Earth Day

Dear Friends in Christ,

This morning I gathered on the site of Jubilee Farm in Brentwood to celebrate an Earth Day Eucharist with members of our congregation and from other congregations in the Contra Costa deanery. There is something about worshipping outdoors, with your feet on the actual earth and the sound of birdsong as an accompaniment; with the sun warming our faces and the breeze cooling our backs, to remind us that the God we have gathered to worship is the source of all life.

Earth Day is an annual event held on April 22 on which Christians honor and recognize God’s creation. The Episcopal Church and the Diocese of California are deeply committed to caring for the environment and addressing climate change. Care for creation is at the center of our beliefs as Christians... Our bible begins with the words,

“In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth...” Genesis 1:1

The very first thing God does that is recorded in the story of humankind’s relationship with God is to create. This act of creation sets the tone for the relationship between God and God’s people, and between God’s people and the world God created. This Sunday our worship will include prayers to reflect this belief and to remind us that God gave us dominion over all creation, not to subjugate it or exploit it in any way, shape, or form, but to be stewards of it; to care for creation and preserve it and to live in harmony with it.

We at Saint Anna’s are committed to reducing our carbon footprint by reducing our use of single use items, eliminating single use plastic, recycling in favor of throwing things in the trash, and exploring ways to make our landscaping more drought tolerant. We ask us to help us by not bringing single use plastic items for hospitality and fellowship events, using china and glass plates, cups and during cups, and helping to wash them up afterward, and recycling whenever possible. a

To honor Earth Day, I encourage you to check out the many resources for participating in the work of caring for creation and ways to mitigate our impact on the environment and to choose one thing you will do t make our planet a better place for all of God’s creatures. Plant a (native) tree. Consider getting rid of your lawn in favor of drought tolerant plants. Reduce your use of plastic and single uses items. Please take a look at the list below (including the eco justice page of the new DioCal website) and consider taking part on one of the many events being held to recognize this important day: https://www.earthday.org/ https://www.diocal.org/resource/eco-justice/ https://www.sustainislandhome.org/ https://www.diocal.org/resource/eco-justice/

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Jane+