Resources

Richard Bauckham, Bible and Ecology, Rediscovering the Community of Creation (London: Darton, Longman & Todds, 2010)

In this well-argued book, Bauckham considers the relationship of humans to the rest of creation. He argues that there is much more to the Bible’s understanding of this relationship than the mandate of human dominion given in Genesis 1, which has too often been used as a justification for domination and exploitation of the earth’s resources. In countering this, he considers other biblical perspectives, including the book of Job, the Psalms and the Gospels, and re-evaluates the biblical tradition of ‘dominion’, in favour of a ‘community of creation’.

Dave Bookless, Planetwise, Dare to Care for God’s World (Nottingham: IVP, 2008)

Dr Dave Bookless is Director of Theology at A Rocha UK, and has previously served A Rocha as international trustee, co-founder, and national director. This eminently readable book derives from personal experience, sound biblical theological reflection, and hope filled action.

Douglas Moo, and Jonathan Moo, Creation Care, A Biblical Theology of the Natural World (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2018)

This book sits comfortably in the evangelical tradition. Christopher J. H. Wright writes: “Douglas and Jonathan Moo seamlessly combine their biblical and scientific expertise to achieve two very important objectives. On the one hand, they argue a thorough biblical case for including God’s creation within God’s redemptive mission – that is, within the full biblical meaning of the gospel itself. The Bible has good news for all creation! […] On the other hand, they provide abundant scientific evidence to refute the political and corporate myths that so-called “environmental issues” (like the impacts of climate change) are a “hoax” or still in scientific dispute, while calling us to a range of practical measures that will help us move (as this series intends) from biblical theology to life and its fundamental ethical choices.”

Howard A. Snyder, and Joel Scandrett, Salvation means Creation Healed, The Ecology of Sin and Grace: Overcoming the Divorce between Earth and Heaven (Eugene: Cascade Books, 2011)

Like the previous book in this list, this book sits in the evangelical tradition. It addresses a very important topic: The Bible promises renewal for all creation. Snyder and Scandrett argue that for centuries this promise has been side-lined or misunderstood. The authors show that the Bible tells the story of the broken and restored relationship between God, people and land – not just God and people. Mike Slaughter writes: “In Salvation Means Creation Healed, Howard and Joel speak prophetic truth for Christ’s Church, which continues to be deceived by the sirens of Platonic idealism that separate matter and spirit into two different worlds. God is redeeming Creation.”

Ruth Valerio, Saying Yes to Life (London: SPCK, 2020)

The Archbishop of York’s 2020 Lent Book explores how the creation account in Genesis offers us an insight in the uniquely different way Christians relate to God and the world. Each of the well-researched chapters gives wide-ranging examples of how Climate Change affects both people and nature.

Church of England, A Time for Creation, Liturgical Resources for Creation and the Environment (London: Church House Publishing, 2020)

This is a convenient compilation of creation-focussed materials drawn from Common Worship, available in print and online: https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/worship-texts-and-resources/time-creation

Rob Kelsey, Praying for the Earth, Remembering the Environment in our Prayers of Intercession (Durham: Sacristy Press, 2021)

Kelsey’s collects for wide-ranging environmental topics can be used in suggested weekly and monthly cycles, or individually.

Nick Mayhem-Smith, with Sarah Brush, Landscape Liturgies, Resources to celebrate and bless the earth (Norwich: Canterbury Press, 2021)

This rich collection of liturgies and blessings draws from across the whole spectrum of Christian tradition and history and includes such diverse liturgies as an Anglo-Saxon blessing of apples, a Sea Sunday service, and Prayers at the death of Companion Animals.

Chris Polhill, A Heart for Creation, Worship Resources and Reflections on the Environment (Glasgow: Wild Goose Publications, 2010)

This wonderful collection of worship resources leads from celebration, through lament, to action and transformation. There are prayers, poems, stories, reflections and songs, all sourced from the well-known Celtic tradition of the Iona Community.

Anne and Jeffery Rowthorn, God’s Good Earth, Praise and Prayer for Creation (Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2018)

This very impressive book contains 52 beautiful, ready-made prayer services, each around a specific theme, drawing from a rich variety of ecumenical resources: psalms and other responsive readings, Scripture, hymns, prayers, and reflections from the world’s best nature writers. Permission is granted to the purchaser to reproduce for use in public prayer.

