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Creation Care

As Christians, we believe that the earth belongs to God; that all things have been created and will be redeemed in Christ; and that we have been entrusted with the care of the earth.

The Bishop’s Committee on Creation Care provides support to individual Anglicans, parishes and the Diocese as a whole to make creation care an integral part of our worship, life and witness.

To learn more, contact the Rev. Susan Spicer, chair of the committee, at creation.care@toronto.anglican.ca.

Lent Resources

“Ecological Grief and Creational Hope – A Lent Curriculum for All Ages”

This six-week resource explores the biblical themes of creation’s groaning and lament as well as its hope for redemption.  Each week includes a Scripture passage with questions for reflection and discussion, prayers, suggested activities and action ideas, as well as links to explore further.  The questions and activities can be adapted for individual, family, group, or parish use, with specific suggestions for children and youth.

While originally planned as a Lent resource, this curriculum can be used in any six-week period as best suits your parish.

Ecological Grief and Creational Hope (full colour PDF)

Print the resource in black and white (grayscale)

Lent Fast for the Earth

Our Lent Fast for the Earth (2021) has been updated for use in any year.  Download the resource. (PDF)

 

NEW - Hiking Church Resources

Over the past year, members of the Bishop’s Committee on Creation Care in the Diocese of Toronto have been exploring Hiking Church as an experience of walking and worship in creation.

While the words “hiking church” may conjure up the image of a pristine forest trail, Hiking Church events can and should take place in many different environments:  rural, suburban, urban.  The idea is to connect with creation – noticing signs of life where creation is flourishing, as well as where it is stressed.

The walk begins with a gathering song and prayer, moves to a Eucharist (contextualized for the location), and culminates in a re-gathering, closing prayer and dismissal. During the walk itself, participants are invited to walk in silence, with awareness. It’s amazing what you begin to notice when you pay attention!

Further resources

Worship resources

Bring concern for creation into prayer and worship.  Design an outdoor worship space!

Environmental advocacy

Join with others working for action on climate change and environmental protection.

Educational resources

Explore how the call to creation care is woven into the biblical story.

Practical greening

Find ways of making your parish more eco-friendly, including buildings and gardens.

Diocesan policy and reflection papers

Connecting with others

We’re connected to the Creation Matters working group of the Anglican Church of Canada, and through it to the global Anglican Environmental Communion Network.

We commend these other Canadian faith-based organizations working on environmental justice and stewardship:

  • Citizens for Public Justice: a Christian voice for social and environmental justice in Canadian public policy
  • Faith and the Common Good: an interfaith organization helping faith communities with practical greening through their Greening Sacred Spaces program
  • KAIROS: a coalition of Canadian churches working together for justice and peace
  • A Rocha Canada: a Christian environmental stewardship organization working in conservation, environmental education and sustainable agriculture