Caring for creation is primarily a theological issue, and people of faith who see creation as a gift from God have a deep responsibility to lead the way in an overall “greening” of Jackson. Given the number of faith communities in Jackson, the city should be one of the “greenest” in the nation. Unfortunately this is not the case. Perhaps this is because caring for creation is often confused for a political issue in which there are polarized sides. Of course this is a mistake because people of all political stripes (as well as other definitions by which we divide ourselves) are dependent on creation for life in the same way. It is one of the great levelers in life. We all share this planet, and its health is vital for ours and all other creatures. “The environment” is not something separate from us. We are all part of the environment - intricately woven into it and inseparable from it. This should be evident to all humans, but people of faith have a further responsibility. We who profess to love God must love what God made. Certainly this applies to our loving one another, but we are called to show great care for all that God brought into being. It is wonderful to see curbside recycling and other movements in our community, and we pray people of faith who call upon the God of all creation will recommit themselves this Earth Day to loving the Creator by caring for creation.
Rev. David Brent Hollis
Rev. Dr. Joel Allen
