In mid-May, Sustainability Champions from across Auckland gathered at St Mary’s by the Sea, Torbay, to connect, be inspired, and continue to reimagine what caring for creation looks like in their church contexts.
The day began with a reflection on hope and what it means to maintain hope in the face of a dramatically changing climate, led by Andrew Shamy. Andrew spoke about the importance of grieving and lamenting the creation we have lost due to climate change. In order to be a people of hope who hope in Christ, we need to allow ourselves to grieve the loss we have experienced within creation. It is through this grief that we experience a deeper hope.
In the afternoon, the Climate Club facilitated their Climate Fresk workshop. This workshop maps out the causes and effects of climate change and helps us see and understand the complexities of the crisis. While this may feel overwhelming and lacking in hope, the workshop concluded by exploring what practical actions can be taken within our personal and church contexts. By integrating the Eco Church action planner, we were able to identify key areas of church life and consider what tools we could use to implement more change within our communities.
Overall, the day was a great opportunity to connect and see how God’s good creation is being cared for across Auckland!
Millie Vette
Eco Church Regional Coordinator (Upper North Island)
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