Bruce Stanley, Forest Church: A Field Guide to Nature Connection for Groups and Individuals (Powys: Mystic Christ Press, 2013)

This book looks at the sacredness of place and the different ways in which God communicates with us through our encounters with nature. This is an inspiring and practical guide to what we can do in church groups or by ourselves to root ourselves in the world God has made. Forest Church is a fresh expression of Church, finding inspiration in the rhythms of the seasons and the wisdom of Scripture.

Victoria Loorz, Church of the Wild: How Nature Invites Us into the Sacred (Minneapolis: Broadleaf Books, 2021)

This book makes its point by rich storytelling based in the natural world, and calls us to consider how to reunite our spirituality with nature and to find God at the centre of all things.

Philip Newell, The Book of Creation, the Practise of Celtic Spirituality (Norwich: Canterbury Press, 1999)

This reflective book explores the seven days of creation through the lens of celtic spirituality, nurturing an appreciation of God’s presence in the material world.

Preaching for God’s World 

This website offers creation-focussed reflections and prayers for each Sunday of the Lectionary year. https://preachingforgodsworld.org/

Climate Vigil Songs

The Porter’s Gate Worship Project’s Climate Vigil Songs (2022) contains 14 contemporary songs, sheet music and a study guide – all available for free. Isaac Wardell, creative director of The Porter’s Gate Worship Project: “Theologically speaking, we wanted Climate Vigil Songs to do three different things. First, we wanted to sing songs that celebrate the beauty and wonder of God’s creation, with a particular emphasis on God as an actor in the world. But we couldn’t stop there. The second thing we had to do was pause and say, ‘Something bad has happened here, and we are all responsible.’ We need to feel sorrow for what has been lost, so we wrote songs that give the church words to lament the devastation of God’s good earth. These are deep spiritual and Biblical expressions, not just political positions. Thirdly, we wanted to help people do something with these convictions, so we wrote songs for action and mobilisation – music for the movement – where we say ‘yes’ to the work we are called to do. God is restoring all things,

and He gives us hands and feet to help build His kingdom, on earth as it is in heaven.” https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_m4aPoKIiJaK_29sQntDa40RQ9wkv4-kzM&feature=shared

Doxecology

UK-based Resound Worship’s Doxecology (2020) is a collection of thirteen congregational worship songs that celebrate the wonder of creation, acknowledge our failures, and anticipate a glorious restoration in Christ. There is a CD, videos, sheet music, and a study guide with service plans. Most of these resources are free to use. https://www.resoundworship.org/projects/doxecology.

Jeremy Williams, Time to Act (London: SPCK, 2020)

Written by members and friends of Christian Climate Action (the Christians in Extinction Rebellion), this stimulating resource book sets out the moral and religious case for joining the struggle against climate injustice. It reflects on the Christian tradition of non-violent direct action and offers moving testimonies by those engaged in such protests today, along with sermons, prayers, liturgies and other spiritual resources to engage the head, the heart and the hands. https://christianclimateaction.org/.

Jo Musker-Sherwood, Climate.Emergence

Jo directed a small campaign to become one of the UK’s fastest growing climate charities influencing at all levels of government. This hard work took its toll, mentally and physically. Jo now writes and speaks with great wisdom about resilience and self-care for those who work in the field of climate action.

https://www.climateemergence.co.uk/

Green Christian and Wild Christian

Ever considered making creation care a part of your rythm of life? These two innitiatives may help and inspire you: Green Christian is a group of Christians from all backgrounds and traditions, who, inspired by faith, care for creation through prayer, living simply, public witness, campaigning and mutual encouragement. Wild Christian is A Rocha's programme for individuals and families who want to enjoy and learn about nature together, take practical action at home and in their local areas, and join with other voices for national impact.

Caring for God’s Acre

Caring for God’s Acre provides advice on all things to do with nature-friendly churchyard management: www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk

Eco Church Resources

Of all the different actions suggested in this resource, joining the Eco Church journey may well prove to be the most fruitful one. Eco Church provides a comprehensive framework for addressing creation care in your church context. A Rocha has also produced a superb selection of resources to help you on your journey: https://ecochurch.arocha.org.uk/resources

The Church of England Environment Programme:

This website provides a wealth of information for churches, covering everything from Boilers and Solar PV Panels to Fundraising. You can find out more about the Church of England’s Routemap to Net Zero, and watch the latest webinars on specific topics. https://www.churchofengland.org/about/church-england-environment-programme.

