Dear Friends:
Earth Day didn’t get special recognition from us this spring. We focused instead on humor, public service, mission and ministry. I actually prefer doing something with earth stewardship at some time other than April. It is a daily need, not a once-a-year emphasis. We are striving to get more and more “green” in the church, using fewer disposable products, paper instead of Styrofoam when we do use disposables, and increasing our use of environmentally friendly products.
The need for Earth Stewardship grows ever more critical. I recently read about some scientific studies. These indicate that many thousands of people now die each year because of pollution, global warming and other environmental problems.
Last July when we observed Earth Stewardship I read an 1854 letter written by Chief Seattle in response to an offer from President Peirce to buy Native lands. It is an inspiring piece of writing.
A portion of Chief Seattle’s letter that I did not read last year contains the following observations: Contaminate your bed, and you will one night suffocate in your own waste...Where is the thicket? Gone. Where is the eagle? Gone. The end of living and the beginning of survival.
Over 150 years ago this wise man foresaw the path we were traveling. It is late in the game now, but God gave us minds and hands. We can still work together to take care of the earth that belongs, not to us, but to God.
-Linda