Creation Care Summer Resources

 “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things cohere.” — Colossians 1:17

Summer is a fantastic time to get out into creation - to feel the sun on your face, to hike in the shade of the woods, and to get some dirt under your fingernails in the garden. 

It's also a great time to connect with the world God has created. As we all take more time and pay more attention to "all created things" we hope that we will grow in love and appreciation for the created world, and want to take better care of it.

"Last fall, a friend gave me a magnifying glass and invited me to wander about their farm and look at moss and lichen growing on top of fence posts.  I was awestruck at the beauty that God had given to these almost invisible creations - and maybe beauty just for beauty's sake.  I decided to start paying more attention to things around me - trees, birds, flowers ... and the reward has been a better sense of the "community of all creation" of which I am a part and a song of  thanks to God the Creator and Sustainer of all things." - Wayne Miedema, Climate Witness Project Regional Organizer - Ontario

Wayne and Joanne Vandergrift (Climate Witness Project Regional Organizer - Alberta), along with Joanne's Grade 7 Class at Lacombe Christian School, created the following two resources to be used with children (or playful adults!) over the summer. 

• I Spy - a bookmark to bring along with you on a walk or playtime outside. Check off the items you see, and turn it over for ideas on how to spend more time in God's Creation this summer.
• Spend Time with God - a booklet to bring with you as you spend time reflecting on God's good creation. Bring a pencil or pen to take notes and make drawings of what you discover about the ways that creation reflects its Creator!
• In addition, Choose Your Own Creation Adventure is a great handout that invites you to embrace new ways to steward creation this season, and to identify things to fast from as you work towards a more sustainable lifestyle this year and into the future. (Thanks to Harriette Mostert for sharing this idea with us!)