To Serve and Guard the Earth

© 2010 by Beth Bojarski. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.morehouseeducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

A Note to the ReAdeRTo Serve and Guard the Earth: God’s Creation Story and Our Environmental Concerns

By Beth Bojarski

To Serve and Guard the Earth is a practical parish or small-group resource suitable for High School groups and Adults (its 6 sessions make it also suitable for Lenten use) that connects the growing Christian environmental concern with the theology of creation in Genesis. It not only provides

the participants with a greater understanding of the scriptural accounts of creation and the environmental problems facing us today, but also encourages the participants to make practical applications to change their everyday lives and enhance important environmental values.

The resource is divided into six sessions related to the 7 days of creation (session 2 combines Genesis days 2 and 4) and environmental concerns related to the days.Session 1: Day 1—Light / energy consumption, outdoor light pollutionSession 2: Days 2/4—Sea & Sky / potable water, air pollution, climate changeSession 3: Day 3—Land & Plants / deforestation, industrialization, waste managementSession 4: Day 5—Birds & Fish/ habitat destruction, species extinctionSession 5: Day 6—Land Creatures / consumption & greed, human disparity, overpopulationSession 6: Day 7—Rest & Reflection / being content with life, the importance of rest

Each of the six sessions in To Serve and Guard the Earth includes several components, all of which are available when you download the resource. Reproduce them as you need to for your group. The components are the:

Leader GuideThe Leader Guide includes everything you need to facilitate the session: Session Preview, Opening Activities, Exploration Activities, Additional optional activities, and Closing Activities.

Participant handoutEach week, the reproducible Participant Handout encourages participants to prepare at home to be ready to discuss more intelligently the scripture readings and related environmental concerns found in each session. Includes Scripture passages, Scripture Background, Environmental Concerns Background and Suggestions for What to Do This Week.

To Serve and Guard the Earth is a downloadable product, and all materials may be reproduced by the purchasing church only for use with their congregation. To purchase, visit www.churchpublishing.org. Pay one price for the study and reproduce the materials you need. Price: $49.95

Beth Bojarski, currently works as Diocesan Youth Director for the Episcopal Diocese of Kentucky. She holds a Master in Theological Studies from Virginia Theological Seminary and a Master in Outdoor and Environmental Education from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Cortland.

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ouR eNviRoNmeNtAL ChALLeNGe

I believe there is an environmental crisis for several reasons. In addition, I believe that the environmental crisis is also the church’s problem—or at least one of them. This does not take responsibility off of social or government institutions or individuals and families outside the church, but as a Christian people, it is of utmost importance that the environmental crisis also be our concern.

From an ecological perspective, it is clear to me that ecosystems and species are suffering as a result of global temperature change, extreme pollution and human use and abuse of the environment. Sure it is true that the earth has the ability to heal itself, to adapt to the conditions forced upon it; but over time repeated mistreatment wears away this resiliency. Deforestation, the deficiency of potable water, urban sprawl, climate change and energy shortages are real problems that the earth community is facing, and that earth community includes humanity. Many of these problems come from repeated offenses that don’t allow ecosystems to pick themselves up and dust themselves off before the next wave of overuse and abuse begins.

I think that there are two main reasons why Christians churches are in a particularly good spot for developing an environmental ethic that can begin changing the direction of the environmental crisis. First, environmental or creation care constitutes God’s original purpose for humanity. The authors of Genesis are clear—be guardians of the earth. Tend and till it, serve and guard it.

Secondly, echoing the familiar slogan we hear so often, we might ask “What would Jesus do?” Jesus was a servant—a poor, wayfaring man whose love and concern had no limits. So as Christians, we are called to follow his example and do the same—to look beyond the material, the consumerism of our day, and begin asking this simple question of ourselves. What we need and what we want are often two very different things. Taking only what we need may very well be the answer to the problem and the beginning of living more simply.

