It has been horrifying to watch the scenes coming from the west coast of fires, perpetually orange skies, and smoke everywhere. At least 35 people have died, thousands have evacuated, everyone is facing poor air quality, and millions of acres have burned. Though wildfires and polluted air are not new to those living in California and elsewhere, scientists agree that climate change has made the situation much worse.
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| Photo by Michael Held on Unsplash |
As people of faith, we have a unique call to care for creation and care for the vulnerable. Both are God's good creation; both are meant to live in relationship, interconnectedness, and mutuality. While our individual choices and actions that show love and care for creation and neighbor are important, we are also mindful that there are big, systemic issues at play. Yes, our own individual actions of recycling or being mindful of our consumption or giving to charity make a difference. And, perhaps more important are the ways we use our voice and vote to ask that care for creation and care for the vulnerable be lifted up as priorities for our local, state, and federal governments.
This week's worship service is climate and creation-care focused, provided by the group Lutherans Restoring Creation. I am excited for us to hear this week's lectionary texts through the lens of creation care, and also to experience the beautiful diversity of leaders across the ELCA. I hope you'll join us!
Bonus resources:
- Your donation to Lutheran Disaster Response will be used 100% to assist those affected by wildfires, until the response is complete.
- I watched this TED Talk called "The Real Risk of Forgiveness - And Why It's Worth It" as part of my sermon prep last week, and commend it to you. Very powerful!
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