Connection & Climate Care

Dear friends and members of St. Matt’s,

What a strange week it’s been watching the sky change colors. The smoke from Canada arrived, announcing the death of the trees. As if it’s waving to us, begging us to pay attention to the damage we’ve done to the earth that God has created. Surely none of us want to live like this permanently, staying inside, worrying about toxic air. If nothing else, it certainly reminds us how connected we are – that a problem in one place really is a problem for all of us. Yesterday, I was trying to explain to my daughter why we couldn’t go to the playground, and as I explained that there was smoke in the air, she looked at me very solemnly and said,Clean it? Would that we could. But I do think we’ve heard from quite a lot of folks in the last 48 hours, some scientists, some reporters, politicians, and pundits about the fact that this is a sign that we continue to damage the planet. And that we need to pay attention now. To do what we can now before it gets worse.

In the Episcopal Church, we’ve begun to focus more consistently on climate care in the last decade. Some of this has been related to the Millennium Development Goals and our commitment to the dignity of every human being. Some of it arises from a desire to see all people live the abundant life Jesus promises us. And some of it arises from a sense of reverence and love for this fragile earth, our island home. All life here was created by God for fullness, for goodness. And the story in Genesis tells us that all of creation was entrusted to us. That we might care for it, grow it, share it, revel in it, give thanks for it, and see that the abundant resources are distributed and used fairly.

As we continue to wait for the smoke to clear, I wonder if you might consider what you can do today, this week, to move yourself and your life into a more climate-caring place. It’s true that it’s a massive, multi-pronged, complicated problem. And it’s also true, as it so often is in life, that we each have a role to play and a responsibility. Each one of us can make a difference, even if it feels small. And in the wisdom of our Jewish siblings,you are not obligated to complete the work, neither are you entitled to abandon it.

I hope that despite the smoke, you’ve been able to find your joy this week. And I look forward to seeing you on Sunday as we welcome Bishop Curry, celebrate Confirmation & Reception, and learn together about the ministry and good work of Swords to Plowshares. Until then, God loves you. And so do I.

Faithfully,

–Marissa +