Rooted In Faith, Growing In Action: West Side Churches Embrace Creation Care

As the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis, his legacy endures here in Cleveland. Among the Pontiff’s most profound achievements was Laudato Si’, an encyclical on caring for our common home. It was addressed to every person on Earth, highlighting the interconnectedness of all humanity and called for a global dialogue on environmental concerns, the precarious future of our planet, and a commitment to protecting it for future generations.

The 184-page letter, first published in 2015, planted seeds in hearts locally, ultimately leading to the formation of the West Side Creation Care Team (WSCCT) — a unique interdenominational alliance that brings together faith and environmental activism. 

After spending a year studying the text of Laudato Si’, Judy Slivka and a group of laypeople from St. Malachi Parish on W. 25th Street felt inspired to take action. They recognized that Pope Francis’ message wasn’t a theological reflection, it was a call to mobilize. 

Determined to bring his vision to life and galvanize other people of faith to respond to environmental degradation, they began reaching out to other churches across Cleveland’s West Side.

The group’s first major initiative was an educational gathering in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, the saint regarded as the patron of ecology. From there, WSCCT began to grow, blossoming into a full church ministry, grounded in four pillars: prayer, education, advocacy, and collaboration.

As a priority within their faith, the group today serves as a moral and spiritual voice in Cleveland’s broader environmental movement.

“Because we believe in God as the Creator, we can immediately see how great He is through creation,” said Rev. Dean Van Farowe of Calvary Reformed Church in the city’s Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood. “Our scripture mandates that we care for creation.”

For Pastor Dean, creation care is also personal. His wife and son suffer from asthma. According to the American Lung Association’s 2025 State of the Air report, Cleveland ranks as the 9th worst metropolitan area in the country for annual particle pollution.

“We can see the effects of the lack of stewardship of creation,” he said. “Living in the city has sharpened my sense of urgency and the necessity of taking care of green space and air quality.”

Church members from Tremont gather to participate in a community Litter Pilgrimage, working together to clean up and pray for their neighborhood.

One way WSCCT weaves faith into environmental action is through a Lenten Lament for Creation, now in it’s fifth year. Adapted from Scriptural Stations of the Cross, community members gathered this April at Calvary to reflect on the suffering of Christ alongside the suffering of the Earth. Each station became a moment of prayer, grief, and renewed commitment.

The group also writes letters to the editor, engages with elected officials, and collaborates with national organizations like the Catholic Climate Covenant and the Evangelical Environmental Network. 

One of the team’s most visible activities are ongoing community clean-ups called Litter Pilgrimages, blending prayer and litter removal. More recently, the group has become active in supporting Cleveland's tree canopy by planting a tree at the Edna House in Cleveland, and supporting Trees of Life for Cleveland - a series of faith-based tree care workshops.

“Trees are God’s best carbon capturers,” said Pastor Dean. “They are not an extra. They are essential infrastructure.” 

The West Side Creation Care Team hopes to expand to more churches and welcomes new participants. They meet on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00PM at St. Paul’s Community Church - 4427 Franklin Boulevard, Cleveland, OH 44113. Follow WSCCT on Facebook, or email westsidecreationcare@gmail.com to join their Listserv.