By Marilyn Kott | Contributing writer

Leaders of 10 Redlands faith communities have come together to urge all residents to care better for the environment, pointing out that environmental degradation and climate change affect all life on Earth, and emphasizing that the matter can’t wait.

Leaders from the Baptist, Baha’i, Roman Catholic, Episcopal, Latter-day Saints, Lutheran, Methodist, Paradox Church, Presbyterian, Restoration and United Church of Christ communities in Redlands came together over the past year at the suggestion of the nonprofit organization ANCA (Accelerating Neighborhood Climate Action Redlands). It is the leaders’ hope that they can help engage their flocks and the wider community to care for creation. “Creation” is the term generally used in faith circles, rather than “nature” or “the environment.” It is meant to convey a broader meaning, including humanity with all that exists in the created world, past, present and future.

The faith leaders, known as the Interfaith Climate Action Coalition of Redlands, said they “believe passionately that we need to care better for the Earth, and we believe that when we act together, we strengthen each other in doing that.”

When asked by ANCA what they could do collectively for Earth Day, the group asked to make a united, public statement at the Earth Day gathering. In their statement, the group affirmed that “each of us and all of us agree that we have a very big, very real problem with climate change and environmental degradation in our world, and that humanity can’t wait any longer to act. Further, we believe that stopping the devastation and healing the Earth is one of the most urgent moral issues of our time.”

Continuing, they said:

“As people of faith, we’re committed to advocating for the common good. Although there are differences among us regarding aspects of our religious beliefs, we’re very much united in this. Harming the environment harms all who dwell on the Earth, especially the poor and future generations.

“Why is this a faith issue? As religious leaders we agree that the Earth and everything on it were created in a generous and loving act of our Creator God. Caring for the Earth and all that dwells on her shows respect and love to our Creator and helps us keep our own dignity.

“Caring for the Earth also shows our love for the rest of humanity and for the rest of Creation. The Earth came about with reason, with logic written into its design. In balance, it can provide for all of our needs. But when one part or another is degraded or overused, all of it starts to break down. We’re seeing that now. Climate change is bringing increasing harmful weather patterns, and the loss of species is reducing the bounty that was meant to exist for all.”

At the end of their statement, the leaders thanked and blessed participants for their presence and their action and encouraged participants to continue “acting and advocating at home, at work, in your neighborhood, and with your elected officials.”

Redlanders who would like to get involved with the Interfaith Climate Action Coalition are welcomed and can learn more by writing to info@ancainlandempire.org.

Marilyn Kott is a member of the Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church and its Creation Care Ministry. The Holy Name is a member of the Redlands Area Interfaith Council.

Redlands religious leaders on caring for creation

Henk Fischer Stake President, Redlands CA (LDS): The President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Russell M. Nelson, said the following about caring for creation: “As beneficiaries of the divine Creation, what shall we do? We should care for the earth, be wise stewards over it, and preserve it for future generations. I’m so grateful for the amazing work the Interfaith Climate Action Committee is doing to protect and care for our environment — your efforts truly make a difference in keeping our community in Redlands beautiful!

Joe Zarro, pastor at United Church of Christ: I believe it’s better to think of ourselves as gardeners in God’s Creation rather than owners. God has given us unique agency, but expects us to use our creativity and hard work to promote the flourishing of life. And when it’s time to share in the abundance this world produces, we should see it as a harvest rather than an extraction. Global warming is a defining moral challenge of our time. It is a global problem that requires global solutions, but we must all be committed at a local level for action. Not only should we demand international cooperation, we should be engaged in local collaboration to meet this crisis – not only for the sake of the future, but for the sake of the present moment right now.

The Rev. Sylvia Karcher, pastor at Community Presbyterian Church: When we care for creation, we preserve our children’s future.

Bishop Alberto Rojas, Roman Catholic Diocese of San Bernardino: Dear sisters and brothers, Easter is a time to celebrate Jesus’ victory over sin and death and what that means for our salvation. Let us remember that this gift of eternal life includes all life. Our joy is muted when we fail to see the full splendor of what God has made and humbly act to care for it and keep it. So, I invite you in this season of rebirth and growth to consider how you can live out this calling in your consumer habits, energy use, and other ways that impact the planet, especially our poor sisters and brothers. (Excerpt from 2024 Easter message)