The July Movement Cafe was all about Worship Resources for Season of Creation. Rev. Laura Baumgartner led the discussion and fellow panelists included Rev. Paul Mitchell, Rev. Richenda Fairhurst and Ann Mayer (see bio information below).    

Rev. Baumgartner opened with a video highlighting the symbol embedded in these worship resources, a biblical first fruit, a fig tree. Throughout the discussion, all the panel speakers shared various ways to incorporate the fig tree in their programs, biblical stories and teachings,  including Sunday school lessons, worship, children’s lessons and more. As the introduction to the materials states, “As we reach for hope and take action on the climate crisis, we choose to learn from and through the fig tree.”

Rev. Baumgartner noted that there are five weeks in the series: Abundance, Repentance, Restoration, Trust and Flourishing. The newly created worship guide includes resources for each week and materials that cover worship, prayer, hymns, communion, children’s resources and more.

The guide provides all of these important resources so we can be unified in our focus, but Rev. Fairhurst noted that it is important for these materials to be modified and shared to reflect each congregation and each pastor’s unique qualities. All will have their own voice but together we will have an impact.