting the divine authority over these chaotic forces from the start of the creative process. No wonder Jesus encourages the disciples not to fear.
As the disciples, we often fear. Jesus' command to us is the same: 'It is I, do not be afraid.' This I find really encouraging. God in Jesus can handle the creation going awry, so we need not fear, and not fearing, we can join the work of God in redeeming creation from the mess humans make of it.
If I'm right, Lynda, what do you think Jesus is giving us the capacity to do today, with all the stormy problems we and our generation faces?
Lynda to continue with following response:
I suppose I've always been struck by how often Jesus engaged with people wherever they happened to be on their journey through life; he met with them when they were hungry on a hillside or frightened in a storm. And he often encouraged them to make changes that might seem small but that would make a real and immediate difference to themselves and those around them. I think the Christian faith provides justification for taking small steps in our everyday living and we can look at this from 2 angles. Firstly, it's worth remembering that in God's economy nothing that is good -- however small it is - is ever lost or wasted; in the light of eternity it has infinite and everlasting value. Secondly, it seems that God often works more in the small things than in the big things; we can see this principle at work in the miracle of the loaves and fishes, and even in Jesus himself -- the life, death and resurrection of a single human being had a profound effect on all things for all time. Perhaps as Christians we should focus more on the spiritual value of small things - rather than seeking grand gestures or setting ourselves unrealistic goals? So when it comes to environmental matters the small commitments we choose to make as individuals and households have both a spiritual and a practical value : choosing to sort our paper, glass and plastic for recycling; remembering to turn off that light or tap; deciding to walk or cycle instead of using the car; opting to buy fairly traded, or locally grown, or less packaged products. Every positive change we make in attitude and behaviour, however small, is worth making and it can help us move towards a more spiritual as well as a more sustainable lifestyle. So far, Nigel, I've been thinking at the individual, personal level, or maybe in terms of our own families and households. Do you think this principle can be translated onto a larger scale -- for example, into the family that is the local church?
Nigel to respond (expanding on what's possible/achievable at the local church level?):
Of course, of course! Let me tell you a few stories to illustrate a great variety of small steps other churches are taking in the diocese. Near where I live, one church has started an eco-group, which is a sort of weight-watchers for greening families. They share their aspirations, their achievements and their failures in living more lightly on the Earth. Nearby another church has installed swift nest boxes in their tower as these birds are declining, partly for lack of nest space. They have to advertise these nest boxes by playing swift calls on a taperecorder so that next year hopefully returning swifts will remember the boxes as potential nest-sites. A third church has started a series of nature walks so that people will be more appreciative and knowledgeable about the natural world and this may lead to some practical nature conservation. Yet another church has started an after-school club for their church primary school. This combines both the natural history and the environmental aspects. It aims to educate and enthuse the children, and through them their parents. It will also strengthen the links between the church, school and families. As I see it, there are lots of possibilities for a local church. It all depends on opportunities, on the gifts of members and on the call of God.
So Lynda, if we think about the local church family here at St Andrew's in Chesterton, what's already going on and how might it develop in the future?
Lynda to respond:
It's important to recognise that a concern for environmental matters is not new at St Andrew's; there are many people who care deeply and engage actively in various ways, such as the Group which for several years has looked after our churchyard -- a designated City Wildlife Site. But this year the PCC decided it would be good to address the issues in a more focused way and my role as the new'green officer' is to help make that possible. So we've been giving attention to areas such as our recycling policy and facilities, to our cooperation with the City Council for managing the churchyard, and to raising awareness about how we can all live more lightly in our world and be true stewards of God's creation. As we think and pray about these issues together and as we take small but positive steps forward, I feel sure that this can be a way of engaging with our local neighbourhood and sharing God's grace and love with the wider community. This is especially important when you consider the growing housing development around St Andrews and the individuals and families who will shortly be joining our local community. So that's where we are at the moment. Can you suggest any other ideas for us to consider and maybe explore over time?
Nigel to respond and close:
I can indeed! But I am going to keep these for the workshop. This is not just a cliff-hanger to draw you all to the workshop after coffee, but it is also a matter of being realistic about the detail I can give in a sermon.
I would end with this thought. I believe that the Fifth Mark of Mission of caring for God's creation is thoroughly integrated with the other four marks. If we publicise what we are doing to care for the environment, so others about will give more credence to the rest of the Gospel message we proclaim. They may also join in and work with us, sharing in the coming of God's Kingdom and, maybe, coming to share in the spiritual aspect of the church as well.