“God’s Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action" Part 2
February 9, 2010
Dear Pastors of the New York Annual Conference:
Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, Prince of Shalom, Healer of our brokenness, and Hope of the world!
Two months ago, I wrote to encourage you to read to your congregation the pastoral letter from the Council of Bishops, “God’s Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action.” If you haven’t, I urge you to share this pastoral letter with your congregation soon. Both the letter and the foundation document by clicking here>>
When I wrote earlier I told you that a study guide would soon be available, and now it is. You can download copies at www.hopeandaction.org. It is ideally suited to a Lenten study for adults and youth (6 sessions) and for children (3 activities). If you’d prefer, you can order an all-in-one resource from Cokesbury that includes the pastoral letter, foundation document and both study guides for $7.50 ($5 if you order soon). Delivery is promised in time for the beginning of Lenten study groups. You can place your order at www.cokesbury.com (and search for “God’s Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action” or by numbers: ISBN-13: 9781426710391; ISBN-13: 9781426711473; ISBN-13: 9781426711473 (paperback, e-book or pdf).
We have all been challenged by recent economic stresses and institutional concerns. We must never, however, ignore our calling to be disciples of Jesus Christ striving to love all that God has made as God loves it. I quote again a sentence from the pastoral letter: “We must begin the work of renewing creation by being renewed in our own hearts and minds. We cannot help the world until we change our way of being in it.”
May God continue to richly bless and honor you and your ministry and witness.
In Christ,
Jeremiah J. Park
By: Bishop Park On 2/9/2010