Not only do Christian communities assume environmental obligations based on the Genesis narrative and on their desire to follow Jesus’ example, but Christian communities can also have immense impact on their surroundings. Instituting change on behalf of the environment beginning with those in the pews will make a difference and the ripple effect on others might just be astonishing.

But change takes time! And the relationship between humanity and the entirety of creation is built not on individual events or actions, but on a way of thinking that has been developed over the centuries. In the same way that it takes time to change the course of a huge ship or to fall in love with another person, change—repentance, metanoia—is organic and evolutionary and takes lots of time, energy and thoughtfulness.

“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find resources of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.”

—Rachel Carson (1907-1964)

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Like most grassroots movements, it is likely that in churches and institutions only a handful of people will at first embrace the task at hand related to the environmental crisis. This is a huge load for those few to carry. Teaching by example, having conversations with friends and family and making small changes that minimize environmental impact are all important. But ultimately if the systemic change is to occur in a way that will last, the corporate body really must be a part of it. As an entire people we have done harm over time to the earth. Metanoia—that true change of heart and repentance—will only make a systemic impact if all God’s people are involved. It is a lot of work, but the evidence is there and the road is at least beginning to be paved for us.

The good news in all of this is that there are great strides being made already. In addition to the more academic work being done by theologians, there are churches, dioceses and denominations stepping up to get involved and to work for environmental awareness and change.

For Christian communities, there are two levels of involvement for responding to the environmental crisis. The first is immediate: begin by making a commitment to change one’s own actions. This change can come in the form of a simpler lifestyle one decision at a time or a commitment to spend time reading about the environment. Over time these changes will become natural and you might even wonder what life was like before making them. Also over time, the changes made are likely to rub off on others.

The second level demands a longer time commitment and might prove more challenging. It is the shift from tending and tilling to serving and guarding and it addresses the systemic problem of the environmental crisis, not just those episodic problems that arise. This requires that we learn the earth story, ask the hard questions that arise from it and work toward systemic change in our own life and the life of our family, society and church. Acceptance of one’s role in the historical destruction—our participation in the ignorance, busy-ness, greed and apathy that disorders our world—might just lead to a change of heart—to genuine metanoia.

The environmental crisis facing the earth community is evident in both systemic and episodic problems wreaking havoc on entire ecosystems, individual species and on humanity—particularly the poor and oppressed. Because of the church’s acceptance of the biblical mandate to tend/guard and till/serve the earth, its challenge to follow Jesus’ example to care for those less fortunate than ourselves and its responsibility to the increased awareness of God’s presence in creation, the church must respond to the current environmental crisis. While this is a huge task, it is surmountable. By learning the story, owning our own contribution to the environmental crisis and the contributions of our ancestors and working toward immediate and systemic change, the church can make a difference.

“When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe.”

—John Muir (1838-1914)

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SeSSioN Guide

opening Activities (10 minutes)

Reading the Scriptures If possible, read the passage in darkness or ask participants to close their eyes. Read aloud or invite a participant to read aloud Genesis 1:1-5 using a Bible or the Participant Handout for Session 1. After time for quiet reflection, ask:

As you listened to the description of the first day of creation, in your •imagination what did you hear, see, smell, taste or touch?In our culture, how are light and dark used figuratively—not literally? •What connotations with these words are positive? Which are negative?•

Prayer After the discussion, invite the group to pray. Begin with an invitation like “Let us pray” or “The Lord be with you.” Then pray this prayer from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer, p. 827:

Almighty and everlasting God, you made the universe with all its marvelous order, its atoms, worlds, and galaxies, and the infinite complexity of living creatures: Grant that, as we probe the mysteries of your creation, we may come to know you more truly, and more surely fulfill our role in your eternal purpose; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Note: If you wish, in any session you may substitute for the opening or the closing prayer one of the alternate environmental prayers found on the reproducible handout Some Environmental Prayers.

Check-in It is important to welcome participants and to provide some time for personal introductions. If the group is large (more than 12 people), divide it into smaller groups (about 6-8 per group). Invite each participant in the group(s) to share their name and a little bit about why they are interested in this study.

