Flourish
We care for creation and all God's gifts
The universe is an expression of God’s loving, creative nature.
Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command!
(Psalm 148:7-8)
We are part of the earth as well as the universe, lovingly woven from the same fabric.
We are currently in a climate emergency requiring urgent action, but the good news is that by learning about God’s love for creation and our place within it, we can learn to take care of the world we live in.
"I asked everyone in the church service which was their ‘home station’. One young girl was the only one to choose ‘flourish’. I challenged the whole church to support her and learn from her. Different people can take the lead in different areas, but we all have to be in it together.”
As Christians, we believe that God doesn’t just promise life, but life in all its fullness. We want all of God’s created Kingdom not just to survive but to flourish. God created not just humans, but every animal and plant. It’s only by recognising that we are part of creation and caring for the world around us that all creation can flourish.
Sprowston Methodist Church, in the North of Norwich, has a vision to use its grounds and garden for the local community – providing a space for connection with nature, a vegetable bank and opportunities to meet new people.
Pause for thought
What would you do about caring for creation if you knew you couldn’t fail?
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Simple things to try
- Find out about climate change and how you can adjust your lifestyle to help.
- Grow something – take care of a little plant.
- Take action, as individuals and communities, to help all of creation to flourish. The Tea & PV project in the Yorkshire North & East Methodist District has seen solar panels, that convert light into electricity, installed on churches across the area.
- Find out your carbon footprint and how you can reduce your impact using a carbon footprint calculator such as footprintr.me.
- Run a Bible study focusing on creation care.
- Climate change disproportionately affects the poorest people in the world. Reducing the impact we have on the environment not only benefits the planet but also helps to challenge injustice. Explore the Olive Agenda, connecting environmental concerns with challenging racial injustice.
- Take part in the Net Zero in my Neighbourhood campaign. Check out resources from the Property Team and speak with Dr Hamish Leese for more information.
- The Joint Public Issues Team (JPIT) provide some excellent resources with information and practical advice.
- Listen to a Taketime meditation based on Matthew 25:14-30: Accountability to a returning master.