New Study on Faith and Care of the Environment Successfully Launched

Written by QCT Tuesday, 19 June 2012 17:12

| Print |

Section of the crowd.

Thirty people gathered at St Francis Theological College on 13 June for the launch of the new Christians in Dialogue Study “The Relation Between Faith and Caring for the Environment”. The study is the latest in a range of studies designed for parish, congregational and ecumenical study groups that have been produced since 1985 when the Christians in Dialogue series was begun by the Anglican, Roman Catholic, Lutheran and Uniting Churches. The Faith and Unity Commission of Queensland Churches Together has overseen the production and revision of these studies since 2007.

The Revd Canon Richard Tutin (L) The Revd Dr Jonathan Inkpin (R). Photo by QCT.

In launching the new study the Reverend Dr Jonathan Inkpin, Rector of St Luke’s Anglican Parish Toowoomba, spoke of the close intrinsic relationship between Christians and the environment. He outlined the five sections of the study – Humans and the Web of Life, Towards an Environmental Theology, Justice for All Creation, The Environmental Consequences of Human Activities and From Eco-Theology to Eco-Mission. Each section builds on each other as the study looks at the response of Christian Churches and individual Christians in caring for the environment in the light of their faith journey and understanding of God as Creator.

In commending the study for use in churches Dr Inkpin congratulated the Faith and Unity Commission for overseeing the project and the Reverend Dr Clive Ayre, Mr Calvin Rose, the Reverend Miriam Nyrene and Mr Alan Clague who wrote it.

Mention was made during proceedings of the renewed interest in environmental issues by members of QCT and the establishment of the Queensland Churches Environmental Network to further inform and encourage discussion and debate among member churches.

(L-R) The Revd Dr Jonathan Inkpin, Dr Mark Copland, Mr Peter Arndt and below Mr Arndt's guide dog, Ferguson. Photo by QCT.

Fellowship and further discussion continued over a light lunch to conclude this successful event.

To download a copy of this study, click here.