The
Presbyterian Church in Canada is a branch of the global 'Reformed' branch of
the Christian Church. Its name speaks of its form of governance, a community
led by 'presbyters' (in the original Greek of the New Testament, 'elders'
in English) who are elected by the people themselves. Its programmes and
policies reflect current concerns of faith and life, including climate justice.
Our contemporary Statement of Faith is called Living Faith - its second chapter
begins
2.1.1. The living God is Lord,
Creator of all, Sustainer and Ruler of the universe.
and continues with two paragraphs entitled 'Our Care for the World'
2.4.1 Though life is a gift from God,
human life depends upon the created world.
Our care for the world must reflect God's care.
We are not owners, but stewards of God's good earth.
Concerned with the well-being of all of life
we welcome the truths and insights
of all human skill and science
about the world and the universe.
2.4.2 Our stewardship calls us
to explore ways of love and justice
in respecting God's creation
and in seeking its responsible use
for the common good.
www.presbyterian.ca/?wpdmdl=272
Climate justice is not only a matter of physical survival but of spiritual integrity - we centre our lives in God, whom we acknowledge as Creator, and respecting the creation is an integral component of honouring the Creator. One of the most recent initiatives at the national level has been to include a carbon audit as part of the national General Assembly of June 2014. Various dimensions of worship and action focusing upon care of creation can be found at www.presbyterian.ca/justice/caring-for-creation/
Local congregations such as St. Andrew's in Kingston continue to seek out ways to allow their faith to shape their life, from study groups and gestures like energy audits of church buildings and subsequent improvements in heating and lighting systems to supporting coalitions and groups in the wider community advocating for climate justice.
The Presbyterian Church in Canada is also a founding member of the Canadian ecumenical social justice coalition known as KAIROS, through which significant study and action in the realm of climate justice is accomplished. A current emphasis, for example, is upon Watershed Discipleship, a program in which participants identify the major ecological justice issues affecting where they live, make the connections with Indigenous rights struggles, and explore how they are part of larger Canadian and global struggles for justice. It blends biblical and theological reflection with hands-on environmental experience and social analysis. http://www.kairoscanada.org/sustainability/watershed-discipleship/
The Rev. Dr. Andrew Johnston
www.standrewskingston.org
The Presbyterian Church in Canada
2.1.1. The living God is Lord,
Creator of all, Sustainer and Ruler of the universe.
and continues with two paragraphs entitled 'Our Care for the World'
2.4.1 Though life is a gift from God,
human life depends upon the created world.
Our care for the world must reflect God's care.
We are not owners, but stewards of God's good earth.
Concerned with the well-being of all of life
we welcome the truths and insights
of all human skill and science
about the world and the universe.
2.4.2 Our stewardship calls us
to explore ways of love and justice
in respecting God's creation
and in seeking its responsible use
for the common good.
www.presbyterian.ca/?wpdmdl=272
Climate justice is not only a matter of physical survival but of spiritual integrity - we centre our lives in God, whom we acknowledge as Creator, and respecting the creation is an integral component of honouring the Creator. One of the most recent initiatives at the national level has been to include a carbon audit as part of the national General Assembly of June 2014. Various dimensions of worship and action focusing upon care of creation can be found at www.presbyterian.ca/justice/caring-for-creation/
Local congregations such as St. Andrew's in Kingston continue to seek out ways to allow their faith to shape their life, from study groups and gestures like energy audits of church buildings and subsequent improvements in heating and lighting systems to supporting coalitions and groups in the wider community advocating for climate justice.
The Presbyterian Church in Canada is also a founding member of the Canadian ecumenical social justice coalition known as KAIROS, through which significant study and action in the realm of climate justice is accomplished. A current emphasis, for example, is upon Watershed Discipleship, a program in which participants identify the major ecological justice issues affecting where they live, make the connections with Indigenous rights struggles, and explore how they are part of larger Canadian and global struggles for justice. It blends biblical and theological reflection with hands-on environmental experience and social analysis. http://www.kairoscanada.org/sustainability/watershed-discipleship/
The Rev. Dr. Andrew Johnston
www.standrewskingston.org
The Presbyterian Church in Canada
