Care for Creation

Laudato Si' and Care for Creation Committee

Be the Spark! Leadership Training 2019

You're invited to a 2 part leadership training on Sunday, February 10 & March 3, 2-7 pm at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, St. Paul. "Be the Spark" is a dynamic and experiential leadership development workshop series that builds interfaith community and gives participants premier organizing tools and strategic approaches for engaging their community of faith in climate change solutions. “Be the Spark” participants learn how to invite the gifts and skills of those in their community to take action that inspires a sustained and creative effort in building a more just and sustainable world. Refreshments and dinner are provided. Cost varies, dependent upon ability to pay; scholarships available. Register here. Questions? Please contact Lorraine: 651-644-3315.

The Care for Creation Committee aims to:

• Provide information about climate change and to foster activities that reduce its negative effects.
• At the parish level we try to highlight practical steps we can take to reduce our carbon footprint and to foster hope and forward movement.
• We try to keep up with policy proposals at the local, state, and national levels so that our community can be part of a moral/spiritual voice on issues such as alternative energy sources, oil pipelines, and renewable energy standards.
• Increase awareness of moral and faith issues related to environmental issues, as outlined in Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home, Pope Francis’s encyclical on environmental stewardship.
• Encourage individuals and households to do what they can to promote sustainable living.
  
• Work toward healing environmental injustices that often hurt poor and marginalized people the most.
• Pick up a brochure "On Care for Our Common Home" from the church's community corner
• Please share any suggestions you may have to help develop this series to: Care for Creation Ministry of STM.

Past activities of our ministry have included:

• Conducting energy audits of St. Thomas More facilities, including both church and school buildings, with an eye toward improving energy efficiency as possible.
• Holding a public prayer circle to celebrate the release of Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home.
• Sponsoring a panel discussion with University of St. Thomas theology students on Laudato Si.
  

All parishioners are welcome to participate in our Care for Creation Committee! Meetings are held approximately every other month in church or school facilities. Watch the STM bulletin and website for announcements. For more information, contact Lorraine,Committee Chair: 651-644-3315 or Brian Hefer in the Parish Office: 651-227-7669 x 311.