Safeguarding the Creation that Sustains Us

With the warmer weather, many people spend time enjoying the great outdoors. In the Anglican Marks of Mission (5 signs of God's action in the Church and the world) the fifth mark of mission which we are called to carry out is as follows: "To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth." Here are several ways that you can respond to this call and make faith a part of your outdoor adventures this summer.

Noticing Nature:



Nature is all around us. Even in the city, we are surrounded by plants and animals and life of all kinds. Taking time alone or as a family to notice the life around us can bring us closer to God our creator. Check out this activity on Noticing Nature.

In order to safeguard the integrity of creation, we must take time to understand our place within it and the relationship we have with other created beings. This exercise is about contemplating and deepening that relationship.

It is easy to get caught up in the fast pace and noise of life. We are often not aware of our natural surroundings and environment.

Take a few minutes to explore and notice nature. If you are in a city, go to a garden, forest or park and walk around. Take time to notice the sights, sounds and smells that surround you. If you are in a rural area, go outside and intentionally be aware of your surroundings.

Be silent.

You can sit still and notice nature around you or move slowly through your environment.

Think about one of the other creatures that you see, a plant or an animal, and how their life is connected to yours. How is your life connected to the rocks and soil and water in creation?

Once you have spent at least 15 minutes in creation think about the following questions and what they tell us about the fifth Mark of Mission and our role in safeguarding creation.

How are you connected to Creation?

How are you connected to God as Creator?

Enjoying Creation:  

Many summer activities involve exploring nature. Camping, hiking, cycling, canoeing or even lying on the beach are ways we enjoy God's creation. When we are out in nature, it is important to consider how our activities affect the life of the rest of creation. To learn more about how to reduce your carbon footprint while on vacation, check out this great blog post from sustainable solution consultants terrapass.

Giving Thanks:


 We are sustained in body and spirit by our relationship with the rest of creation. From our the food we eat to the land on which we make our home, our life depends on the life of the earth. Taking time to give thanks to God for all of creation strengthens our sense of connectedness with the web of all life. Here are several prayers of thanksgiving which you can offer for creation.

We thank you, God, for all the goodness and beauty we encounter. We thank you for new green shoots, the buds, the blossom, the tadpoles in the pond, the clear, crisp sunshine calling the earth back to life. We thank you for this life, this love.
       - Rebecca Winter



Creator God, today I watched an ant carrying a seed four times its size. You made an amazing world!        - Sue Atkinson

We pray for animals who are suffering because of human cruelty and greed. May such injustice be brought to light. Please be with those who work on behalf of animals.
        - Rebecca Winter