The Church for a Changing Climate

Episode Four: The Church for a Changing Climate

As followers of Jesus, we’re called to love God, love our neighbours, and care for God’s good creation. But what does that look like in a world experiencing more frequent fires, floods, heatwaves, biodiversity loss, and other impacts of the climate crisis? In this four-part podcast series, we’ll explore what it means to live faithfully in a changing climate.

Over the past three episodes, we’ve looked honestly at the climate crisis we’re facing, wrestled with what our faith has to say about this reality, and acknowledged the grief and anxiety that can come with living in a changing world. But what does this mean for the Church? In this final episode, we explore how our churches can become places of resilience, belonging and practical action, helping us care for creation, support one another and face the challenges ahead together.

First up, Jane Kelly, Common Grace’s Climate Community Organiser, speaks with Major Melanie-Anne Wren from The Salvation Army’s National Recovery Team, Dr Melina Ey, Catholic Earthcare Engagement Lead at Caritas Australia, and Jono Ingram, biodiversity community educator. They share what they’re already seeing and doing in their churches and communities, and how we can draw on existing Christian traditions and resources. They also highlight the importance of learning from First Nations wisdom and knowing and loving the particular places where we live.

Next, Jane talks with Jessica Morthorpe, founder and director of the Five Leaf Eco-Awards, and co-author of a Climate Pastoral Care Course. Jess shares how her faith, lifelong love of the natural world and experiences of eco-anxiety led her to create these two programs, which help churches take practical steps to care for creation, strengthen community connection and resilience, and create safe spaces for people to process climate grief and anxiety.

This episode offers a picture of a Church that doesn’t turn away from the realities of a changing climate, but meets them with the gifts it already has: deep relationships, care for creation, lament and hope, practical action, hospitality and community. By knowing and loving the places where we live, listening to First Nations wisdom, caring for people and creation, and walking together rather than alone, churches can help their communities face an uncertain future with greater resilience, compassion and hope.

You can also download the episode via this Google Drive link.

A transcript of this conversation can be downloaded here. 

	Dr Melina Ey is the Catholic Earthcare Engagement Lead at Caritas Australia. As part of the Catholic Earthcare team, she accompanies and supports Catholic communities across Australia in caring for our common home, and in responding with faith, courage and hope to the ecological challenges of our time. Melina also lectures in human geography, sustainability and community development, and her research focuses on local and everyday practices of resistance, care, and repair in a climate-changing world.
	Jono Ingram lives with his wife Katie, and two daughters, on Wurrundjerri Country in North West Melbourne. He is the Founding Director of We Love Aintree, an environmental nonprofit working to educate communities about sustainable living and biodiversity loss. When he is not working, you might find Jono drinking home brewed beer around the fire pit, running trails in the mountains, or surfing the reefs on the Bellarine Peninsula.
	Jessica Morthorpe is the Founder and Director of the Five Leaf Eco-Awards, an Australian ecumenical environmental change program designed to assist churches and religious organisations take environmental action and become more sustainable in response to God’s call to care for creation. She also co-authored a Climate Pastoral Care Course to equip church leaders to support their communities with their climate anxiety, grief and distress. With a background in environmental science, marketing and theology, Jessica is an Uniting Earth Ministry Consultant with the Uniting Church in Australia Synod of NSW/ACT.
	Major Melanie-Anne Wren is part of The Salvation Army's National Recovery Team, supporting communities affected by disasters across Australia. She works alongside people as they rebuild their lives, helping restore physical, emotional, and economic wellbeing through a network of practical care, support, and community services.