This past week was Earth Day – April 22nd.

The first Earth Day was in 1970 and was established as a day to honour the earth and celebrate peace.

In 1984, the Anglican Communion adopted the 4 marks of mission – the fruits of the Church when it is living out God’s mission in the world. They have become a powerful part of the baptismal covenant (pgs. 158-159 of the BAS – the green prayer book).

In 1990, a 5th mark was added. During Holy Baptism, candidates are now asked,

“will you strive to safeguard the integrity of God’s creation, and respect, sustain and renew the life of the Earth?

The response is, “I will with God’s help.”

Sometimes, churches are accused of jumping on trends, of changing to go along with the times. I think that this is an uncharitable thought.  

The same might have been said for the abolition of slavery.

Churches, including our own, have prayerfully discerned that creation care is fundamental to what it means to be a Christian. And though the emphasis might be recent, we can see in the scriptures and in the Christian tradition the long history of deep reverence that we are called to have for the natural world; we can hear the imperative to steward and care for what God has made and called good.

Bless Earth day. Bless the environmental movement, both inside and outside of the Church. It is holy work. It is gospel work.

May we participate in this gospel work, bearing the fruits of the Church living out God’s mission, and say, “I will with God’s help!”

Thanks be to God!

CG+