By Ian Urriola-Schonewolf
The “Equip and Resource Local Church Trustees for Carbon Neutral Evaluation and Planning” resolution before the Upper New York Annual Conference seeks to help local churches move from abstract creation care commitments to practical, actionable planning. Building on existing commitments already found in both the Book of Discipline and recent General Conference legislation, the resolution aims to deepen the relationships between the conference’s Creation Care Justice Team and local church boards of trustees to magnify the team’s impact across the Annual Conference. Through developing and maintaining accessible resources, this resolution can help churches assess their carbon footprint, identify opportunities for emissions reduction, and connect with reputable regional partners for energy efficiency, electrification, renewable energy, and other sustainability initiatives.
Recognizing that many local church trustees do want to care faithfully for creation but may not know where to begin or what resources are available to them, it also proposes creating a practical evaluation tool that churches may use annually to document their current environmental impact, identify barriers to carbon neutrality, and articulate concrete next steps. Rather than relying solely on simple yes/no reporting, the goal is to strengthen transparency, accountability, and support for congregations as they discern contextually appropriate ways to participate in the church’s broader creation care commitments.
The resolution was considered during the 2026 session of the Upper New York Annual Conference and was adopted as presented. During the 2027 session of the Upper New York Annual Conference, the Annual Conference Creation Justice Team will be given time to address the body in plenary session to report on the resolution’s implementation.
Ian Urriola-Schonewolf is a Provisional Elder in the Upper New York Annual Conference, preparing to serve in extension ministry as a Chaplain Resident at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY. He holds a M.Div. from Wesley Theological Seminary and a B.A. in Music from American University. A lifelong United Methodist, his heart lies in coming alongside the communities he serves so they may proclaim the gospel of holiness and justice and grow deeper in love of God and neighbor.