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CREATION JUSTICE MINISTRIES
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Ocean

And God said, “Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky.” - Genesis 1:20 NRSV

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photo credit: Gabrielle Poli
The ocean, teeming with sea life, vibrant coral communities, and vast beauty, is part of God’s beautiful creation. When God created the ocean, God declared it good. We receive the oceans’ bounty on our tables and experience the ocean’s beauty as we participate in recreational activities.
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As God’s stewards, we are called not only to enjoy the ocean, but also to care for it as a sacred gift from God. Because we are people of God, we are to maintain the bounty of the oceans’ waters and the integrity of oceanic systems that contain beauty and support an abundance of life.
Picture
photo credit: Gabrielle Poli
An Ocean prayer (Adapted from Psalm 130)
Out of the depths We cry to you, O Lord
Lord, Hear Our voice!
From the depths of the ocean that covers this planet, We cry to you, O Lord!
Lord, Hear Our Voice! 
For the health and resilience of your sacred marine sanctuaries, from tide pool to sea floor, we cry to you, O Lord! 
Lord, Hear Our Voice! 
For the breeding grounds of fish and the playgrounds of dolphins, we cry to you, O Lord! 
Lord, Hear Our Voice! 
For the safety of crab, kelp, jellyfish, and shark to make their home, we cry to you O Lord! 
Lord, Hear Our Voice!
For oceans free of plastic and the things we humans deem as trash, we cry to you, O Lord! 
Lord, Hear Our Voice! 
If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord who could stand? But there is forgiveness with you! 
Our souls wait for the Lord, more than those who wait for the morning. Forgive our indifference to your creation and make us good stewards of your seas. 
Hope in the Lord! 
With the Lord there is steadfast love and great power to redeem. Amen.

Why do we work on ocean issues?

In the first chapter of Genesis, God first separates the waters into those from above and those from below by forming the solid dome called the sky. Then, god creates the earth out of the waters. Only after the water is in place does God put vegetation, animals, and other creatures on the earth. Genesis 1:20 teaches the creation literally comes out of the waters. This ancient narrative is uncannily similar to modern understanding. Science confirms that life as we know it first arose in the water, and in particular, the oceans. Care for God's oceans is an expression of reverence for the cradle of life out of which God created all.

Join us in loving God's ocean:

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Education

Download our Ocean Resources and share them in your community:
Visit Our Resource Hub for Ocean Resources
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Action

You can take action for the ocean by clicking the button below.  If you'd like to participate in more advocacy opportunities, join our ocean email list and we'll include you in calls to action going forward.​
Take Action!
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Connection

Join our ocean email list to always stay up to date on ocean advocacy asks, and ways to get your church involved in ocean conservation.  
Join our Ocean Update List!
Spotlight:
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Blue Theology Summer Program
Blue Theology offers week-long summer programing for youth groups to explore the intersection of faith and ocean conservation.  Students engage in experiential learning, service projects, and contemplative practice with God's marine creation.  Blue theology is a place where current science in marine biology meets a theology of creation justice. The Blue Theology Mission Station was founded in 2008 at the Christian Church of Pacific Grove (in Pacific Grove, California), by Rev. Dan Paul and Rev. Deborah Streeter. In 2022, Creation Justice Ministries and the Blue Theology Mission Station partnered to create "Blue Theology Outposts" at several locations across the country (Southern California, Texas, and North Carolina). A week-long program with Blue Theology intertwines experiential learning, service projects, and spiritual practice. Blue Theology is all about fostering a heart connection to the ocean: for what we love, we protect. Visit bluetheolgy.com to learn more!
Blue Theology Website
Blue theology instagram
Videos

Christian Leadership Spotlight

In the News

North Carolina Church Wins Ocean-Friendly Award 
Protecting Climate is a God-Given Duty (The Greenville Reflector) 12.18.20 by Casey Perry, Director of Camp Caroline

Christmas is a time to imagine how people can work together to address threats to a warming climate (The Invading Sea) 12.24.20 by Pastor Kipp Nelson

 'For Us The Ocean is Part of Who We Are' (NowThis Earth) 03.05.21 by Rev. Mariama White-Hammond
LEARN MORE

Creation Justice Ministries

 Address

110 Maryland Ave. NE #203
Washington, DC 20002

Email

info@creationjustice.org

Phone

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‪(240) 528-7282‬


  • About
    • Join Our Email List!
    • Mission
    • Staff
    • Work with Us
    • Board of Directors
    • Members and Partners
    • History
    • 40th Anniversary Celebration >
      • Service of Celebration
      • Sponsorship Opportunities
      • Prayer
      • Telling Our Story
      • Wall of Gratitude
  • Campaigns
    • Take Action! >
      • RAWA
    • Climate Resilience
    • Ocean
    • Public Lands >
      • Public Lands & Church Camps
      • Public Lands: Prayers and Sermons
    • Pastoral Care for Climate Retreats
    • EcoPreacher Cohort
    • Food and Agriculture
    • Conservation >
      • What is 30 x 30?
      • California
      • Grand Canyon
    • Youth & Young Adult Engagement
    • Water
    • Endangered Species
    • Energy >
      • Coal
      • Ideas for Toxic Free Living
    • Climate Change >
      • Climate Change - Get Involved
  • Events
    • Nurturing Young Hearts for a Restored Creation: Insights from authors Amy Houts and Betsy Painter
  • Donate
    • 40th Anniversary Sponsorship
    • Monthly Giving
  • Resources
    • Resource Hub
    • Earth Day Resources
    • Racial Justice Resources
    • Video Resources
    • Services
    • News
  • Blog
  • Green Lectionary Podcast