Clause 5 in our Mission statement and in the vision statement of the Anglican Communion calls upon us,
To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth.
A great deal of work has been done in this area and the articles below give some depth into the current thinking on this subject.
In New Zealand, the land of plentiful Green and Beauty, there has not been such discussion but it is just as relevant and important for us to do our bit as it is for any other nation. We have as much to lose as some have to gain.
Please read the following reports from the Anglican Communion Website. Visit the sites linked here and contribute as you see appropriate. We would love some feedback.
- Caring for Creation
Anglican Communion Environmental Network (ACEN).
Endorsement from The Anglican Consultative Council for ACEN recommendations. - Global Anglican Congress on the Stewardship of Creation.
Declaration to the United Nations World Summit on Sustainable Development.
South Africa – August 2002. - Lambeth on the Environment
The Lambeth Conference of 1988 addressed the biblical vision of creation.
At the SYNOD in 1995 the following resolution was passed.
That this synod
Affirms the General Synod / Te Hinota Whanui motion –
“That the General Synod / Te Hinota Whanui, desiring to see the fifth aspect of mission (ACC 8) viz “To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and to sustain and renew the life of the earth” accepted at all levels in all three tikanga and implemented by teaching the intrinsic values of all creation, and encouraging care of the Earth; and noting that the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia has not thus far promoted an active stance in respect to the care of the creation, resolves to:
integrate creation, resolution and conservation into the Anglican Church Calendar for this Church through the inclusion of at least two specifically focused care of Creation theme days per year, such as the Feast of Christ in All Creation and Spring Festival; request each tilanga, in the spirit of partnership and unity in the task of caring for creation, to commit themselves to:
- proclaim that the whole of creation reflects God’s glory – this being integral to the full gospel of Jesus Christ;
- encourage their structural processes and individual members to adopt acceptable envirnmental practices;
- support the production of clearly and topically presented resources for those leading worship and Christian education.”
- asks people in positions of responsibillity in the Diocese to actively promote the aims of the motion.