As Christians, we believe that the earth belongs to God; that all things have been created and will be redeemed in Christ; and that we have been entrusted with the care of the earth.
The Bishop’s Committee on Creation Care provides support to individual Anglicans, parishes and the Diocese as a whole to make creation care an integral part of our worship, life and witness. Our mandate is to encourage Anglicans in the Diocese of Toronto in creation-informed, Christ-centred discipleship.
Care for creation is lived out through the Cast the Net Calls to Action, including Call #4 (Recognize and act on opportunities to participate in God’s healing work in the world); Call #5 (Make explicit connections between following Jesus and working for justice and peace) and Call #8 (Intensify advocacy and action in response to the climate crisis.)
To learn more, contact the the co-chairs of the committee, the Rev. Susan Spicer and the Rev. Paige Souter, at creation.care@toronto.anglican.ca.
Lent Resources
“Ecological Grief and Creational Hope – A Lent Curriculum for All Ages”
This six-week resource explores the biblical themes of creation’s groaning and lament as well as its hope for redemption. Each week includes a Scripture passage with questions for reflection and discussion, prayers, suggested activities and action ideas, as well as links to explore further. The questions and activities can be adapted for individual, family, group, or parish use, with specific suggestions for children and youth.
While originally planned as a Lent resource, this curriculum can be used in any six-week period as best suits your parish.
Ecological Grief and Creational Hope (full colour PDF)
Print the resource in black and white (grayscale)
Lent Fast for the Earth
Our Lent Fast for the Earth (2021) has been updated for use in any year. Download the resource. (PDF)
Want to combine your Lenten observance with advocacy? Participate in the Give It Up for the Earth! campaign from our partners at Citizens for Public Justice
Zero Emissions Church - Parish Heating Survey
The Diocese of Toronto encourages all parishes to participate in the first step of the Zero Emissions Church process by filling out a survey form about your parish heating system. Nearly 50 parishes completed forms distributed at diocesan Synod in November 2023. If your parish hasn’t already done so, you can fill out the form.
Further resources
Worship and Preaching resources
Bring concern for creation into prayer, preaching, and worship.; plan a service of Hiking Church; design an outdoor worship space
Environmental advocacy
Join with others working for action on climate change and environmental protection.
Educational resources
Explore how the call to creation care is woven into the biblical story.
Practical greening
Find ways of making your parish more eco-friendly, including buildings and gardens.
Diocesan policy and reflection papers
- Report to Diocesan Council on Environmental Synod Motions, June 17, 2021
- Diocesan Policy Paper on Environmental Issues, 2019
- World of Wonder: Contemporary Discipleship, Climate Crisis and Anglicans
(reflection paper by the Rev. Dr. Stephen Drakeford)
Connecting with others
We’re connected to the Creation Matters working group of the Anglican Church of Canada, and through it to the global Anglican Environmental Communion Network.
We commend these other Canadian faith-based organizations working on environmental justice and stewardship:
- Citizens for Public Justice: a Christian voice for social and environmental justice in Canadian public policy
- Faith and the Common Good: an interfaith organization helping faith communities with practical greening through their Greening Sacred Spaces program
- KAIROS: a coalition of Canadian churches working together for justice and peace
- A Rocha Canada: a Christian environmental stewardship organization working in conservation, environmental education and sustainable agriculture
