“Next Faithful Steps” at the ICCT Imagination Convention
by Deborah Hooker
Four years ago, Interfaith Creation Care of the Triangle came into being. It was born out a book discussion and the suggestion that individual congregations practicing creation care could benefit from meeting and exchanging ideas. In 2019, over 20 congregations and like-minded organizations responded to that call to gather.
This year, the call went out again – to meet and celebrate ICCT’s accomplishments and map the way forward. And once again, the people came — 72 of them, representing over 30 faith communities and people of conscience.
On January 28th, the people came and they listened — to the inspiring words of faith leaders, the renowned Rev. James A Forbes and UMC Bishop Hope Ward, whose prayers and reflections opened and closed the meeting.
They heard a panel speak about the value of collaborating with allies in social justice and creation care.
72 participants shared personal stories about how each had come to embrace creation care and about what their congregations were doing to heal our wounded world.
They spoke proudly of solarizing rooftops, creating and tending community gardens, recycling, composting, and finding beautiful ways to lessen storm-water run-off.
Five lively break-out groups also generated a host of ideas to better fulfill ICCT’s mission to love and protect creation, among them, strengthening liaison relationships; finding better, hands-on ways to engage the young; and using art as a vehicle to spread the message of earth care.
And the people sang. 72 voices joined in singing “The Goose is Loose” (see sheet music) , Rev. Christian McIvor’s moving original composition for the meeting. Check out this video panning the hall as he led the singers).
In the closing moments of the convention, Bishop Ward urged everyone there to take “the next faithful step” in creating ICCT’s future. What will that step be? Volunteering as a liaison? Collaborating with local social justice organizations? Teaching your congregation to compost?
Whatever that step may be, it incarnates ICCT’s “sacred duty,” which falls to us all, “to love and protect creation, address our changing climate, and ensure justice for all life.”
