Sharing the ‘best story’ on World Earth Day

Thursday April 22nd 2021

The Rev Andrew Sweeney, rector of Ballymoney, Finvoy and Rasharkin,, in the garden which is being created adjacent to the parish hall in Ballymoney in the heart of the town.

Today is World Earth Day, and so what better way to celebrate the occasion than with a socially distanced visit to the site of a new community Quiet Garden beside St Patrick’s Parish Church, Ballymoney.

For the Rev Andrew Sweeney, rector of Ballymoney, Finvoy and Rasharkin, Earth Day, along with the project in the walled garden, is a great way to share Christianity’s wonderful narrative.

“God gave us creation to enjoy and expected people to look after and cultivate the Earth,” he said. “I see creating this garden as a metaphor of the creation narrative, a bit like creating Eden.”

Andrew added: “Psalm 8 says God gives human beings charge of everything, an indication that God wants us to look after his creation. Jesus came to reinforce that message.

“The good news is that God wants us to save everything under creation. If we preach the full Gospel, young people will be inspired by it. They have such a social conscience – they want to save the world, and so does God.

“Earth Day derives its roots from strong Christian principles. Christians have the best story, so it is time to promote that narrative.”

You will be able to read more about the Ballymoney Quiet Garden, where work is now progressing quickly following lockdown, in the summer issue of the diocesan magazine Connor Connections which will be available in June.