Environmental Stewardship

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Given the increasing urgency of threats to the environment and issues relating to the unequal impacts of environmental harms on different populations, this year’s Sunday Forums are devoted to the topic of environmental stewardship. Led by elders Ron Cavanagh and Dan Radcliffe, the Forums will feature talks by guest experts, conversations on excerpts from relevant books and articles, and consideration of resources for churches on environmental action.

Congregational discussion of the topic commenced with the
October 9th sermon by Dan Radcliffe.

Reflecting on environmental stewardship in light of Gen. 1:26-31 and Psalm 8, the sermon described the challenge we face: “The essential point is that, in creating us in his image, God has empowered us to take care of his world, to be good and faithful stewards of the earth he has placed in our care. Of course, when Genesis was written, human beings had little power to affect the forces of nature. But, in today’s world, we do have extraordinary power to change the environment—God’s creation—and, sadly, we are abusing that power, engaging in various activities that threaten to destroy not only ourselves but life on earth. Far from exercising responsible dominion over the created world, we are exercising irresponsible domination, consuming resources in unsustainable ways, in effect robbing future generations of their birthright—for our short-term interests.”

Sunday Forums

October 16, 2022

At the initial Sunday Forum on October 16th, participants generally expressed the hope that the series would generate information and ideas that Pebble Hill and individual members could use in becoming more conscientious and effective stewards of the environment. Discussion focused on “considerations” that should be kept in mind as we explore the topic:

In striving to protect the environment, we cannot avoid making trade-offs between that goal and economic realities.- Human beings are interdependent, and no one is exempt from threats to the environment.
Many of nature’s processes are cyclical, enabling us to reuse water, soil, and other natural resources.
Efforts to preserve the earth for future generations will require sacrifice by current generations.
Caring for the earth is both an individual and a corporate responsibility, requiring actions by governments, corporations, and other institutions.

October 30, 2022

Discussion Topic:
On CARE OF OUR COMMON HOME
Excerpts from Laudato Si
The Encyclical of Pope Francis on the Environment

November 6, 2022

November 20, 2022

January 22, 2023

Continued discusson on Care of Our Common Home

Discussion of Our Angry Eden: Faith & Hope on a Hotter, Harsher Planet (Rev. Dr. David Williams, 2021)

Continued discussion of Our Angry Eden

Guest Speaker: Shannan Vance-Ocampo,
Executive Presbyter of the Southern New England Presbytery.
More Information about our speaker

The Forum on Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability will resume on Sunday, February 26.

February 26, 2023 Gary Quirk will lead the Forum, introducing us to resources on Environmental Stewardship available to congregations through the PCUSA website.

Recommended
Books & Articles

Faith & Hope on a Hotter, Harsher Planet (Rev. Dr. David Williams, 2021)

Resource Links

Presbyterians for Earth Care

Ray Anderson: From “Plunderer” to “Green” CEO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iP9QF_lBOyA