Disciple - This Fragile Earth: Getting Started

By Diocesan House

“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s these little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”
- Archbishop Desmond Tutu

It’s a rare thing when Easter, Earth Day and Arbor Day fall in the same week, and we couldn’t help but celebrate that 2019 trinity with a look at Creation Care. A priority of the Diocese of North Carolina, there are countless ways to start reconnecting with the land we call home. What the step is, is less important than the fact the step is taken, because it’s up to every one of us to care for this environment of which every one of us is a part.

Getting Started

If the preceding pages have shown us anything, it’s that there is no one right way to get started in the work of Creation Care. There is much to be done, and there is room for us all to do it.
It’s understood how easily we can be overwhelmed with the magnitude of the needs of Creation Care, so keep a few simple kindnesses in mind as you get started:

Step by step: Don’t try to do too much all at once. This isn’t a sprint you’ll complete and be done; this is a shift in thinking and the way you live. Set yourself up for success by taking steps you know you can implement, and let the new habits take hold before introducing the next one.

Set time frames: One reason so many behaviors and habits are altered during Lent is because it provides a finite time frame to experience the new habit (or lack thereof) without committing to a lifetime. Follow that model, set a finite time frame so your focus remains on the new habit, and when the time elapses, assess how things are going and either continue or adjust as needed.

Don’t be afraid to fail: You won’t know what’s going to work for you until you try, and some of the things you try may just not work. It’s okay. The trying is the important part, so if something isn’t working for you, don’t let it stress you. If you can, identify why it doesn’t work, and adjust if possible or try something else. It’s also okay to hit the reset button and make a second attempt.

FIRST STEPS

Looking for first-step ideas? Try these!

Weekly Green Tips: The Chartered Committee on Environmental Ministry offers weekly green tips on diocesan social media channels. Try one or two—you’ll be surprised how even a simple change can have a profound effect on your thinking. Including the tips in weekly church bulletins is a great way to get your congregation involved as well.

Green reflections: Shared on diocesan channels the last day of every month, these reflections are informative, insightful and inspiring as they range among the various facets of Creation Care.

Take the pledge: The Episcopal Church called for 1,000 pledges to Creation Care during Lent, but there’s no need to be so formal. Make a pledge to yourself to take a green step; making that promise to yourself in any form is a great way to keep it.

RESOURCES

There are literally millions of resources related to Creation Care out there, but here are a few proving helpful to our mission work:

The Chartered Committee on Environmental Ministry: This diocesan committee is tireless in their work, sharing information, creating initiatives and working with congregations on their Creation Care efforts. If you need guidance or assistance—or if you’d like to get involved with the committee—don’t hesitate to contact them. Learn more.

Green Grants: Offered by the NC Episcopal Church Foundation, Green Grants are intended to assist congregations make improvements to their building or grounds to conserve resources and energy, and shrink their carbon footprint. Learn more and apply.

ZeroWasteChurch.org: Great staring point for churches and individuals; includes downloadable “A Year of Personal Action”

SustainIslandHome.org: New tool from The Episcopal Church to help track the impact of your positive changes

NC Interfaith Power & Light: A tremendous resource for information and action ideas (including free energy analysis)

TELL US YOUR STORY

The ways in which churches in the Diocese of North Carolina are committing to Creation Care are seemingly endless, each of which provides inspiration, energy and guidance for the rest of us.
Tell us your story! We want to continue sharing all the ways we’re reconnecting with the land around us and showing our love for God’s creation. To share the work your church is doing, contact the communications department.