Creation Care: What difference can we make?
Steph Bryant

1. A Purpose for everyone

We are made in God’s image for a purpose: “to oversee his creation as God’s partners and representatives in the world”.

2. ... that looks different for everyone
We’re all different. So working out what to do to care for the environment is really all about asking ‘who am I?’ ‘What do I have in my hands?’ and ‘how do I use that well’?

How can we do that without getting overwhelmed by the options?

3. Clue Up
With just a little time, it is possible to find simple practical actions that will make a big difference. This can help us to use our time and energy wisely.
Project Drawdown
Some of the top 10 solutions:
- Reduced Food Waste
- Health and Education
- Plant-rich Diets
- Renewable Energy Technologies
- LED Lighting (top 20, but super easy!)

3. Start Exploring

We’re all different, find the things that work with what you currently have in your hand and take the next little step. Stretch yourself, make an effort, but there’s no reason that you can’t have fun with this!

4. Will it really make a difference?
The more people who choose to use their unique voice and vote wisely to care for creation, the bigger the impact will be.
Bringing your life and lifestyle in line with God’s plans for you really will make a difference to the planet.

5. Align with God's plans
This isn’t about shame or guilt. God’s grace is enough for us. But God’s love and grace aren’t there so that we can carry on just as we are.God’s love and grace inspire change and action

6. Let God free you from fear and hopelessness
Invite God in, listen to his guidance, and act to see his Kingdom come:
Clue up;
Start Exploring;
And have fun putting some practical steps into action!

IDEAS TO GET YOU STARTED
See below for some links to get you started.


Project Drawdown
A potentially helpful starting point for weighing up which practical changes might have the greatest impact. (To see them ranked with the highest impact at the top click twice on ‘Scenario 1’ or ‘Scenario 2’) https://drawdown.org/solutions/table-of-solutions

Plant-Rich Diets - Meat Free Mondays
Inspiration, encouragement, and heaps of recipes to get started -
https://www.meatfreemondays.com/?gclid=CjwKCAiAsaOBBhA4EiwAo0_AnI43BVwWt0nu-mODZBu_-f6JP8hq2jsvNkBF5V6X_Ei8Vd6dXWHH2hoCdVwQAvD_BwE

Health and Education - Family Environmental Activities
The Woodland Trust’s site for environmental education, has lots of fun, hands on activities that can encourage children to enjoy and delight in nature and consider ways to care for the planet e.g. bug houses, edible treats for birds etc. - http://www.treetoolsforschools.org.uk/categorymenu/?cat=activities

Reducing food waste
A few ideas and options to explore - https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-reduce-food-waste

Political Ideas
Vote for Policies survey. Useful when it comes to elections to work out who to vote for in a somewhat more informed, less overwhelmed way - https://voteforpolicies.org.uk/ -
A couple of example letters for MP’s about aspects of the environment.
https://www.theclimatecoalition.org/write-to-your-mp
https://www.hftf.org.uk/general-mp-letter
Quick link to find the contact details of the relevant political figures - https://members.parliament.uk/members/commons

Renewable Energy Suppliers
Potentially helpful review from mid-2020 - https://www.t3.com/features/best-green-energy-supplier
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For more ideas and support, find communities of like-minded people also trying to love God’s planet better than ever before, e.g. Wild Christian (A Rocha initiative) https://arocha.org.uk/wildchristian/ and C3’s EcoChurch Facebook group

Questions:

1. What do you like to look at in creation? Think big and small. What does it tell you about God?

2. What can you do to deliberately connect with nature? How will you make sure you do it?

3. Can you identify any passages in the Bible, others that those shared on Sunday, that are relevant to the theme of creation and mental wellbeing?

4. Do you have any stories to tell of creation having a positive effect on your mental wellbeing?

5. Some people might not be convinced that time in nature can be good for their mental wellbeing. What would you say or do to persuade them otherwise?