Saying Yes to Life by Dr Ruth Valerio

Saying Yes to Life (see the Theology section above) lends itself well to group discussion, but requires substantial preparatory reading for each session. Each chapter of the book ends with questions for reflection, and the Saying Yes to Life website provides video interviews and links to further resources.

Tearfund Bible studies

Tearfund has produced a series of short bible studies available for free online:

• Biodiversity in the Bible

• Caring Creatively for God’s world

• Caring for God’s Creation

• Caring for our Environment

• God’s care for all of creation

Tenants of the King: Operation Noah study course

This is a four-part study series. Through interactive group sessions, video interviews with leading Christian thinkers and insightful Bible commentary, this resource will help you and your church to reflect on the challenges of a changing climate, and how Christians can respond with hope to one of today’s greatest challenges. https://operationnoah.org/church-resources/tenants/

The Plenty! Course – Joy in Enough

Imagine a society where every person can flourish and everyone has enough. Plenty! is a small group discussion resource developed as part of Green Christian’s ‘Joy in Enough’ project. Through six sessions 75-minute sessions, it explores a faith-based vision for a just and sustainable economy:

1. Plenty! – Inequality

2. Just can’t get enough – Consumerism and advertising

3. Running out of planet – The climate emergency

4. God is in business – Economic justice

5. Growing pains – The growth imperative and debt

6. Joy in Enough – Towards sustainability and wellbeing

https://joyinenough.org/resources/plenty/

York Courses – Caring for Creation (2021)

This excellent five-session course can be used by small groups as well as by individuals. It consists of a booklet and an audio CD. Up-to-date information, challenging questions, and faith-based hopefulness. (Presently out of print)

Dr Mya-Rose Craig, We Have a Dream, Meet 30 Young Indigenous People and People of Colour Protecting the Planet (Dunsfold: Magic Cat, 2021)

Dr Mya-Rose Craig, who is also known as Birdgirl, is a young British-Bangladeshi race activist and environmentalist. In February 2020, Mya-Rose became the youngest British person to be awarded an honorary doctorate in science from Bristol University, in recognition of her campaigning for diversity in the environmental sector. In this book you will find inspiring stories from young people all around the world.

Paul Kerensa and Ruth Valerio, Planet Protectors: 52 Ways to Look After God’s World (London: SPCK, 2021)

Aimed at 7-9 years olds, this book is packed with interesting facts, Christian theology and practical tips. Planet Protectors offers 52 fantastic ideas for looking after the world – from cycling more and choosing fair-trade, to taking shorter showers and recycling – a different challenge for each week of the year.

Sally Welch, Outdoor Church: 20 sessions to take church outside the building for children and families (Abingdon: BRF, 2016)

A creative worship and activity resource for churches to use outside the church building. Outdoor Church functions in any green space and is suitable for churches in urban, suburban and rural contexts. It contains four sessions for each season – four stand-alone service outlines, one for each season – and even some indoor alternatives for rainy days.

The Diocese of Leeds, Saving Creation, Links to resources for ecoministry with children and young people.

If you are looking to encourage and empower children, young people and families to explore the issues of climate change and creation care, in this document the Diocese of Leeds has put together a helpful list of resources: https://learning.leeds.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Saving-Creation-Eco-ministry-with-children-and-young-people.pdf.

Messy Church Goes Wild

Messy Adventures consists of twelve messy outdoor sessions, focussed on meeting God in creation. Each session includes fun activities, questions to discuss, ‘Big Thinking’ provided by scientific experts, and suggestions for creative ways of responding in Christian worship with awe, wonder and celebration. https://www.messychurch.brf.org.uk/latest/projects/messy-church-goes-wild/

WE ARE (Tearfund)

An inspiring and radical movement of young people who are passionate about justice and climate church. The videos produced by WE ARE speak the language of young people and are very suitable for youth groups and secondary school assemblies: www.youtube.com/wearetearfund.