St. Francis - Caring for the Whole Family of Creation

Oct. 4, the Feast of St. Francis, marks the culmination of the Season of Creation celebrated by Christians around the world. Many churches observe the Feast of St. Francis as an opportunity to renew their commitment to care for what Francis of Assisi called "our dear Sister Mother Earth." On this occasion, some congregations celebrate a "Blessing of the Animals" when people bring their pets to receive a blessing, thereby honoring creatures in the way of Francis. He held the animals with such deep respect that "Francis called all creatures, no matter how small, since he knew they had the same source as himself" (Bonaventure) - Sister Bird, Brother Wolf for example. He preached to the animals and even wanted the emperor to ask all citizens to scatter grain along the roads on Christmas Day so that the birds and other animals would have plenty to eat.

The native trees planted by congregations through the Trees for Sacred Placesprogram is another way that people of faith are supporting the web of life so that wildlife have plenty to eat. Only native trees host the native insects, whose larvae become the caterpillars that feed baby birds. It takes about 6,000 caterpillars to feed just one nest of baby Chickadees until they fly!  Let us know if your congregation is interested in planting trees next year ([email protected]) and share this flyer to promote the idea as a way to start or expand your Creation Care or Green Ministry. And the 500 Trees project, commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, is planting trees too, such as those at Carroll Lutheran Village, putting their faith into action planting 60 native trees, celebrated with a blessing from Bishop Gohl. (See story below) 

Saint Francis, known as the Patron Saint "of those who promote ecology" (declared by Pope John Paul II), lived in a largely pre-literate society, so the common human experience of the world was not yet mediated through words, but rather through direct experience. There wasn't then the deep rift we have inherited, a kind of dualism - humans vs. nature. And Pope Francis, who took his name from St. Francis, expressed these connections in the encyclical, Laudato Si, Our Common Home, which is a wonderful book study for people of any faith. The encyclical articulates how we heal our wounded relationship with Creation:

Everything is related, and we human beings are united as brothers and sisters on a wonderful pilgrimage, woven together by the love God has for each of his creatures and which also unites us in fond affection with brother sun, sister moon, brother river and mother earth. (92)

So, during this Season of Creation - and beyond!, we invite you to take a few moments to turn to Creation for a time of reverent mediation as Francis did to restore your souls, to mend our relationship with earth, and to strengthen you for the healing work of restoration. May this prayer from Francis offer a start:

Our hands imbibe like roots, so I place them on what is beautiful in this world.
And I fold them in prayer, and they draw from the heavens light.

Kolya Braun-Greiner, MDiv
IPC Religious Educator

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Hands Across the Potomac

In a show of defense of clean water and equitable distribution of natural resources, you can participate in a public resistance against a pipeline that is proposed under the Potomac River. Join "Hands Across the Potomac," an event organized by Chesapeake Climate Action Network. For event details and to RSVP, click HERE. This event will take place Saturday October 14, 2017 at 12 noon, in Sharpsburg, Maryland. 

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Lutheran 500 Trees Project - Celebration at Carroll Lutheran Village 

During 2017 congregations throughout the DE-MD Lutheran Synod (and around the world) are commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. The DE-MD Lutheran Creation Care Team, in collaboration with Maryland Episcopal Environmental Partners (MEEP) is recruiting congregations to celebrate by planting trees through its  500 Trees Project. For more information or to sign up for tree planting next year, contact Deacon Laura Heller, [email protected]. Carroll Lutheran Village was motivated to participate by the enthusiasm of Jean Hauk, member of the Exterior Care & Grounds Committee along with Carl Martens (both are pictured left in the middle with Bishop Gohl), who helped design a planting plan with a wide variety of native trees.  They were inspired to participate in 500 Trees by attending a Workshop led by IPC at Mar-Lu-Ridge Retreat Center. They successfully organized the planting of 60 native trees at Carroll Lutheran Village. On September 13, a gala celebration was officiated by Bishop William Gohl who blessed all the trees and the volunteers during a beautiful ceremony. Read more about this story in the Carroll County Times. 

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One Water Partnership Fills Cohort of Covenant Congregations 

Still Openings for More Congregations to get Involved by doing One or Two Actions

We have reached and exceeded our goal of 15 "covenant" congregations joining the One Water Partnership. Congratulations to all these congregations who, in addition to forming or supporting their congregational Green Teams and signing a commitment, will also take at least 4 actions to improve their shared Jones Falls watershed over the next year: Beth Am, Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church, Cathedral of the Incarnation ,  Chizuk Amuno, Govan's Presbyterian Church, Har Sinai, Homewood Friends Meeting,  Memorial Episcopal Church, Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church, St. Ignatius Catholic Church, St. Luke's on The Avenue Lutheran Church with six:eight Church, St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, The Church of the Guardian Angel, The Church of the Redeemer , Shrine of the Sacred Heart. 

Thanks to these 14 congregations that are participating by taking at least one action: Ark Church, Baltimore Ethical Society, Corpus Christi Church, First Unitarian, Grace Lutheran Church, ​Homestead United Methodist Church, Kingdom Restorers International, Mt Vernon Place United Methodist Church, New Waverly United Methodist Church, Nu Season Nu Day, St. David's Episcopal Church, St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Sweet Prospect Baptist Church

Check out what you might do at your congregation by Clicking HERE for our full Menu of Actions.  Email Bonnie Sorak or call her at 443-799-0349 for the details. Fill out this brief interest form and we'll follow up to schedule a conversation on your congregation's interests and capacity.