God calls us to care for creation. As Evangelical Christians what does this mean for us in a modern world? Listen in to find out how.
Charles Scribner became Black Warrior Riverkeeper’s Executive Director on January 1, 2010. Black Warrior Riverkeeper’s mission is to protect and restore the Black Warrior River and its tributaries. Charles is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama’s Task Force for the Stewardship of Creation. At the Cathedral Church of the Advent, Charles publishes daily social media updates, leads a weekly Bible study group, and is a member of the Planning Team. He also volunteers as Treasurer of the Princeton Alumni Association of Alabama and as a trustee of three scholarships for top Alabama students: the John Kaul Greene Scholarship (St. Paul’s), the Robert R. Meyer, Jr. Fund (Princeton), and the MPA Alumni Scholarship (UAB). Charles and his wife, Elizabeth, have two daughters, Elizabeth and Charlotte, and one son, Charles. Black Warrior Riverkeeper Task Force for the Stewardship of Creation Bible Verses for Children on Creation Care Ten Things We Can Learn about Sustainability from the Great American Road Trip
Cara Fleischer is a Creation Care leader at Saint Paul's United Methodist Church, the co-leader of Tallahassee Citizens' Climate Lobby, a Climate Reality Leader, and a Mom's Clean Air Force SuperMom. Join her Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mommafly/. Cara recently completed her commissioning as an Earthkeeper with the Global Board of Ministries of the United Methodist Church. Cara is a community blogger for the Tallahassee Democrat. She has also contributed to the EEN Moms Blog: Compost Tumbling towards Caring for God's CreationDo Something for the Environment – Pray for the Earth and Act
Kim Eierman is the founder of EcoBeneficial! She is an Environmental Horticulturist specializing in ecological landscapes and native plants. Kim teaches at the New York Botanical Garden, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, The Native Plant Center in NY, Rutgers Home Gardeners School and several other institutions. She is an active speaker on many ecological gardening topics, presenting at industry conferences, garden clubs, nature centers, Audubon Society chapters, beekeeping groups, and other organizations interested in environmental improvements. Kim also provides horticultural consulting to homeowners and commercial clients. In addition to being a Certified Horticulturist through the American Society for Horticultural Science, Kim is a Master Gardener, a Master Naturalist, an Accredited Organic Landcare Professional, a Steering Committee member of The Native Plant Center and a member of the Garden Writers Association. Kim was awarded the Silver Award of Achievement by the Garden Writers Association for their 2014 and 2015 Media Awards Program.
My name is Mykal Shupe. I am going to be a senior at Malone University double majoring in Zoo & Wildlife Biology and Environmental Studies with a minor in Psychology. I have been a Christian since I was seven years old and I continue to love and serve Jesus in everything that I do. This past year I was a Climate Leadership Fellow with Young Evangelicals for Climate Action. I was challenged this year to make a change on my campus. I decided to create an environmental club from scratch for the Malone community to become involved in and to have a way to be a part of climate action. I am excited to see where this takes Malone as a community and how Jesus is going to work through this club to help the Canton, Ohio community as well.
The 3 Rs of creation care are reduce, reuse, recycle but many of us skip over the first two and go straight to recycle. Recycling is incredibly important but we need to focus on the reduce and reuse more. Why? Because we don't have enough resources to stay on our plastic diet. Secondly, unless policy changes and recycled product content is embraced by industry in everything, we will never use all we consume. Finally, for all our efforts there is plenty that can't be recycled. Join Beth and her sister Kendra, as they discuss what this all means and simple steps you can take at home to reduce your lifestyle and then reuse what you do use and then recycle it. Take The Last Straw pledge 5 Things to Reduce Your Kids Lunch Box Trash Creation Hack: Train Yourself to Use Reusable Shopping Bags
Joe Barber is the President of Natural Soy Products, Ltd and the Clean Environment Company. He and his wife Melissa have three children, and live in Waverly, Iowa. Joe is a graduate from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in Political Science. Joe spent 23 years in metal manufacturing before having the opportunity to join the Natural Soy team. As an Eagle Scout, and a farm boy, Joe has always had a passion for nature and making sure that his children can have the same wonderful experiences in the outdoors that he had. What does it mean to be green? Natural Soy Products are safe for the environment, for the people using the products, for the plants, for the animals that may come in contact with the products later. Natural Soy Products are non-toxic and biodegradable. Natural Soy Products contain no hazardous ingredients as defined under the U.S. OSHA Hazard Communications Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) or the Canadian Hazardous Products Act S.C. 1987, C30 (Part 1). High flash point (greater than 360 degrees F)Low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) levelsNot listed as a Hazardous Air Pollutant (HAP)Non-ozone-depleting chemical (ODC)Non-SARA reportableReadily biodegradablePotential for reduced waste-disposal costs
Christina Krost is a United Methodist pastor’s wife, a mother, and an Earth care advocate working for Faith in Place, the Illinois Affiliate of Interfaith Power & Light. She is also a UMW Be Just Be Green Jurisdiction Guide for North Central Jurisdiction. She lives with her husband and three daughters in rural Illinois and blogs at fivematches.com.
