John Wallingford is the organizer of the Hope for Creation Conferences at St John’s Episcopal Cathedral. As Senior Warden some years ago John offered a resolution at Diocesan convention to plant trees or other suitable vegetation on church grounds or public lands, and encouraged the congregation to actively engage in environmental care, though tree planting, river clean up, and on-site conservation. With co-sponsors from Whitworth and Gonzaga University he organized the Hope for Conferences in 2022 and 2023 to encourage faith communities in Environmental Care, in anticipation of the 50th anniversary of EXPO’74. He sits with the Diocesan Creation Care committee, Spokane’s Interfaith 350 group, and the Earth Ministries advocacy committee. He is certified as Master Forest Steward by the University of Idaho and is a member of the Board of Directors of The Lands Council.
Building on the foundational principle of Via Media, John believes the Episcopal Church today is among the few organizations that advocates for a safe centerplace, engaging persons with different backgrounds and faith experiences into respectful dialog. He applies the Episcopal promise, “I will, with God’s help” to issues of secular importance through the lens of faith.