The May Newsletter and May flowers are arriving! In Oregon, May blooms include the mimicking monkeyflowers, hairy balsamroot, and Pacific ninebark—a wild rose! For joy! The solitary bees that overwinter in the ninebark’s hollow stems are waking up.

I am in prayer for our communities and wild lands as this year will be one of extraordinary drought. A record warm winter has left us with only 2% of our mountain snowpack. More than ever we see the urgency to care for each other and creation.This newsletter is packed with the resources you need to do that.

The worldwide Church has instituted a new holy day, Creation in Christ, a feast day to recognize the discipleship imperative of praising the Creator! Read the resources below and attend the May Movement Café to learn more. Read about Santa Marta where 60 nations and faith groups met to phase out fossil fuels, from Rev. Dr. Becca Edwards and Fossil Free UMC. Get trained up as an EarthKeeper and learn about how EarthKeepers got started. And, as you enjoy the May blooms, consider joining a workteam and/or making a donation to support the UMCJM’s tremendous work.

Thank you. Let all creation praise the Lord!
Rev. Richenda Fairhurst
Global Ministries EarthKeeper; Greater Northwest Area