Sunday
March 8, 2009


Throughout the 1990s, I became increasingly involved in synodical and statewide ecumenical efforts to awaken the people of God to care for creation. Those years were a time of rich learning, formation, and preparation in discerning my call to ministry. Along the way, I stopped using the term environmental stewardship in favor of earthkeeping. Why? Because I think one of the deepest reasons why humankind does not care for Earth that sustains us is that too many people do not know or feel their inherent biological, ecological connection to the rest of the natural world. Referring to what we should care for as simply "the environment" fosters the sense that it’s something "out there" and separate from us...

Earthkeeping, on the other hand, is drawn from Genesis 2:15, where God places Adam (humankind) in the garden to "tend and keep it." Earthkeeping, then, denotes a more intimate caring and keeping, modeled upon how God cares for and keeps us. We are, after all, made in the image of God. [Kim Winchell, “Beyond Earth Day,” posted at http://www.lutheranwomantoday.org/featuredArticles/
0408article1.html]
- Kim Winchell, diaconal minister for Earthkeeping Education and Advocacy Ministries, North/West Lower Michigan Synod.

Congregations around the country are growing in their awareness of the call to earthkeeping. 

The call to the Madison Christian Community (MCC), an ecumenical partnership between Advent Lutheran Church and Community of Hope (a Church of Christ congregation), began as one man’s dream, but overtime was transformed into a vision for the whole community.  Rev. Jeff Wild, the pastor of Advent Lutheran Church was struck one blustery day by the idea of constructing a windmill on the MCC’s property.  A task force was created to explore the idea, and though the site was eventually deemed inappropriate for a windmill, the research process had educated and inspired the congregations of Advent and Community of Hope.  The MCC conducted several energy audits, made the switch from standard to more energy-efficient lighting throughout their building, and then installed solar panels to generate clean energy for the community’s use.  As the congregations made changes to their building, individual members were also encouraged to adopt more sustainable practices in their own lives.  For more on how the Madison Christian Community grew into their call to care for creation, and continues to encourage individual members in their earthkeeping, visit the MCC Web site.