Christine Sine is the founder and facilitator for godspacelight.com, which grew out of her passion for creative spirituality, gardening and sustainability. Together with her husband, Tom, she is also co-Founder of Mustard Seed Associates but recently retired to make time available for writing and speaking. She is a contemplative activist, passionate gardener, author, and liturgist. She loves messing with church traditions and inspiring followers of Jesus to develop creative approaches to spirituality that intertwine the sacred through all of life. She facilitates workshops on spirituality and gardening, simplicity and sustainability and how to develop a more spiritual rhythm for our lives. Christine is inspired by Celtic Christian spirituality, which has opened her eyes to the God who is present in every moment, every experience and every place. She is open to learning from everyone and everything around. In a former life Christine trained as a physician in Australia practiced in New Zealand and developed and directed the healthcare ministry for Mercy Ships. She no longer practices medicine but delights in guiding people towards the health and wholeness of God’s new world. Her most recent book is Rest in the Moment. Other books include: Return to Our Senses: Reimagining How We Pray (MSA 2012), To Garden with God (MSA 2010) Light for the Journey (MSA 2010) GodSpace: Time for Peace in the Rhythms of Life (Barclay Press 2006), and Tales of a Seasick Doctor (Zondervan 1996). Christine and Tom also co-authored Living on Purpose: Finding God’s Best for Your Life. (Baker Books 2002).
Tina Wilkinson is chairperson of Solarize Dunwoody, an Earthkeeper in the United Methodist Church, and a member of the board of directors of Georgia Interfaith Power & Light. She was chosen as the City of Dunwoody’s Sustainability Hero for 2015 in recognition for her environmental activism in the Dunwoody community. She founded the organic garden program at Vanderlyn Elementary and the Creation Care team at Dunwoody UMC. She has two children, Ben & Anna, who are students at Dunwoody High School, and is married to Scott Wilkinson. Before leaving the workplace to stay home with her children, she worked for over ten years at Wachovia Bank in Winston-Salem, NC and Atlanta, GA, in their corporate banking unit. Solarize Guidebook - Department of Energy This guidebook is intended to be a roadmap for project planners and solar advocates who want to create their own successful Solarize campaigns, a collective purchasing program to spur solar energy deployment in local communities. The guide describes the key elements of the Solarize Portland campaign and variations from projects across the country, along with lessons learned and planning templates.
Dr. Lindsay Linsky is “a professor who is called to write for Christ and creation.” She is the author of Keep It Good: Understanding Creation Care through Parables, which has been described as “a landmark read for every Christian.” She serves as an Assistant Professor and Coordinator in the College of Education at the University of North Georgia. She earned her PhD in Science Education from the UGA, and her dissertation focused on Environmental Education. Lindsay lives with her husband and two small children in Suwanee, GA where they attend 12Stone Church of the Wesleyan Denomination. Francis Schaeffer, Pollution and the Death of Man, on the subject of dominion - Here, in this present life, it is possible for the Christians to have some share, through sciences and the arts, in returning nature to its proper place. But how is this to be achieved? First, as we have seen, by the emphasis upon creation. Then, second, by a fresh understanding of man's "dominion" over nature (Genesis 1:28). Man has dominion over the "lower" orders of creation, but he is not sovereign over them. Only God is the Sovereign Lord, and the lower orders are to be used with this truth in mind. Man is not using his own possessions. Follow on Twitter: @lindsaylinsky @SyGarte Bible Verses for Children on Creation Care Teaching Preschoolers to Pray for God’s Creation
Audrey Peterman is nationally recognized as a leader in the movement to make America’s prized public lands a household word, known and loved by a broad spectrum of our population. Mrs. Peterman and her husband Frank have visited more than 200 of the most scenic and historically significant national parks, forests and wildlife refuges and have spent more than two decades writing, speaking and advocating for their protection. Mrs. Peterman served five three-year terms on the board of the National Parks Conservation Association and has served on multiple other conservation-focused boards. She and her husband founded the Diverse Environmental Speakers Bureau which makes leaders available for speaking and training engagements. They share their experiences in the books Legacy on the Land: A Black Couple Discovers Our Inheritance and Tells Why Everyone Should Care, and Our True Nature: Finding a Zest for Life in the National Park System. The Petermans’ blended family includes six children and 20 grandchildren. Awards and recognition include the Environmental Hero Award 2000 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Legacy on the Land Our True Nature Whose land is it anyway? #FloridaWoman on a Mission to Save Our Public Lands
Patrice Tomcik is the Pennsylvania Field Consultant and the National Oil & Gas Program Coordinator for Moms Clean Air Force. Patrice lives in Butler County about 30 minutes north of Pittsburgh, PA where natural gas development is rampant. Her children go to school ½ mile away from a natural gas well pad and a pipeline that puts 3,200 children’s health and safety at risk. Patrice is passionate about public health and advocating for a healthy environment at home, school, and outdoors for children. She focuses on protecting children from the health and safety risks of oil and gas operations through education programs, advocacy actions, and policy work at the local, state, and federal levels. Her hobbies are exercising, reading, gardening, and sports with her sons. Moms Clean Air Force Methane in Southwest Pennsylvania
Andrea is a pastor, writer, preacher and mother of four. She is the Director of SACRED ALLIANCE, a new center advancing the gifts of women in ministry and leadership at Wesley Seminary. She also serves the Lausanne Movement, facilitating mentoring relationships for their Younger Leaders global initiative. Andrea has dedicated her ministry to the local church as God’s agent of redemption in the world. She thinks in word-pictures and weaves the practical with the profound truth of God’s word. She is passionate about Biblical Justice and authentic vulnerability and their critical connection to spiritual formation. An ordained minister and a graduate of Asbury Seminary, Andrea has served as pastor in the local church and as a denominational leader for The Wesleyan Denomination. She currently lives in Atlanta with her husband Jeremy and their four children. She wishes she had hobbies to list here… but four kids. Enough said.
