Creation Care Drive
From: Bishop’s Office
Dated: 21/06/2024
Dear Colleagues,
Greetings from the Diocese of Delhi-CNI
Over the last few weeks, we have been facing severe weather conditions with temperatures hitting over 50° Celsius which has caused enormous hardships for all of us. The current state of our environment is a matter of grave concern. Relentless deforestation and industrialization have led to severe climate disruptions. This is a result of the ecological imbalance we have caused. These adverse conditions not only affect our physical well-being but also impacts creation as a whole.
As stewards of God's creation, we are called to reflect on our responsibilities towards the environment. Today, I am writing to urge you to initiate a Creation Care Drive within your churches and institutions, emphasizing the importance of planting trees and caring for God's creation. "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." (Gen 2:15) This divine mandate compels us to protect and restore the environment, ensuring that the beauty and resources of the Earth can be enjoyed by future generations.
I propose that each church and institution take an active role in this Creation Care Drive. Specifically, I encourage you to organize tree-planting drives, aiming to plant the number of trees corresponding to the years since the CHURCH'S ESTABLISHMENT or the INSTITUTION'S FOUNDING, respectively. This drive should be completed within a period of fifteen days, i.e. 1st August 2024 to 15th August 2024. This act of stewardship will serve as a powerful witness of our commitment to God's creation and can significantly contribute to the restoration of our environment.
May we all take on this responsibility diligently and plant trees. I particularly want to challenge our young people to come forward and lead this Creation Care Drive.
Please send the report of the same after the completion of the drive.
With every blessing
Shalom
Yours in Christ,
The Rt. Revd. Dr. Paul Swarup
Diocese of Delhi - CNI
