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A Short Story About Silence
I spoke recently with a young woman about the work that Eco-Justice
Ministries is doing with churches. We talked about the meaning of
eco-justice, and how churches are including this perspective in their life and
ministry.
She responded with both surprise and delight. Her brief comment spoke
eloquently to me about the need for churches to speak up:
"I've always been involved in the church, and I've always cared
deeply for the environment. But I never heard the church talk about the
environment, so I thought I was wrong."
For whatever reason,
the church has often been silent about the need to care for God's creation. Most
churches recognize the need to speak and act about issues of human rights and
social justice. We have not done as well in extending our concern beyond the
human realm.
Our silence sends a powerful message. As the woman felt so clearly from her
years of church life, silence speaks a loud message: This is not important!
This is not even deserving of my interest and my attention.
Eco-Justice Ministries encourages you to break the silence in
your church and your community. Let the folk around you know that concern for
all of God's creation -- including the environment -- is an important part of
the Christian faith.
You don't have to do anything long, elaborate or detailed. Simply saying or
doing something will break a deafening silence.
Explore this website for ideas of how to speak and act. Contact
Eco-Justice Ministries to talk over possibilities that are best
suited to your setting. Please, don't be silent!
Peter Sawtell, Executive Director, Eco-Justice
Ministries
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