[Diocese of Western Massachusetts] Recognizing the environmental destruction due to climate change and honoring the Christian belief that all of Creation belongs to God, the Right Rev. Douglas J. Fisher, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts, has named The Rev. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas as Missioner for Creation Care.

Formerly, Priest Associate at Grace Episcopal Church in Amherst, MA, the Rev. Bullitt-Jonas brings to this new, part-time position her 20 years of environmental activism as an Episcopal priest. Last fall, an anonymous donor gave a generous gift to the diocese to educate God’s people about climate change and to inspire us to care for God’s Creation. The donation enabled the diocese to create this new leadership position toward a renewed understanding of Creation Spirituality and how we might act for the Lord’s Earth.

“Margaret will represent the diocese at environmental conferences and other gatherings so the Church will have a seat at the table for one of the most crucial issues of our time,” said Bishop Fisher upon her appointment. “She will help us to develop a strategy for action for the Lord’s Creation and to help us to execute that plan. We are deeply grateful for the generous donor who heard this prayer and for Margaret’s willingness to engage us in this deeply religious mission.”

In addition to participating at environmental conferences, she will report on climate action opportunities and build ecumenical, interfaith and secular partnerships. The Rev. Bullitt-Jonas will assume her new position at Diocesan House in Springfield, MA on January 2, 2014.

“I am grateful to Bishop Doug Fisher for offering me this opportunity to express my faith in a God who loves and redeems all Creation,” said the Rev. Bullitt-Jonas. “I hope to inspire and support the Diocese of Western Massachusetts as we seek to honor the sacredness of Creation and to make a robust, faithful and coordinated response to climate change.  I am very interested in the ways that religious faith can move us beyond fear, hopelessness or despair as we face the reality of climate change.  I also believe that religious communities and leaders have an important role to play in shaping this country’s growing climate movement.”

The Rev. Bullitt-Jonas received a B.A. in 1974 from Stanford University, a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature in 1984 from Harvard University, and a Masters of Divinity in 1988 from Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, MA.