Meet Piper Vargas. She's 35 years old and a rare Orlando, Florida native. She's been happily married for 6 years and have two amazing boys, Max (4.5) and Diego (almost 2). She's been a part of MOPs for 4 years and on the leadership team for 3 years in charge of our events and volunteer/service activities. She's a part time Realtor, full time Mom and enjoys traveling the world and spending time with her family and friends. She's passionate about her family's health and our environmental impact and her newest addictions are Orange Theory Fitness and weekly meal planning. Additional resources (Please note these resources are provided by EEN Moms): Podcast Is your diet feeding your cancer? Documentaries Food Inc. Fed Up Family Health Books The Unhealthy Truth The 21-Day Sugar Detox Faith Books on Food Food and Faith: A Theology of Eating Good Food: Grounded Practical Theology Deeper Dive on Food and Food Policy The Omnivore's Dilemma Folks, This Ain't Normal
Meet Kendra Kania. She is a stay-at-home mom with a degree in Hospitality Administration from Florida State University. Kendra and her husband Steve have two children, Kyle and Colette. Kendra serves her community through mentoring and volunteering in the schools in her area. Kendra has served at all three levels: elementary, middle and high school. She is a PTA member for 15 years and former PTA President and Board Member. She was Executive producer of the Bay City Ballet Nutcracker. She has served on her neighborhood HOA Board and was Volunteer of the Year in 2012 of Curlew Creek Elementary. Kendra and her family attend their local Catholic church. Colette has served as an acolyte for 11years. Kendra's hobbies include reading, volunteering and going to the beach. Kendra isn't a gardening expert which proves anyone can do a backyard garden.
Laura Burns is a mother from Ohio. She graduated from Oral Roberts University with a degree in biology and a passion for creation. Today, she serves as the Ohio Field Organizer for Moms Clean Air Force, focusing on the health of children in Ohio and advocating for clean air. Laura homeschools her children, plays catch with their three dogs, and enjoys the quiet life of an introvert when she isn’t working. Laura's passion for her husband, kids and God's creation will inspire you to engage with your faith community and community-at-lage to protect what's most precious the health of your children. To download pdfs on the education pieces mentioned click here. Join the Moms Clean Air Force Ohio Facebook Group. Download Healthy Creation = Healthy Children Bible Study click here. Join the private EEN Moms Facebook Group. Music is provided by bensound.com. Creative Commons License
The Rev. Mitchell C. Hescox serves as President/C.E.O. of The Evangelical Environmental Network and speaks nationally on creation care, especially on the environmental life threatening impacts on the poor and defenseless. Rev. Hescox co-authored Creation Care: The Evangelical’s Guide to Climate Change and a Healthy Environment with Paul Douglas, published numerous articles and contributed to Sacred Acts: How Churches are working together to Protect Earth’s Climate by New Society Publishers. He has testified before Congress, appeared on CNN, NPR, PRI and numerous radio programs both Christian and secular. Named one of the ten Environmental Religious Saints in the Huffington Post, Mitch lead the 300 mile Creation Care Walk from West Virginia to Washington, DC and the 80 mile Gulf Coast Prayer Walk during the Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill. Mitch led EEN to successful championing of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards. He serves on the National Association of Evangelicals Board of Directors. Before EEN, Mitch pastored a local church for 18 years, and before the call to ordained ministry served the coal and utility industry as Director, Fuel Systems for Allis Mineral Systems. He is married to Clare with four (4) grown children and four (4) grandchildren. Music is provided by bensound.com. Creative Commons License