A Note to the Reader

To Serve and Guard the Earth:

God’s Creation Story
and Our Environmental Concerns
By Beth Bojarski
To Serve and Guard the Earth is a practical parish or small-
group resource suitable for High School groups and Adults
(its 6 sessions make it also suitable for Lenten use) that
connects the growing Christian environmental concern with
the theology of creation in Genesis. It not only provides
the participants with a greater understanding of the scriptural accounts of creation
and the environmental problems facing us today, but also encourages the participants
to make practical applications to change their everyday lives and enhance important
environmental values. Beth Bojarski,
The resource is divided into six sessions related to the 7 days of creation (session 2 currently works as
combines Genesis days 2 and 4) and environmental concerns related to the days. Diocesan Youth
Session 1: Day 1—Light / energy consumption, outdoor light pollution
Session 2: Days 2/4—Sea & Sky / potable water, air pollution, climate change Director for the
Session 3: Day 3—Land & Plants / deforestation, industrialization, waste management Episcopal Diocese
Session 4: Day 5—Birds & Fish/ habitat destruction, species extinction
Session 5: Day 6—Land Creatures / consumption & greed, human disparity,
of Kentucky. She
overpopulation holds a Master
Session 6: Day 7—Rest & Reflection / being content with life, the importance of rest in Theological
Each of the six sessions in To Serve and Guard the Earth includes several components, all Studies from
of which are available when you download the resource. Reproduce them as you need to
for your group. The components are the:
Virginia
Theological
Leader Guide
The Leader Guide includes everything you need to facilitate the session: Session Preview,
Seminary and
Opening Activities, Exploration Activities, Additional optional activities, and Closing a Master in
Activities. Outdoor and
Participant Handout Environmental
Each week, the reproducible Participant Handout encourages participants to prepare
at home to be ready to discuss more intelligently the scripture readings and related
Education
environmental concerns found in each session. Includes Scripture passages, Scripture from the State
Background, Environmental Concerns Background and Suggestions for What to Do University of New
This Week.
York (SUNY) at
To Serve and Guard the Earth is a downloadable product, and all materials may be
reproduced by the purchasing church only for use with their congregation. To purchase,
Cortland.
visit www.churchpublishing.org. Pay one price for the study and reproduce the materials
you need. Price: $49.95

SR-00-WA-10-A-To serve and Guard the Earth

© 2010 by Beth Bojarski. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.morehouseeducation.org. All rights reserved.
Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.
To s e rv e & g ua r d t h e e a rt h • I n t r o d u cti o n  2

Our Environmental Challenge

I believe there is an environmental crisis for several reasons. In addition, I believe
that the environmental crisis is also the church’s problem—or at least one of
them. This does not take responsibility off of social or government institutions
or individuals and families outside the church, but as a Christian people, it is of
utmost importance that the environmental crisis also be our concern.
From an ecological perspective, it is clear to me that ecosystems and species are “Those who
suffering as a result of global temperature change, extreme pollution and human
use and abuse of the environment. Sure it is true that the earth has the ability
contemplate
to heal itself, to adapt to the conditions forced upon it; but over time repeated the beauty of
mistreatment wears away this resiliency. Deforestation, the deficiency of potable
water, urban sprawl, climate change and energy shortages are real problems that the earth find
the earth community is facing, and that earth community includes humanity.
Many of these problems come from repeated offenses that don’t allow ecosystems
resources of
to pick themselves up and dust themselves off before the next wave of overuse strength that
and abuse begins.
will endure
I think that there are two main reasons why Christians churches are in a
particularly good spot for developing an environmental ethic that can begin as long as life
changing the direction of the environmental crisis. First, environmental or lasts.”
creation care constitutes God’s original purpose for humanity. The authors of
Genesis are clear—be guardians of the earth. Tend and till it, serve and guard it. —Rachel Carson
(1907-1964)

