Creation Care

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.— Romans 12:2

In Spring 2023, the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church launched an initiative to explore the question: How are we, as people of faith, called to care for God’s good and awesome creation?

Library

The following titles have been acquired by the BRPC Library:

  • Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World, Katherine Hayhoe (2021)
  • “L” is for Lifestyle: Christian Living that Doesn’t Cost the Earth, Ruth Valerio (2004) (funded by the Worship and Music Council)
  • Caring for Our Planet, Traveling Library #018

Con-spiring Together (Feb 5, 2023)

Dr. Laurel Kearns, Associate Professor of Sociology, Religion and Environmental Studies at Drew Theological School, was our keynote speaker.

Living Simply & Justly (Mar 19)

We learned that “consumerism” was fostered to expand the economy, is counter to our values and has a negative impact on the environment.

Resources used for the program:

Additional resources identified during the program:

Raritan Headwaters Association Stream Cleanup (Apr 15)

Man standing in a stream holding a trash bag and picking up trash

The BRPC Youth and Young Adult Council participated in this project to apply their faith by caring for an important local river of living waters. “We sometimes think that our small contribution does nothing to help the environment, but that thinking couldn’t be more wrong.” –Toby Montgomery, Director of Ministries to Youth, Young Adults, and their Families

Learn more https://www.raritanheadwaters.org/

Creation Care Worship Service (Apr 30)

A multi-generational, Scripture-based, music-filled celebration of God’s creation and contemplation of our role as stewards. Click for more information or to view the worship service.

Regenerative Living (Apr 30)

One way to care for creation is by giving back to the earth through horticultural and agricultural practices.

Click to learn more:

Additional resources:

Gardens and other spaces (May 21)

We learned more about how to care for our planet during a live demonstration during Fellowship hour on native plants by the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Somerset County.

Click to view the presentation slides from this event.

The Theology of Food (May 25)

We learned about making food choices that align with our values. The event included a cooking demonstration by Ellen Petrosino, RD.

Following is a production of the Creation Care Collective. Click to view the video.

Additional resources:

Guide to Going Green at Home

Some young people from Bay Minette, AL researching sustainability as part of an environmental science program contacted us to say they found this webpage and thought it was useful to them. They contributed this link as an additional resource for us:

Thank you to Ms. Platt, Jessica, Jocelyn, Adam, and Madalyn.