REFLECT
“The urgent challenge to protect our common home includes a concern to bring the whole human family together to seek a sustainable and integral development, for we know that things can change… Humanity still has the ability to work together in building our common home… I urgently appeal, then, for a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. We need a conversation which includes everyone, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affect us all.” [L.S.13, 14]
The 2023 General Assembly commitment to “work for peace and ecological justice” is supported by the goal to “collaborate with other religious communities, governments, and ally organizations to work towards ecological justice.” This is an echo of our pledge in the SCNs’ 2000 Earth statement to collaborate with others in the urgent task of developing a sustainable relationship with the Earth.
The call to collaborate was reaffirmed in the 2014 SCN Land and Buildings Guiding Values and Principles for Decision Making, when we recognized that “Collaboration with others is indispensable in using Earth’s resources in a sustainable manner.” In the SCNs’ mission statement, we commit to care for all creation and work for peace and justice in solidarity with oppressed and marginalized peoples, not all by ourselves.
SCNs believe in collaboration, in working across cultures, governments, cities, schools, organizations, and political beliefs to serve God. When seeking common ground, we work toward the common good. Let us continue to seek out new partners and allies as we work for peace and ecological justice.
ACT
Take a moment to think about those with whom you collaborate when working towards ecological justice. Is it Sisters? Associate members? People from outside organizations? Now ask yourself, who are the people doing this work with whom I am not collaborating? How can I widen my circles to multiply our efforts? Once you identify an organization or part of a religious community or government, make a plan for how you will reach out to them, and commit to yourself to follow through.
PRAY
Prayer for Collective Action
Creator God, you created a world of community, richness, and love.
But human greed has brought separation, destruction, and injustice.
So, we pray for the opportunities and boldness to act together with others, to break down the barriers of our selfish desires.
We pray our collective actions will be driven by wisdom and love, so that we your church will be agents for justice, as we seek a world fruitful for all of creation.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Prayer published by Christian Aid, a non-profit organization in Great Britain that exists to eradicate poverty.