A number of excellent Lenten resources with environmental themes are currently available that would be appropriate for small church groups to study this Lent.
Operation Noah’s Between the Flood and the Rainbow is a six-week programme that looks at the causes and impacts of climate change, insights from scripture and suggested action based on Christian respect for the earth. The guide, which can be downloaded from www.operationnoah.org, includes prayers, liturgies, reflections and action sheets, which can be adapted to meet the needs of individual groups.
What does the Bible say about climate change? – a new Lenten Bible study pack from the Methodist Relief and Development Fund – also contains material for six interactive and engaging sessions. As well as Bible readings, activities, discussion questions, prayer and action ideas are also included. The studies aim to provoke practical responses and to encourage people to rethink their attitudes and everyday lives in new and creative ways. This resource can be downloaded from www.mrdf.org.uk.
The Church in Society Environmental Advisory Group has produced an Environmental Bible Study – Five Studies on God’s Works in Creation and Redemption. These aim to show that creation care is an integral part of the Christian faith (not merely an option for a minority) and demonstrate that we all have a part to play, however implausible this may seem in view of the scale of the problems. See www.churchinsociety.org.
Also recommended is the Omega Climate Change Group’s resource, which encourages people of all faiths and none to respond creatively, imaginatively and effectively to the challenge of climate change. See www.omegaclimate.org.uk.
For individual Lenten reflection, Quantum Grace: Lenten Reflections on Creation and Connectedness and Quantum Grace: The Sunday Readings by Judy Cannato (Ave Maria Press) are both excellent. Available from www.amazon.co.uk and Cathedral Books, Dublin. For further resources and ideas see www.christian-ecology.org.uk.