As a sub-group the Mission, Outreach, Social Justice Task Group the Diocesan Environment Task Group is actively working on developing its mandate.
Checkout the Facebook Group HERE.
Contact The Rev'd Marian Lucus Jefferies for more information.
Theological Statements
The Five Marks of Mission
http://www.anglican.ca/ask/faq/marks-of-mission/
Safeguarding God’s Creation – the Baptismal promise
http://www.anglican.ca/news/covenant-and-care-a-baptismal-promise-to-safeguard-creation/3006799/
The World is our Host – Bishops urge action on climate justice
https://issuu.com/anglicancommunion/docs/the_world_is_our_host
Climate Change and the Gospel – Bishop David Atkinson, Church of England
http://operationnoah.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Climate-and-Gospel-David-Atkinson-30-01-2015.pdf
Scripture, Environment, Idolatry – An Address by Indigenous Anglican Bishop Mark MacDonald
Laudato Si – A Papal Encyclical, May 2015
A Canadian Response
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bti86O_Tw5A
The Storforsen Appeal, composed at a conference hosted in Storforsen, Sweden in October 2015, urges delegates and leadership attending the Paris Climate Conference to take bold action and make brave decisions on climate change.
Safeguarding God’s Creation – the Baptismal promise
http://www.anglican.ca/news/covenant-and-care-a-baptismal-promise-to-safeguard-creation/3006799/
The World is our Host – Bishops urge action on climate justice
https://issuu.com/anglicancommunion/docs/the_world_is_our_host
Climate Change and the Gospel – Bishop David Atkinson, Church of England
http://operationnoah.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Climate-and-Gospel-David-Atkinson-30-01-2015.pdf
Scripture, Environment, Idolatry – An Address by Indigenous Anglican Bishop Mark MacDonald
Laudato Si – A Papal Encyclical, May 2015
A Canadian Response
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bti86O_Tw5A
The Storforsen Appeal, composed at a conference hosted in Storforsen, Sweden in October 2015, urges delegates and leadership attending the Paris Climate Conference to take bold action and make brave decisions on climate change.
December 2016 Update
Environment Network, Diocese of NS & PEI
98 members connected through Facebook & 59 on the Enews list
Taking into consideration that overlap, I would estimate 120 affiliated with the network including a few from other dioceses. .
I am pleased to report that more and more the Environment Network (EN) is being seen as a resource that people and parishes can utilize and we are able to make connections and develop partnerships with other groups in the diocese to work on common issues.
Living Waters: In conversation with the PWRDF representative for the diocese and members of the Youth Council from the diocese at the PWRDF Gathering we decided to work together to promote the Living Water liturgy used at the Gathering in November. This would also be in line with the church’s commitment to the TRC recommendations and building First Nations Relationship. Would you be agreeable to promoting this in your parish and let me know if it is used? Thank you.
Green Cemetery: This past summer I was asked to assist the Parish of French Village explore the development of a green cemetery. As a result I am working with the committee in the planning of a green project that could inspire and motivate other parishes in our diocese. If you are interested in this project and think that it might be a possibility in your parish I can connect you with the committee.
In September the EfM (Education for ministry) program requested a facilitator to lead discussion as the group studies “Care for Creation – Franciscan Spirituality of the Earth”. The EN was able to match a young Christian environmentalist, Emma Norton, with the EfM program.
In October I was asked to lead a session on the new baptismal vow with the Dartmouth Confirmation Class. I pray that other confirmation classes might take advantage of the EN as a resource and include the new baptismal vow and 5th Mark of Mission in their studies.
In November the EN was approached for assistance in obtaining a green audit for the Mission to Seafarers building in Halifax. The network was able to send a list of on line resources, and obtain the assistance of Frank Smith, from The Church of St Andrew, who was willing to provide support with the audit. Following the initial audit, I met with the person from Mission to Seafarers who is managing the process and hope I can provide on-going support including some financial support.
In November the EN was also asked to support the NS Health Forest Coalition. I met with two people from the coalition recently, attended a session on healthy forests at the Museum of Nature and have shared information and their website with EN members.
Congrats to the re-investment subcommittee that members of the EN have been involved in has completed its work and made its final recommendations to the diocese finance committee.
You might look for an article in an upcoming edition of the Diocesan Times and on our FB page that written by a young woman from an environmentally responsible family from the Parish of New Germany.
The EN is hoping to carry out a green survey in the near future that would involve calling wardens in every parish to ask what their parish is doing to care for creation. We are considering holding a Green Church workshop in the spring. http://greenchurches.ca/education/121-training?ct=t%28Newsletter+-+September+2016%29 And as we approach this next Synod, we will make plans for a display and consider other contributions the EN might make to a successful Synod. If you are interested in helping with this just let me know.
Wishing you all a Blessed Advent and Merry Christmas,
The Rev. Marian Lucas-Jefferies, Coordinator of the Environment Network