HITCHOCK IS WORKING TO BECOME AN EARTH CARE CONGREGATION!

What is an Earth Care Congregation?

Earth Care Congregations are congregations that have committed to the “Earth Care Pledge” and accomplished a number of actions toward caring for God’s earth in four categories: worship, education, facilities, and outreach. Congregations who earn 25 points in each category will be certified as Earth Care Congregations. Members of the congregation will also be invited to participate as individuals by completing similar actions in their homes.

Background of Earth Care Congregations

In 1990 the 202nd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the USA adopted Restoring Creation for Ecology and Justice, calling on our denomination to engage in the tasks of restoring creation. The “Call to Restore the Creation” is part of the resolution and stated that the General Assembly:

• Recognizes that restoring creation is a central concern of the church and should be incorporated into its life and mission at every level.

• Understands this to be a new focus for initiative in mission program and concerns theological work, evangelism, education, justice and peacemaking, worship and liturgy, public witness, global mission, and congregational service and action at the local community level.

• Recognizes that restoring creation is not a short-term concern but a continuing task to which the nation and the world must give attention and commitment, and which will affect the life, work, and witness of Christian people and church agencies.

• Approaches the task with covenant seriousness and with practical awareness that cherishing God’s creation enhances the ability of the church to achieve its other goals.

Why Should We Care for the Earth?

Our faith urges us to strive for eco-justice: defending and healing creation while working to assure justice for all of creation and the human beings who live in it. This call is rooted in the human vocation of “tilling and keeping” the garden from Genesis 2:15, as well as Christ’s charge to work with and for the most vulnerable. Because of their love for Christ who is firstborn of all creation (Colossians 1:15), churches are challenged to live in a manner consistent with God’s call to not only care for creation, but commune with creation. 

Hydrangea quercifolia, Oakleaf Hydrangea, Hydrangeaceae.