J USTICE IN A CTION S UNDAY, M ARCH 13, 2016

O UR P URPOSE : T O INSPIRE AND EQUIP THE W ATERSTONE CONGREGATION AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITY TO CARE FOR C HRIST ’ S CREATION. W ATERSTONE ’ S C REATION C ARE M INISTRY "Hurt not the earth, neither the sea nor the trees." Revelation 7:3

T HE B IBLICAL C ASE FOR C REATION C ARE  Genesis 1, “it is very good”  Colossians 1:16, “For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth…; all things have been created through him and for him.”  Psalm 24:1, “ The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” “Ministry is meeting people where they are and taking them to where God wants them to be.”

T HE B IBLICAL C ASE FOR C REATION C ARE  Genesis 1:26-28, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”  Psalm 145: God is good, kind, loving, merciful, compassionate, faithful, helpful, uplifting, righteous, generous, protective, and just.  OR

M AKING C REATION C ARE A P RIORITY :  Why doesn’t the church make creation care a priority? Politics Judgment Day

L OVE Y OUR N EIGHBOR AND C ARE FOR THE P OOR  Matthew 22:36-40, “love the Lord your God with all your heart …and …love your neighbor as yourself.”  Deuteronomy 15:10-11, “Give generously to them…there will always be poor people in the land…I command you to be open- handed…  Matthew 25:36-44, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me…Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”

E FFECTS OF C ONSUMERISM ON O UR N EIGHBORS AND THE P OOR  Environmental Justice: Industrial manufacturing, processing and waste facilities are often located next to low-income neighborhoods & African-American and Latino communities (known as fenceline communities). 150 oil refineries in 32 states self- reported that they release at least 20,000 tons of hazardous air pollutants (such as benzene, cyanide & formaldehyde) into communities each year. Community members experience higher rates of cancer, asthma and other chronic diseases. Valero Refinery in Houston’s Manchester neighborhood.

E FFECTS OF C ONSUMERISM ON O UR N EIGHBORS AND THE P OOR  Mountain Justice or MTR: Air pollution Noise pollution Flooding Loss of jobs & community Solid & liquid waste Habitat destruction Stream degredation Before & after: Hobet MTR Operation on Mud River, Lincoln County, WV

E FFECTS OF C ONSUMERISM ON O UR N EIGHBORS AND THE P OOR  Climate Change – a justice issue: Flooding Heat waves & drought Human health issues Ocean acidification Before & after: 1882 and 2005 photos of the Muir Glacier, Alaska

E FFECTS OF C ONSUMERISM ON O UR N EIGHBORS AND THE P OOR  Species extinction  Land & water degradation  Air pollution  Water pollution  Deforestation Harbin, northern China, October 21, 2013 Cleveland’s Cuyahoga River fire, 1969

W HAT C AN Y OU D O ?  Seek the kingdom of God first  Visit farmer’s markets & participate in CSAs  Buy fair trade  Be an informed consumer  Don’t buy impulsively  Reduce, recycle and reuse  Live more simply  Use natural cleaners  Conserve water & energy  Utilize renewable energy sources  Get politically involved

M INISTRY I MPACTS :  Class offerings: recycling, simple living, energy & water conservation, etc.  Adoption of Mossbrucker Park  Legislative advocacy  Tree planting  Pet care clinic at the 9News Health Fair  Join local CSA  Encourage support of local HSUS-approved farmers  Website with local opportunities & info  Book club: Almost Amish, Voluntary Simplicity, etc.  Pet food drive for the food bank  Group tours of GrowHaus and Globeville  Creation care resources for Waterstone library  Electronics recycling  Leaf collection  Creation Care Sunday  Research and distribution of materials  Plant With Purpose