pathways, May 09
You call us to be in solidarity through our prayers and actions with people adversely affected by climate change.
We recognise that Earth will only be our home as long as we learn to respect and care for the whole community of life and learn humility about our place in it, that we take action to protect and restore the integrity of life systems and that we work for sustainable development for all people. Change our hearts. Fill our hearts with a burning desire for your 'kingdom' where you live and reign.
(opening prayer, World Environment Day prayer service - JPIC Commission USG/UISG)
World Environment Day - June 5 - is a day of special importance for all people committed to living the Good News of peace and justice, according to the Commission for Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation in the USG/UISG Secretariat, Rome.
World Environment Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972. Its annual celebration is used by the UN to stimulate world awareness of the environment and to enhance political action.
The theme chosen by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) for 2009 is
Your Planet Needs You - UNite to Combat Climate Change, while this year's international focus will be
Mexico, a country at the crossroads of the green economy and one increasingly in the centre of regional and global affairs.
The theme and the nation reflect the global urgency for nations to concur on a new climate change agreement in Copehagen later in the year and the growing practical and political role of the Latin American country in the fight against climate change, including its growing participation in the carbon markets.
Mexico is a leading partner in UNEP's
Billion Tree Campaign. The country, with the support of its President and people, has spearheaded the pledging and planting of 25 per cent of the trees under the campaign.
In encouraging religious around the world to mark the day in solidarity, the JPIC Commission has made a prayer service available, and it has encouraged action in the tree planting campaign, by becoming informed about the Copenhagen conference and in reflecting on an international ecological resource.
The prayer service unfolds in three segments - celebration, lamentation and response - with the suggestion to be creative in use of music, drama and space. The four-page prayer service can be
downloaded from here (it follows the letter).
The covering letter continues: "We encourage participation in UNEP's
Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign where individuals, families, communities, organisations, business and industry, civil society and governments, and churches are being encouraged to plant trees and enter their tree planting pledges on the web site (follow the above link)
"The campaign strongly encourages planting indigenous trees, or other trees appropriate to your local environment.
"This gathering of 189 major governments is the 15th such climate change conference aimed at combating greenhouse gas emissions. It will work towards a new global climate agreement - post Kyoto Protocol which expires in 2012 - that incorporates all the countries of the world. Approaches to forestry and carbon trading are some of the key issues this year."
The JPIC Commission poses:
- How is your local church engaging in these issues?
- Will you raise the issue? Where is the voice of our church?
- Find out how your government is acting on these issues. Lobby your government to make your voice heard on the issue of climate change.
"We propose you consider reading and reflecting on an ecological resource, developed by a working group of the JPIC Commission, entitled
Earth Community: In Christ through the Integrity of Creation towards Justice and Peace for All.
To realise these aspirations, we must decide to live with a sense of universal responsibility, identifying ourselves with the whole Earth community as well as our local communities.
We are at once citizens of different nations and of one world in which the local and global are linked.
Everyone shares responsibility for the present and future well-being of the human family and the larger living world.
The spirit of human solidarity and kinship with all life is strengthened when we live with reverence for the mystery of being, gratitude for the gift of life, and humility regarding the human place in nature.
All praise to you God for your goodness to us.
Give us hearts of flesh to rejoice in your gifts, to beg pardon when we err, and to live justly.
We ask this in the name of your Son Jesus, who lives and breathes among us. Amen.
(Closing prayer, World Environment Day prayer service - JPIC Commission USG/UISG)
photo credit: detail from a photograph taken by Sr Liz Wiemers SGS
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