Secondly, echoing the familiar slogan we hear so often, we might ask “What
would Jesus do?” Jesus was a servant—a poor, wayfaring man whose love and
concern had no limits. So as Christians, we are called to follow his example and
do the same—to look beyond the material, the consumerism of our day, and
begin asking this simple question of ourselves. What we need and what we want
are often two very different things. Taking only what we need may very well be
the answer to the problem and the beginning of living more simply.
Not only do Christian communities assume environmental obligations based on
the Genesis narrative and on their desire to follow Jesus’ example, but Christian
communities can also have immense impact on their surroundings. Instituting
change on behalf of the environment beginning with those in the pews will make
a difference and the ripple effect on others might just be astonishing.
But change takes time! And the relationship between humanity and the entirety
of creation is built not on individual events or actions, but on a way of thinking
that has been developed over the centuries. In the same way that it takes time to
change the course of a huge ship or to fall in love with another person, change—
repentance, metanoia—is organic and evolutionary and takes lots of time, energy
and thoughtfulness.
© 2010 by Beth Bojarski. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.morehouseeducation.org. All rights reserved.
Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.
To s e rv e & g ua r d t h e e a rt h • I n t r o d u cti o n  3

Like most grassroots movements, it is likely that in churches and institutions

only a handful of people will at first embrace the task at hand related to the
environmental crisis. This is a huge load for those few to carry. Teaching by
example, having conversations with friends and family and making small changes
that minimize environmental impact are all important. But ultimately if the
systemic change is to occur in a way that will last, the corporate body really must
be a part of it. As an entire people we have done harm over time to the earth.
Metanoia—that true change of heart and repentance—will only make a systemic
impact if all God’s people are involved. It is a lot of work, but the evidence is
there and the road is at least beginning to be paved for us.
The good news in all of this is that there are great strides being made already.
In addition to the more academic work being done by theologians, there are
churches, dioceses and denominations stepping up to get involved and to work
for environmental awareness and change. “When we try
For Christian communities, there are two levels of involvement for responding to to pick out
the environmental crisis. The first is immediate: begin by making a commitment anything by
to change one’s own actions. This change can come in the form of a simpler
lifestyle one decision at a time or a commitment to spend time reading about the itself, we find
environment. Over time these changes will become natural and you might even
wonder what life was like before making them. Also over time, the changes made
it hitched to
are likely to rub off on others. everything
The second level demands a longer time commitment and might prove more else in the
challenging. It is the shift from tending and tilling to serving and guarding and
it addresses the systemic problem of the environmental crisis, not just those Universe.”
episodic problems that arise. This requires that we learn the earth story, ask the —John Muir
hard questions that arise from it and work toward systemic change in our own (1838-1914)
life and the life of our family, society and church. Acceptance of one’s role in
the historical destruction—our participation in the ignorance, busy-ness, greed
and apathy that disorders our world—might just lead to a change of heart—to
genuine metanoia.
The environmental crisis facing the earth community is evident in both systemic
and episodic problems wreaking havoc on entire ecosystems, individual species
and on humanity—particularly the poor and oppressed. Because of the church’s
acceptance of the biblical mandate to tend/guard and till/serve the earth, its
challenge to follow Jesus’ example to care for those less fortunate than ourselves
and its responsibility to the increased awareness of God’s presence in creation,
the church must respond to the current environmental crisis. While this is a huge
task, it is surmountable. By learning the story, owning our own contribution to
the environmental crisis and the contributions of our ancestors and working
toward immediate and systemic change, the church can make a difference.
© 2010 by Beth Bojarski. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.morehouseeducation.org. All rights reserved.
Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.
To s e rv e a n d g ua r d t h e e a rt h • S e s s i o n 1 • L i g h t 4

Session Guide Notes

Use name tags if the group
Opening Activities (10 minutes) members don’t know each other.
Reading the Scriptures
If possible, read the passage in darkness or ask participants to close their eyes.
Read aloud or invite a participant to read aloud Genesis 1:1-5 using a Bible or the
Participant Handout for Session 1. After time for quiet reflection, ask:
• As you listened to the description of the first day of creation, in your
imagination what did you hear, see, smell, taste or touch?
• In our culture, how are light and dark used figuratively—not literally?
• What connotations with these words are positive? Which are negative?

Prayer
After the discussion, invite the group to pray. Begin with an invitation like “Let us
pray” or “The Lord be with you.” Then pray this prayer from the Episcopal Book
of Common Prayer, p. 827: Or use one of the alternate
prayers from the Environmental
Almighty and everlasting God, you made the universe with all its marvelous Prayers handout.
order, its atoms, worlds, and galaxies, and the infinite complexity of living
creatures: Grant that, as we probe the mysteries of your creation, we may
come to know you more truly, and more surely fulfill our role in your eternal
purpose; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Note: If you wish, in any session you may substitute for the opening or the closing
prayer one of the alternate environmental prayers found on the reproducible
handout Some Environmental Prayers.

