Environmental Wholeness - Safety and Security

Almighty God, in giving us dominion over things on earth, you made us fellow workers in your creation: Give us wisdom and reverence so to use the resources of nature, that no one may suffer from our abuse of them, and that generations yet to come may continue to praise you for your bounty; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP 827 For the Conservation of Natural Resources)

While many aspects of personal wholeness and health are internal and solely personal, Environmental Wholeness is an aspect of our lives that is many times out of our control. Having Environmental Wholeness means living in a environment where you feel safe, from daily natural elements and from abuse from other people, and where there is room for you to live, move, and grow. We can do many things to make sure the environment around us is safe and makes us feel secure, however sometimes there are aspects of our environments we have no control over.

The natural world around us does many wonderful things for us. However, our relationship with the natural world is a delicate dance of giving and taking. Many times, especially when it comes to weather, we have no control over what happens in our environments. Yet, it does play a part in our stress levels and our ability to feel safe. Living in areas which are free from pollutants and able to sustain human life through plenty of food and water are important aspects of a stable life.

Beyond the natural world, our Environmental Wholeness consists of the houses we live in and the people we live with on a regular basis. Unfortunately thousands of men, women, and children live in unsafe environments every day. Part of the work of agencies such as the Venango County Community Services, Emmaus Haven Shelter, and Mustard Seed Missions, is to help people improve their environments so that they can find a place to live where they feel secure and able to thrive.