Commission Officer: Doug Holy, acting Chair and Vestry Liaison
Mission Statement
We believe that our world is sacred, having been created by God, through Christ and in Christ. We are therefore committed to promoting respectful care for God’s creation and in particular to work against climate change and on behalf of climate justice.
Action Plan
The Care for Creation Commission is pursuing care for the Earth as an on-going everyday responsibility of our St. James’ parish members. In the process, the commission collaborates with our Episcopal diocese; local, regional, and national communities of faith; and other partners (e.g., Montgomery County Dept. of Environmental Protection, Maryland Dept of Natural Resources, Chesapeake Bay Trust) in order to achieve the most benefits for protection of our Earth and its resources.
What we look forward to
- One or two gleaning-related activities between now and the end of the 2021 calendar year
- Regular communications with St. James’ parishioners about Care for Creation as an on-going mission
- Continued involvement with the Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake and Interfaith Power and Light and making their resources available to the parish
Commission Presentations and Information
- Food: More plants, less packaging, less waste
- Climate Change 101: Understanding Climate Change
- Soil: Are You Aware of the Essential Role of Soil? Article by John Combs
- Integrated Pest Management – Article by John Combs
- Native Plants – Article by John Combs
- Non-Native Invasive Plants – Article by John Combs
Other Sources the Commission recommends…
- Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing by Dr. Katharine Hayhoe
What You Can Do
- Regenerative Agriculture: 5 Ways to Make Your Garden Regenerative, two-minute video
- Composting: Free Composting Guide
- Responsible Food Purchasing: Kiss the Ground’s Purchasing Guide
Episcopal and Interfaith Partners and Statements
- Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake Pledge
- Episcopal Church Covenant for Care of Creation
- Religious Statements on Climate Change – Interfaith Power and Light
- Joint Statement on Climate Change by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Pope Francis, and Ecumenical Patriarch
Collaboration Opportunities