In January we looked back and reminded ourselves of hope—action leads to hope, seeing success after years of labor leads to hope, building understanding and coalitions leads to hope, remembering Whose we are and why we do this work, leads to hope, preparing for a better future leads to hope.  “And hope does not disappoint us” (Romans 5:3-5a).

In February we took a deep dive into the murkiness of fossil fuels and how divestment could bring us to the surface and light.

In March, during Lent, we explored resilience as we also looked forward to resurrection. Teams developed new model resolutions for annual conferences to present. Churches responded to the calls for action. Conferences strengthened disaster preparedness and responses to deal with dark days and events.

In April, May, and June we told the stories of local churches and conferences taking action right where they are—using Earth Day opportunities to reach and inspire others, incorporating creation justice into Eastertide worship, starting Green Teams, advocating for a Creation Justice Coordinator at the Conference level, preparing resolutions for conference approval.

In July, we launched a survey to help us gather enlightening stories from more places. July’s record-breaking heat reminded us of the consequences of giving up our important work.

In August, we once again trained the light on how to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels—educating to increase awareness, organizing to grow the movement, and advocating for system changes. 

In September, we shined the light for a new audience, our United Methodist bishops, with an Open Letter urging them to take greater leadership in helping United Methodists become part of the work of caring for God’s planet and people. With their leadership the beam of light could become much greater. We also invited churches to celebrate the Season of Creation with new worship material from the Worship Team.

In October, the bishops responded positively to the invitation to work with the Creation Justice Movement. We produced a 19-minute video that tells about the Movement’s commitment and work toward healing, regeneration, and justice.

In November, several United Methodists and members of the Creation Justice Movement participated in the United Nations’ Conference of the Parties (COP30), celebrating especially the way indigenous voices and communities were seemingly being heard. The light of justice was a bit brighter, shining on issues where many people had not thought before to look for wisdom.

In December, we returned to worship the Source of the Light, as we walked through Advent and Christmas. The renewed illumination spilled out to highlights of people, congregations, and conference still following the Light, making a difference in their own way in their own space, tackling the need for divesting from fossil fuels, for adding trees and solar panels, for working with others to make systemic change, for celebrating the Light that has come into the world—and the darkness did not overcome it.