Organization asks for divine guidance
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Organization asks for divine guidance
By Shane Gilreath
In the book of Genesis, the first of the Old Testament, scripture says, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” Cumberland Clear, the local organization who formed to combat the landfill and transfer station proposed for Winfield and North Oneida, has taken that verse and ran with it, deciding to combine their fight with the faith that carries so many across the region; the faith, in fact, that organizers believe will help them stop the Roberta Landfill Phase II proposal, expected to be within a football field’s length from Winfield Elementary.
Aside from the earthly stewardship that guides the organization and that the Christian church often teaches, the organization has arranged a public prayer and hymnal service with, perhaps, a verse from St Matthew in mind: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them.” That, after all, will be the objective, presenting the earth – and the fear of environmental degradation – as harm to God’s creation, over which man biblically was given dominion. Mankind, however, must take that dominion as a sacred trust, a call of responsibility and care.
In his groundbreaking 2015 encyclical, Laudato Si, the late Pope Francis – calling the earth our “common home” – argued that neglecting the environment harmed both nature and humanity, likening it to ecological damage and social injustices, like poverty and inequality, and calling mankind – individuals, communities, and nations – to take action.
To that, Cumberland Clear has heeded the call. The September 15th prayer service, which takes place at Scott County Christian Care Center, will be open to everyone – all churches, all denominations, all parishioners and members – who find it in their hearts to join in prayerful guidance on the landfill debate. But there are no requirements other than prayer. “It is a come and go as you please event,” Kathy Obrusanszki, president of Cumberland Clear, told SCN, indicating that people are welcome to attend the free event but not required to stay throughout. Prayer and guidance, after all, are the focuses.
Local clergy also are invited to join and participate in the event, as are the musically inclined. Clergy and those who wish to sing are asked to email the organizers in advance at [email protected]. For more information, visit the organization online at cumberlandclear.org. The event begins at 6:30pm on Monday, September 15, 2025 at Scott Christian Care Center.
