Encouraging news from the student world
Students at Bethel University plant a tree
“Renewal” is the name of a relatively new student organization whose vision is to get students to “answer God’s call for renewal” of his creation. Anna Jayne Joyner and Ben Lowe, both recent grads and therefore almost still students themselves, serve as coordinators.
Anna Jayne (“AJ” to her friends, I hear) just sent out this very encouraging report:
We are thrilled to report that Renewal’s first ever ‘National Day of Service for God’s Creation’ was a great success! Sixteen Christian campuses across North America participated in this exciting effort to actively demonstrate the unity of the student creation care movement and commitment of Christian students to caring for God’s creation.
From stream cleanups to fundraising hoola-hoop-a-thons to wildflower rescues and letter writing campaigns, Christian students demonstrated their care and concern for God’s earth through getting their hands dirty. Some highlights include:
-Students at Asbury College in Wilmore, KY planted a native perennial garden around the original Asbury building and installed a rain-water barrel to conserve water resources.
-The Creation Restoration club at Bethel University in St. Paul, MN hosted a hoola-hoop-a-thon to raise money for a local conservation organization. They had over 40 people participate in this creative event! The students also worked with facilities management to plant four oak trees on campus.
-At Eastern University outside of Philadelphia, PA, the Earthkeepers club encouraged students to sign pledges committing to be conscious of their environmental impact and follow in Jesus’ footsteps to live simply and kindly. Students made a variety of commitments- from turning off the faucet while brushing their teeth to driving less and gardening more.
-Wheaton College’s A Rocha student group sponsored a letter writing campaign. They sent over 120 letters to 41 senators in 25 states emphasizing that as Christians we are called to be good stewards of the earth. What’s more, the letters encouraged our national leadership to take action on critical environmental issues such as climate change, soil and land degradation, overconsumption and species extinction.
-The Earth Shepherd club at Spring Arbor University in Michigan had over 20 students participate in a campus-wide litter clean up!
-The Green Team at Redeemer University College celebrated the National Day of Service by planting native shrubs and wildflowers on campus property that struggles with soil erosion.
-The Environmental Stewardship Coalition at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI held a wildflower rescue to replant native flowers from a wooded area scheduled to be taken down this summer.
-Students from Hope College in Michigan organized an end-of-term recycling extravaganza! They encouraged students moving out of dorms to donate old furniture, clothes and appliances to a local charity, and recycle batteries and other electronics, as well as paper, plastics and metal.
-The A Rocha student club at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA hosted a sustainability pledge drive. 315 students, faculty, and staff committed to decreasing their environmental footprint!
-Seeds, the newly formed environmental club at Montreat College in North Carolina, hosted a creation care talk by Renewal’s coordinator Ben Lowe. They also cleaned up a local stream & broke ground on the new campus garden!
Other colleges that participated in the Day of Service include: Dordt College (IA), Trinity International University (IL), Moody Bible Institute (IL), Gordon College (MA), John Brown University (AR), & Azusa Pacific University (CA).
Renewal is so thankful for the many Christian students that participated in our first ever National Day of Service for God’s Creation! And we’re also thankful for you! Renewal’s efforts wouldn’t be possible were it not for the many people who support our work! As always, ever more thanks. May God continue to grant us grace and determination as we join hands and hearts in our efforts to care for this beautiful planet.
Many Blessing,
Anna Jane Joyner
Co-Coordinator
Renewal: Students Caring for Creation
www.renewingcreation.org
Tel: 336.469.3042
ajjoyner@renewingcreation.org
ben.lowe@renewingcreation.org
For those of you who are not students, please pay attention: Almost every signficant movement in recent history has begun to get traction when it reaches students. Renewal’s work is extremely important and these campus efforts, however small in and of themselves, are a sign of great things to come. And if you are a student, contact Ben or Anna Jayne to find out how to get your campus involved. Tell them Ed sent you…
God's Creation | Ed | 08 May 2009 |
