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For Sandra Soria, the opportunity to practice faith took a little bit of a different path. “The Bible talks about having dominion over the earth and being responsible to the planet, basically a call from God to care for what has been created,” Soria said.  That led her to join, and now co-lead, the Creation Care Ministry at University Christian Church near Fort Worth’s Texas Christian University. Her work at the ministry earned her recognition in 52 Faces of Community, Fort Worth Report’s weekly series highlighting unsung heroes.A clinical outcomes specialist at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, Soria, 64, found that caring for the planet was an often overlooked aspect of faith. There is a spiritual component to that mission, Soria said. She notes Psalm 24:1 says: “The earth is the Lord’s, and all that is in it; the world, and those who live in it.”But, while spiritual, the Creation Care Ministry has a practical side as well. One example is what became of a muddy area beside one of the church’s parking lots. “There was basically a trench running between the corner of the Cantey/Rogers street UCC parking lot and the neighbors,” she said. When it rained, the trench basically became a river of mud. Working with landscapers, the neighbors and volunteers, the ministry created a xeriscape garden, or one that required little to no irrigation, with a variety of Texas-acclimated plants that do not require supplemental watering.“It was a very practical solution, and it’s beautiful as well,” she said. “Seeing the work and what Sandra has been able to do with the ministry was just really inspiring and showed what can be accomplished.” — Maria Sanders, co-leader, Christian Care MinistryIt is that practical aspect to the ministry that helped draw Maria Sanders into the group. “There are a lot of activities from clearing up the park, Glenwood Park, which we recently did, to just volunteering to attend events around sustainability,” said Sanders, who is now a co-leader of the group. Soria said that early on the organization began with simple projects, such as offering canvas bags to replace plastic and paper shopping bags. That was both fairly easy and popular. But some efforts take time. University Christian Church is a popular wedding and reception venue, and the Creation Care Ministry is encouraging the use of reusable and recyclable materials for weddings and receptions. The ministry is offering to do a lot of the cleanup if the wedding parties agree. Sandra SoriaAge: 64 Profession: Clinical outcomes specialistAdvocation: Creation Care Ministry “It’s not easy,” said Soria. “We’re so used to just throwing things away without contemplating the impact paper plates and other materials have.” The ministry is also there to help educate churches and members on recycling and efficient energy use. They place recycling containers throughout the building and help the church to use more energy-efficient lighting and more earth-friendly cleaning products. They are also working toward Green Chalice certification, part of a program from the Disciples of Christ denomination. “We’ve achieved Level 1 certification and believe we’re on the way to do even better,” Soria said. The ministry has started to get more public in its efforts. In April, around Earth Day, a sermon is planned related to stewardship of the earth. That is part of the denomination’s resolution concerning carbon neutrality that was passed at the denomination’s 2017 general assembly.And weekly the Sunday bulletin contains a note about sustainability. “The message is getting out,” Soria said. But Soria wants to move just beyond the local congregation. Other churches in the area are doing similar projects, she knows, and Soria wants those churches’ environmental ministries to meet together and understand what is happening in other congregations.  “I believe we can make even more progress if we share ideas, best practices and understand better what works and what doesn’t,” she said. “It can be even more effective as a ministry that way.” Bob Francis is business editor for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at bob.francis@fortworthreport.org. At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.