Ask them to keep their sharing to a few sentences to allow time for others to speak and for the material to be covered. To close, introduce yourself and share your interest in the study. Remember—our personal story is integral to understanding and opens up the opportunity for relationship building and respect.

Notes

Use name tags if the group members don’t know each other.

Or use one of the alternate prayers from the Environmental Prayers handout.

Be aware of the time and keep the sharing brief.

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exploration Activities (30-40 minutes)

Scripture (20-25 minutes)Break the group into smaller groups of 3-4 participants. Provide each group with at least one Bible, some scrap paper and a pen or pencil. Give each group a copy of the pre-printed Bible reference lists and questions (found on the reproducible handout Scripture Questions for Small Groups). Explain that each group will have a set of Bible references and one or two specific questions to consider (some groups may have the same as others depending on group size).

Allow 8-10 minutes for groups to look up their verses and reflect on the questions. Encourage them to read a little before and after the specific verses to help with context. Tell the groups that they will have the opportunity to share their verses and findings with the large group at the end of the given time. Here are the questions each group will explore and discuss.

Group 1: Gospels ( John 8:12 and 9:5; matthew 5:16)How do you interpret these references to light and darkness in the gospels? •What does it mean to “let your light shine” or that Jesus is the light? •Can you think of any connections between the light in these passages and •the light created on the first day of creation?

Group 2: the Letters (ephesians 5:8-14a; 1 John 1:5-7, 2:9-11)What does it mean to live in the light? •How should one do this? •How might you do this better? •Can you think of any connections between the light in these passages and •the light created on the first day of creation?

Group 3: Psalms (Psalm 139:11-12; 119:105)What is the light that each of these psalms is referring to? •Can you think of any connections between the light in these passages and •the light created on the first day of creation?

Call the large group back together and invite participants to share their verses and reflections.

environmental Concerns (10-15 minutes)Using the information in the Participant Handout for Session 1, briefly review the description of the problems of energy consumption and light pollution. This might be done best and will be more interactive if you ask participants to explain their understanding of the issues and problems. Remember to connect these problems with day one of the creation story. Ask:

What action steps can you do in the short and the long-term to be more •mindful of that which God provided on day one of creation? What can we as a parish do?•

Notes

Use the handout Scripture Questions for Small Groups.

Use the Participant Handout for Session 1 for background.


What Can You do?While there are many different action steps that one can implement to lessen one’s energy use and involvement in the problem of light pollution, simply acknowledging your involvement and taking stock in your own use is a great start.

Begin with smaller steps toward change such as:To determine the environmental impact of your activities, use one or more •of the ecological footprint calculators found at www.ecobusinesslinks.com/ecological_footprint_calculator.htm Take the Greenfaith Ecological Footprint Quiz at • www.greenfaith.org/spirit/quiz.htmlTurn off lights when not in use.•Change your light bulbs to Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFL) that last •longer and are much more energy efficient (remember: these bulbs must be recycled, which can be done through some municipalities or home stores where they are sold).Turn down the thermostat one or two degrees in winter and up a couple •degrees in summer.Install a timer on your thermostat. Turn the heat down during the daytime •and nighttime while you are out or sleeping.Walk or bike whenever possible rather than driving; car pool or take public •transportation; or combine trips to minimize the need to drive.Turn off appliances when not in use. A toaster or cell phone charger left •plugged in creates a circuit that continues to draw electricity. Using power strips can be helpful because they are often easily accessible and close a circuit just as unplugging does.Ask your energy company if you can purchase •wind or solar energy. Most companies have this as an option.Install outdoor lighting that reduces light •pollution by directing light at a particular subject or toward the ground.

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“More and more of us are listening for the silent alarm, stopping in our tracks, wishing to salvage the parts of this earth we haven’t yet wrecked.”

—Barbara Kingsolver Small Wonder

Design

To Serve and Guard the Earth