Two years ago near the beginning of the pandemic the world, and in particular the Creation Care family, lost a champion and a friend when Sir John Houghton left us. His memorial service was held only recently near his home in Wales, and the John Ray Institute (JRI) has an excellent report on the service from Martin Hodson.

Some excerpts:

The service was a wonderful and fitting tribute to Sir John. His widow, Sheila, who had organised the service in accordance with Sir John’s wishes, rose to thank all the people who had come, those who had taken part as he had hoped, and those who had helped to get the hall ready the previous day. She also illustrated the one love of Sir John’s which had not been mentioned previously, and that was music. Her final thanks were to the local organist, Tudur Jones, who had played throughout the service including a rousing rendition of Cwm Rhonda as the final hymn. She then announced he would play Sir John’s favourite organ piece, Bach’s Toccata and Fugue, to conclude before a great spread of food was enjoyed…

…And so we all left Neuadd Dyfi, and went our separate ways. I reflected on a life well-lived, and the huge honour it has been to be a small part of the story. I just wish more people had taken Sir John seriously about climate change earlier. But sadly too many people are still not taking it seriously. Look at some of the recent UK government announcements on new oil fields, fracking, and coal mines. And our government is far from the only one.  Consider the horrendous heatwave in India and Pakistan. We really are in a very perilous situation, and even now governments are in the grip of the fossil fuel lobby. Sir John had to battle with that lobby for many years. It is our job to take up that fight. May God help us all in this task.

May God raise up more like him.

We have learned that a memorial service for Sir John Houghton, who left us two years ago on April 15, 2020, will be held near his home in Wales as follows:

12 noon Saturday 14th May
Neaudd Dyfi (Aberdovey village hall) in Wales
Speaker: Dr. Robert White

Sir John was a wonderful friend to many of us, as well as a global leader in the early fight against climate change. Read some of our thoughts on the occasion of his passing here.

We have no information about the possibility of joining the service via streaming, but will update this post if that is possible.

Bishop Desmond Tutu was most well-known for his participation in the liberation of South Africa, as well as his partnership with Nelson Mandela both in fighting apartheid and in leading the movement for peace and reconciliation in the “new” South Africa. It is perhaps less well-known the extent to which Bishop Tutu was concerned about environmental issues, including climate change and environmental justice generally. He will be remembered for many things, not least for reminding us that creation care affects all of human life and society – there can be no justice without environmental justice. As if to make a final statement, he requested not only a modest funeral with the cheapest wooden coffin available, but an eco-friendly burial method known as aqua-mation. (Read more here, here, and here.)

Professor E.O.Wilson also left us in December. A longtime faculty member and researcher at Harvard University, his contributions to the field of environmental studies were numerous with more than 30 books published. Considered by some to be “Darwin’s natural heir”, we would perhaps remember him best for his work attempting to bring the faith and scientific communities together:

In addition to groundbreaking work in evolution and entomology, in his later years Wilson spearheaded a campaign to unite the scientific and religious communities in an odd-couple pairing he felt presented the best chance to preserve Earth.

The latter work was best captured in his short book, The Creation, penned as a letter from Wilson, a scientist and avowed agnostic, to a hypothetical pastor: “Dear Pastor, we need your help. The Creation – living nature – is in deep trouble…” [Editor’s note: this book was highly influential for me when I was beginning my work in creation. It is worth your time if you have not read it.] (More on Wilson here.)

And finally, Harold Snyder, a man many would not have heard of even in the US, but whose quiet work more than 50 years ago laid the foundation for Au Sable Institute, one of the most influential institutions in the American creation care movement from the late 1970’s right up to the present: “In 1956, Dr. Harold Snyder embarked on a mission to establish an outdoor camp that would focus on science and draw boys into a closer relationship with God. With the help of family and friends, Harold established the Au Sable Trails Camp for Youth which eventually became the Au Sable Institute.” Au Sable went on, under the leadership of Cal DeWitt, to train hundreds of students who went on to influence Christian colleges and universities as well as the church at large. (Read more here)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, Hebrews 12:1

[NOTE: If you know of Creation care leaders who have passed on in your own country, please write and let us know. We will occasionally try to honor those who have gone before us.]

The church and the creation care movement have lost another leader – this time to Covid. Our sisters and brothers in the Central European region are mourning the loss of one of their own recently. Corneliu Constantineau was a key evangelical leader and strong supporter of the creation care movement in that area. Steve Michmerhuizen, who is recovering from Covid himself, shares this:

With sadness we announce the passing of Prof. univ. dr. habil. Corneliu Constantineanu of Timisoara, Romania on March 17, 2021.  Dr. Constantineanu was a warm, friendly, brother in Christ to many, father and husband to his family, and constant supporter of our work in Creation Care.  As a scholar, Corneliu was a brilliant theologian, prolific writer and editor whose contributions to the theological debate and development in this part of the world have been stopped short by his departure from our crowded hours together in classroom, conference and congregation.  Our series, Creation Care in Central and Eastern Europe recognizes his indefatigable support and enthusiasm for bringing God’s people into full understanding of our role as stewards of God’s Good Creation. 

There is more from Dr. Chris Wright at Langham:

In all the tributes that have poured in, a common note is that people will remember Corneliu not just for what he did and accomplished, but for who he was, for his spiritual zeal, his warmth and generosity, his wide smiles and welcoming hugs, and his inimitable and infectious laugh. Like Daniel, a man greatly loved and highly esteemed. 

Read more here.