Check-in
It is important to welcome participants and to provide some time for personal
introductions. If the group is large (more than 12 people), divide it into smaller
groups (about 6-8 per group). Invite each participant in the group(s) to share Be aware of the time and keep
the sharing brief.
their name and a little bit about why they are interested in this study.
Ask them to keep their sharing to a few sentences to allow time for others to speak
and for the material to be covered. To close, introduce yourself and share your
interest in the study. Remember—our personal story is integral to understanding
and opens up the opportunity for relationship building and respect.
To s e rv e a n d g ua r d t h e e a rt h • S e s s i o n 1 • L i g h t 5

Exploration Activities (30-40 minutes) Notes

Scripture (20-25 minutes)
Break the group into smaller groups of 3-4 participants. Provide each group with
at least one Bible, some scrap paper and a pen or pencil. Give each group a copy
of the pre-printed Bible reference lists and questions (found on the reproducible Use the handout Scripture
handout Scripture Questions for Small Groups). Explain that each group will Questions for Small Groups.
have a set of Bible references and one or two specific questions to consider (some
groups may have the same as others depending on group size).
Allow 8-10 minutes for groups to look up their verses and reflect on the questions.
Encourage them to read a little before and after the specific verses to help with
context. Tell the groups that they will have the opportunity to share their verses
and findings with the large group at the end of the given time. Here are the
questions each group will explore and discuss.
Group 1: Gospels (John 8:12 and 9:5; Matthew 5:16)
• How do you interpret these references to light and darkness in the gospels?
• What does it mean to “let your light shine” or that Jesus is the light?
• Can you think of any connections between the light in these passages and
the light created on the first day of creation?
Group 2: the Letters (Ephesians 5:8-14a; 1 John 1:5-7, 2:9-11)
• What does it mean to live in the light?
• How should one do this?
• How might you do this better?
• Can you think of any connections between the light in these passages and
the light created on the first day of creation?
Group 3: Psalms (Psalm 139:11-12; 119:105)
• What is the light that each of these psalms is referring to?
• Can you think of any connections between the light in these passages and
the light created on the first day of creation?
Call the large group back together and invite participants to share their verses
and reflections.

Environmental Concerns (10-15 minutes)

Using the information in the Participant Handout for Session 1, briefly review Use the Participant Handout for
the description of the problems of energy consumption and light pollution. This Session 1 for background.
might be done best and will be more interactive if you ask participants to explain
their understanding of the issues and problems. Remember to connect these
problems with day one of the creation story. Ask:
• What action steps can you do in the short and the long-term to be more
mindful of that which God provided on day one of creation?
• What can we as a parish do?
To s e rv e & g ua r d t h e e a rt h • Pa rti cipa n t H a n d o u t • S e s s i o n 1 • L i g h t 5

What Can You Do?

While there are many different action steps that one can implement to lessen
one’s energy use and involvement in the problem of light pollution, simply
acknowledging your involvement and taking stock in your own use is a great
“More and
start. more of us are
Begin with smaller steps toward change such as: listening for the
• To determine the environmental impact of your activities, use one or more
of the ecological footprint calculators found at www.ecobusinesslinks.com/ silent alarm,
ecological_footprint_calculator.htm stopping in our
• Take the Greenfaith Ecological Footprint Quiz at www.greenfaith.org/spirit/
quiz.html tracks, wishing
• Turn off lights when not in use.
• Change your light bulbs to Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFL) that last
to salvage
longer and are much more energy efficient (remember: these bulbs must be the parts of
recycled, which can be done through some municipalities or home stores
where they are sold). this earth we
• Turn down the thermostat one or two degrees in winter and up a couple
degrees in summer.
haven’t yet
• Install a timer on your thermostat. Turn the heat down during the daytime wrecked.”
and nighttime while you are out or sleeping. —Barbara Kingsolver
• Walk or bike whenever possible rather than driving; car pool or take public Small Wonder
transportation; or combine trips to minimize the need to drive.
• Turn off appliances when not in use. A toaster or cell phone charger left
plugged in creates a circuit that continues to draw electricity. Using power
strips can be helpful because they are often
easily accessible and close a circuit just as
unplugging does.
• Ask your energy company if you can purchase
wind or solar energy. Most companies have
this as an option.
• Install outdoor lighting that reduces light
pollution by directing light at a particular
subject or toward the ground.

© 2010 by Beth Bojarski. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.morehouseeducation.org. All rights reserved.
Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.