Creation & the Church, local to national in the PC(USA)—Presentation
Many pray to lead a renewal of creation at their church denomination. At a recent meeting of the Faiths4Future Rev. Jeffrey Geary, Rev. Susan de George, and Rev. Dennis Testerman led us through the stories of this very renewal. The presentation begins with the story of White Plains Presbyterian Church, leads us through the Presbytery of Hudson River, and finalizes with Dennis Testerman who introduces us to Presbyterians for Earthcare.
We know too well the hope of this work. Be encouraged!
Dennis Testerman serves as moderator of the Presbyterians for Earthcare steering committee, is a Certified Environmental Educator, and a Greenfaith Fellow. He has been involved with environmental issues as an agricultural missionary in Nigeria and Pakistan, and was a consultant to the PCUSA Eco-justice Task Force. He also serves as the Stewardship of Creation Enabler with the Presbytery of Charlotte, North Carolina. Trained in 2020.
Susan De George is the Stated Clerk at the Presbytery of Hudson River in NY, a leader in Fossil Free PCUSA, a master composter and recycler, Greenfaith fellow, and professor of religious studies with a specialization in religion and the environment at Pace University. Trained in 2020.
Jeff Geary is the Senior Pastor at White Plains Presbyterian Church in NY, a multi-racial, multi-national, multi-class congregation. His commitment to frontline communities has taken him to Standing Rock, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Puerto Rico and Palestine. He has led the church he serves to become deeply engaged in creation stewardship, including the installation of solar panels, earning a place as both a ‘cool congregation’ and ‘greenfaith certified,’ and is himself a Greenfaith Fellow. Trained in 2020.
Rev. Richenda Fairhurst is here for the friendship and conversations about climate, community, and connection. She organizes the Climate Cafe Multifaith as a co-leader of Faiths4Future. Find her in real life in Southern Oregon, working as Steward of Climate with the nonprofit Circle Faith Future.