ACTinG (Acting for Creation Together in Gippsland)

The purpose of ACTinG

ACTinG seeks to encourage and equip Gippsland Anglicans to study the theology of creation; and to pray and act to safeguard, sustain and renew the life of the Earth.

Our aims

We acknowledge that the world – humanity and all of God’s creation on Earth – is under great strain from pollution, eco-system decline, climate change and pressure on resources.

We understand the need to be prepared for serious present and predicted future impacts on our lives. We accept scriptural teaching on living within limits in sharing the abundance God has provided for all.

We gladly answer God’s call to work together imaginatively for the flourishing of all life on Earth, with relationships restored between people, God and Earth.

We therefore invite all Gippsland Anglicans to join with us in our aims to:

  • Live simply and thankfully under God, in harmony with nature and each other;
  • Support and help create a sustainable local economy to meet basic needs;
  • Prepare for disruptions and disasters;
  • Imagine and work towards a flourishing future aligned with God’s purposes;
  • Learn about and wholeheartedly engage with the health and biodiversity of the ecosystems that underpin parish lands in our care;
  • Learn about climate change;
  • Study the theology of creation and incorporate it into our worship; and
  • Draw on the wisdom of the Judeo-Christian tradition and the wisdom of First Nations people in meeting these aims.

How these aims can help creation

Living simply addresses the over-consumption which leads to waste, pollution, climate change and pressures on resources. If we only had one aim, it could be to live simply.

A localised economy creates resilience – e.g. to supply chain disruptions due to conflicts, fire, floods, storms, droughts, power outages. In a local economy, most food is grown locally and most basic goods like clothes are manufactured locally.

A localised economy also reduces pressure on resources, with less energy needed for transport and fewer imported goods. And it has the potential to create a connected, more resilient and harmonious community.

Contact

We invite you to connect with us: Jan Down (Chair): acting@gippslandanglicans.org.au
To sign up for ACTinG bulletins: David Perryman: davidp@gippslandanglicans.org.au
ACTinG is a working group of Gippsland Anglicans.

We invite all Gippsland Anglicans to join with us in our aims to:

  • live simply and thankfully under God, in harmony with nature and each other;
  • support and help create a sustainable local economy to meet basic needs;
  • prepare for disruptions and disasters;
  • learn about and actively support eco-system health and biodiversity in managing any land in our care;
  • learn about climate change;
  • study the theology of creation and incorporate it into our worship; and
  • draw on the wisdom of the Judeo-Christian tradition and the wisdom of First Nations people in meeting these aims.

Some notes:

Living simply addresses over-consumption, waste, pollution, climate change and pressures on resources. If we only had one aim, this could be it.

A localised economy creates resilience – e.g. to supply chain disruptions due to conflicts, fire, floods, storms, droughts, power outages. In a local economy, most food is grown locally and most basic goods like clothes are manufactured locally.

A localised economy also reduces pressure on resources, with less energy needed for transport and fewer imported goods. It has the potential to create a connected, more resilient and harmonious community.

Name change for ACTinG

ACTinG: Acting for Creation Together in Gippsland

At a recent ACTinG meeting, it was resolved to change our name from ‘Acting on Climate’ to ‘Acting for Creation’ [Together in Gippsland], which retains the acronym ‘ACTinG’.

The change reflects the Anglican Five Marks of Mission, particularly the fifth mark.

The Fifth Mark of Mission is:
To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation,  and sustain and renew the life of the earth.’

Caring for creation is essential to the gospel mission. It recognises that the mission includes not only proclamation, discipleship, and justice among people, but also the well-being of the entire created order.

Genesis 2.15 gives humanity stewardship of creation. The Psalms praise God for creation (e.g. Psalm 148). Romans 8 recounts creation’s longing for renewal. Christ is humanity’s Redeemer and the firstborn over all creation, through whom and for whom all things were created. (Colossians 1:15-20).

The Lambeth Conference in 2022 reaffirmed that caring for creation is a fundamental Anglican witness. Protecting the earth is an essential part of our gospel mission, which encompasses both humanity and the natural world.

Humanity’s impact on nature is real, affecting more than the climate.

For example, in Gippsland, pollution originating from the rivers that feed into the Lakes adversely impacts native dolphin populations. 

The introduction of species for pest control and genetic modification has also created some environmental issues. 

ACTinG seeks to engage Anglicans and the broader community in discussions and explore sustainable alternatives, ensuring that we protect our ecosystems while effectively sustaining our native environment.

Listening compassionately requires us to respect the concerns of local communities whose livelihoods and traditions may be impacted by policy decisions. 

By shifting the focus from ‘climate’ to ‘creation’, ACTinG aims to encourage action and respectful dialogue, to foreground the theological basis for our work, and to be attentive and responsive to a breadth of views as reflected in the constructive discussion of these issues at our recent diocesan Synod.

ACTinG welcomes the opportunity to collaborate within and beyond the Diocese, as we take up the aspiration of our Diocesan Vision to act for the good of Earth and all creatures, echoing the Fifth Mark of Mission that we share with Anglicans around the world that God has wonderfully made.

Further Reading

Bulletins

News, reflections, events and practical ideas for acting for creation in Gippsland.

Season of Creation

Worship, study and event resources for the annual Season of Creation.

Study & Worship

Bible studies, prayers, liturgical resources and theological reflections on creation care.

Learn

Articles, videos and educational resources to deepen understanding of environmental stewardship.

How To

Practical guides and ideas for taking action at home, church and in the community.