God is Here: Protecting Sacred Marine Places

I negotiated the rock path in the drizzling rain, while eyeing the sheer cliff to my left. Blue water swirled with white foam far below me. On a short detour from a speaking tour about climate impacts, I stood with four colleagues—one from Bangladesh, one from Uganda, and two from the U.S.—in awe of the majestic Monterey Bay in California. 

Above the sound of crashing waves, Aref, my colleague from Bangladesh, spoke to my inner murmurings. His smile widened and he stretched out his arms declaring, “God is here! We can feel God right here at the sea.”

Monterey Bay in February 2026. MCC photo/Kirstin De Mell

God is here! We can feel God right here at the sea.

Monterey Bay is one of several marine sanctuaries protected from commercial activity. Its nutrient rich water supports marine mammals such as the humpback whale, the southern sea otter, and the elephant seal, but also hundreds of species of fish, seabirds and shorebirds. 

A combination of partial fishing restrictions and natural protective features has kept special places like Monterey Bay remarkably healthy. The integrity of Creation in these places is not only important to God’s creatures, but for coastal communities that rely on healthy oceans for tourism, recreation, and other economies. 

Marine sanctuaries are now at risk from offshore drilling and deep-seabed mining, industrial practices that would degrade the biodiversity rich ecosystems needed for ocean health—and planet health! 

On April 28, I, along with other board members of CJM, met with Congressional offices in Washington, D.C., to share about the importance of protecting these sacred marine places from drilling and extraction. As I sat in a conference room in Senator Padilla’s office, I felt the vast human power that pervades the halls of the Congress. It is a power that can move in two directions.

One direction thirsts after money and oil—a path more heavily trod. The other acknowledges and lifts up the intricate web of Creation we all rely on. 

One CJM board member prayed with Padilla’s staff when our meeting concluded. I closed my eyes and imagined the swirling water at the base of the cliff, and heard Aref’s voice proclaiming, “God is here.”

Please join us in urging Congress to protect and restore God’s marine creation.

Kirstin De Mello
Climate Advocacy and Education Coordinator
Mennonite Central Committee U.S.