From the Editor:
Christians have always had to discern how Christian identity is embodied — expressed in how we live in the physical world. (Often the question has not been asked explicitly.) And for so long groups have found themselves with different views about what must be done in order to act. Frequently the opportunity lies in recognizing and benefiting from differences in peoples’ approaches.

Today this is especially true of the variety of ways to approach living out a Christian vocation for environmental stewardship and justice, where the only “right” way involves a little of everything! Some parishes first build community and then define projects; others do it in the reverse. Many begin by understanding Scriptural mandates. Others study to document needs; others steward physical resources (energy, water, paper) they use.

The kinds of support needed by individuals’ to explore their own vocation as stewards and doers of justice also varies. Some find a profound entry through prayer and meditation. Some act to connect stewardship of nature with well-being of human communities in urban areas. Others’ experiences in the natural world help them understand their place in God’s created order.

In 2003 the Diocesan Committee on Faith and Environment will continue to recognize the multi-faceted call to learn, discern and serve Creation.
- Oracle will highlight opportunities for the complementary tasks of reflecting, learning, acting and celebrating.
- The Diocesan Committee on Faith and Environment will provide Deaneries with copies of the key resources.
- Oracle urges parishes and individuals to the CFE website and Oracle to share learning and opportunities, because individuals and parishes will continue offering leadership in parishes and communities.
Celebration
The Jan. 23's edition of the Christian Science Monitor includes an article about the interfaith power and light movement across the country, including a big emphasis on Massachusetts Interfaith Power & light (MIP&L). "The interfaith power and light movement, now active in about a dozen states, aims to help congregations by providing ready access to technical services for efficiency upgrades; information on funding resources; and a means for purchasing solar, wind, or landfill gas power," explains the article. The article quotes many local MIP&L lay leaders and clergy - see it for yourself at:
http://www.csmonitor.com

Reflection
As of this writing, about 40 people were expected to attend a day-long retreat, "Reclaiming the Sacredness of Creation," to be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, Concord, on February 1. Led by the Rev. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas, the retreat's plan includes periods of silend prayer and guided meditation, presentations on the themes of creation, crucifixion, and resurrection, and sacred dance. It will end with a ritual of commissioning, sending forth those who attend as healers of the earth.

"The environmental crisis is not only a political or economic crisis," Margaret Bullitt-Jonas observed. "It is also a spiritual crisis. For one thing, it involves questions of identity. Humanity's troubled relationship with the natural world shows that we have forgotten who we are. Society tells us that we are consumers and that our purpose in life is mainly to buy and sell, gobbling up the resources of the earth. If we treated another human being the way we treat the earth, we'd be arrested for murder, robbery, and rape. But Scripture tells us that we are creatures made in the image of God. We are part of the web of life and our first calling by God is to be the caretakers of creation.

There is a larger, divine reality to which we belong and to which we are accountable. At a time of potentially catastrophic environmental degradation, we need to claim the deepest truths of our faith and to live out our holy calling to care for the earth."

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