The earth is the Lord's

The new Oxford Diocesan Environment Group (a sub-group of the Board of Social Responsibility) has created a colourful display in Diocesan Church House on the poster boards you sweep past on your way to meetings. With the help of Selina Sugden the boards now expand the theme of the Fifth Strand of Mission.

The first section follows the biblical concept that each part of creation has intrinsic value.

The health of our planet is dependant on the interactions between God, humans and creation. When these relationships are good all creation flourishes. When our human relationships and those with God break down, then nature suffers the consequences.

This is centred on Colossians 1:15,17: ‘He is the image of the invisible God, the first born over all creation… He is before all things and in Him all things hold together.’

The final two boards look at practicalities. Firstly, the terrible damage being wrought by human abuse of nature and its impact on the poorest in the world. Then a call for environmental care to be part of our mission as Christians.

If we lead more sustainable lifestyles, as the century becomes tougher we can demonstrate that a simpler lifestyle can be happier and healthier. Our hope is firm because we trust in Christ who holds all creation together.

Revd Margot Hodson is Chaplain of Jesus College, Oxford and a member of Sage, Oxford’s Christian environmental group.