Celebrating Christian environmentalism

MICHELE MARR

More than 12 years ago Tony Campolo, well-known Christian author and

speaker, wrote a book titled “How to Rescue the Earth Without

Worshipping Nature: A Christian’s Call to Save Creation.”

The title conveyed the tension between Christians, especially

Evangelicals, and environmentalism well. Christians had long tended

to shun environmental issues and causes, seeing in them a form of

neo-paganism that put nature above God and man, who from a biblical

perspective was the singular creation of God made in his image.

In his book, Campolo sought to make a case for Christian

environmentalism based on the Bible. His view: “Creation was meant to

glorify God. The task of the Christian is not to worship nature, but

to join nature in worshiping God.”

Pope John Paul II had long encouraged Roman Catholics to

environmental stewardship and in 1979 officially named St. Francis of

Assisi the patron saint of ecology. Of Francis, the pope said, “[He]

offers Christians an example of genuine and deep respect for the

integrity of creation. [He] invited all of creation -- animals,

plants, natural forces, even Brother Sun and Sister Moon -- to give

honor and praise to the Lord.”

And though Roman Catholics focus on activities to care for and

sustain God’s creation on Oct. 4, the feast day of St. Francis,

rather than on Earth Day in the spring, their objective is much the

same: to promote environmental stewardship throughout the year.

Here in Huntington Beach, St. Wilfrid of York Episcopal Church has

an Earth Ministry dedicated to this cause. Cindy Woods, coordinator

for the ministry, sees no conflict between environmentalism, Earth

Day and her faith.

“The Earth was a gift from God,” she told me recently by

telephone. “Why wouldn’t we want to celebrate our caring for it?”

To avoid getting in the way of other parish events, the Earth

Ministry decided to celebrate Earth Day on May 16 this year, instead

of the Sunday closest to the official Earth Day date of April 22.

But what it misses in timing the ministry intends to recoup in

substance. The celebration will combine environmental information,

exhibits and demonstrations with a fine art exhibit of works by local

artists inspired by or related to Earth and nature.

“What could be a more natural combination than art and the

environment?” asked Woods. “Art is so often our creative response to

the beauty we see in nature. It is one of the ways we express that

part of ourselves that mirrors the creativity of God.”

Tony Bomkamp, a naturalist who teaches at Cal State Fullerton,

will discuss how to get rid of water-hogging grass by gardening with

native plants and will address the spiritual aspects of caring for

God’s creation. There will also be information on organic gardening.

Shipley Nature Center and the Huntington Beach Tree Society plan

to explain the value of preserving and growing our urban forest and

wildlife sanctuary. Groups representing the local wetlands will also

be there.

The Orange County Birds of Prey Center will provide a rare

opportunity to see live raptors up close. The center is devoted to

the rehabilitation of injured birds brought in by people who have

rescued them. The center’s goal is to nurture the birds until they

regain their strength and hunting skills, then to release them back

into the skies.

Some of the birds, however, are so badly injured they can never be

returned to the wild. These are the birds they exhibit, through

donations earning some of the money the center needs to keep going.

“By popular request, we will again provide information on

augmenting your home with solar power and we will add an exhibit on

fresh water for the home,” Woods said.

Soft, live music will enhance the art exhibit for those who tour

the gallery. Novice artists and nature lovers can indulge in a

hands-on art class or attend an informal lecture on the use of art to

express spiritual and environmental inspirations.

“For those hidden artists in our midst, we are going to have a

fresh canvas available to receive everyone’s special touch and turn

it into a community mosaic,” Woods said.

For respite, hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be served in the

art gallery. Organic coffee and treats can be enjoyed in the outdoor

Coffee Spot. The organic coffee will be available to purchase by the

pound.

“We expect this to be an informative, spirit-lifting event,” Woods

said.

* MICHELE MARR is a freelance writer from Huntington Beach. She

can be reached at michele@ soulfoodfiles.com.