The Baltimore-Washington Conference (BWC) Creation Care Team has taken meaningful and strategic steps toward advancing fossil fuel divestment within The United Methodist Church, rooted in both faith and a deep commitment to environmental justice.
The history of our efforts began in 2014 and 2015 when fossil fuel divestment was presented to the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference. Many discussions have been held since then. Conference leadership in the form of delegates to General Conference were briefed on the denominational fossil fuels movement both in 2016 and in 2024. Petitions in the conference have circulated before both of those general conferences. This issue has been before our body for a long time.
Preparation
Our work began in January with a clear goal: to engage early and intentionally in the conference process. By prioritizing early submission, the team ensured that the fossil fuel divestment resolution would be among the first considered by the Connectional Table and later at Annual Conference. This proactive approach proved essential in building visibility, shaping conversation, and sustaining momentum.
Recognizing the importance of collaboration and strategic planning, members of the Creation Care Team convened to design a comprehensive pathway forward. From this gathering, a three-member leadership team was selected to oversee the drafting and preparation of the resolution. Their work was informed by a wide range of resources and partnerships. Notably, Lois Knowlton from the California-Pacific Conference (CAL-PAC) shared insights from their successful divestment effort, offering both practical guidance and encouragement.
The team also engaged in broader denominational learning through a Creation Justice Movement webinar, where three conferences shared their processes and lessons learned. Additional guidance came from Fossil Free UMC, whose materials and advocacy tools helped shape both messaging and strategy.
Addressing Opposition
Understanding that opposition would emerge, the team prepared thoughtfully and faithfully. A proactive strategy was developed to address concerns, including the creation of handouts for conference participants and the potential placement of messaging within the conference program bulletin. Two concise opposition response statements were crafted to address the most common concerns: maintaining “a seat at the table” with fossil fuel companies and the relatively small percentage (less than 3%) of conference investments currently tied to fossil fuels.
In addition, a written statement of support was circulated among clergy and laity, helping to build a broad base of advocacy across the conference. This grassroots engagement proved critical in demonstrating widespread commitment to creation care.
Partnerships
Partnerships were also key to success. We partnered with WesleyNexus to make our efforts more visible, and we collaborated with the Conference Council on Finance and Administration (CFA) to refine the resolution’s language. These revisions helped secure the support of the CFA whose endorsement became invaluable in the final moments before the vote.
The team also worked closely with Rev. Stacy Cole Wilson, a member of the Bishop’s Extended Cabinet, whose perspective helped bridge conversations and broker a final agreement with CFA. This alignment across leadership bodies significantly strengthened the resolution’s viability on the conference floor.
When it came time to present the resolution, intentionality remained central. Presenters were carefully selected to reflect diverse and compelling perspectives: one spoke to the tangible impact of fossil fuels on communities, another shared the journey and environmental significance of the initiative, and a third addressed the technical and financial aspects of the resolution. Together, these voices offered a holistic and persuasive case.
The effort was further strengthened by the support of key conference groups, including the Advocacy & Action Committee, United Women in Faith, and Fossil Free UMC. Their partnership amplified both credibility and reach.
At the heart of this initiative was a dedicated core team whose leadership and persistence made this work possible: Mike Koob, Sherie Koob, Judy Smith, Cynthia Taylor, Rev. Stacy Cole Wilson, and Rev. Sharee Wharton alongside many other committed advocates across the conference.
The successful passage of the fossil fuel divestment resolution reflects more than a single legislative win—it is a testament to faithful organizing, strategic collaboration, and a shared commitment to steward God’s creation. As other conferences continue this work, BWC’s journey offers both a model and an encouragement: with preparation, partnership, and prayerful persistence, meaningful change is possible.
Rev Sharee Wharton is a Provisional Deacon in Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference. She serves as Director of Education and Community Engagement at Potomac United Methodist Church, where she designs and implements comprehensive educational initiatives and outreach programs. As a consultant with the National Wildlife Federation, Sharee has coached congregations in creating sustainable green spaces and led environmental projects recognized with local awards.