Join the United Methodist Creation Justice Movement in a 5 part Workshop Series.
February 28, March 4, 7, 11 & 14, 2021 — 7-9 pm ET
Cost: $15
This workshop will prepare you to understand creation care and climate justice in the Wesleyan Tradition; to recognize environmental concerns and solutions; to incorporate creation care into your worship; and to exercise environmental stewardship in the life of your congregation and community. It will focus on practical approaches to greening your buildings, your grounds, your ministry, and your witness.
Five 2-Hour Sessions:
Our Theological Grounding
Climate Crisis and Creation Justice: Connecting the Dots
God’s Good Gifts: Called as Stewards and Prophets
What Can Churches Do?
Your Green Team, Your Plan
The primary text will be CLIMATE JUSTICE: A CALL TO HOPE AND ACTION edited by Pat Watkins and used in the 2016 & 2017 United Methodist Women’s Mission U curricula. You may be able to borrow a copy from an attendee to Mission U. If not, provide your mailing address to bobdowns@sbcglobal.net no later than 15 Feb 2021 and we will send you a paperback copy.
Register Here.
More Details
LOVING PEOPLE AND PLANET IN THE NAME OF GOD: ENGAGING THE LOCAL CHURCH
United Methodist Creation Justice Movement (UMCJM) Workshop
OVERALL GOAL: DEVELOP A CADRE OF UMC LAYPERSONS MOTIVATED AND EQUIPPED TO LEAD LOCAL CHURCH EFFORTS TO CARE FOR GOD’S CREATION AND ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ISSUES.
HOPED-FOR OUTCOMES
- Understanding creation care in the Wesleyan tradition.
- Understanding environmental justice concerns and challenges.
- Understanding stewardship and environmental solutions.
- Incorporating creation care into personal and congregational life.
- Incorporating creation care in worship, preaching and witness.
COURSE TEXT
The primary text will be CLIMATE JUSTICE: A CALL TO HOPE AND ACTION (CJCH&A) edited by Pat Watkins and used in the 2016 & 2017 & United Methodist Women’s Mission U curricula. We ask you to borrow a copy from an attendee to Mission U. As an alternative, provide your mailing address to bobdowns@sbcglobal.net no later than 15 Feb 2021 and we will send you a paperback copy.
Presentation will be virtual via Zoom; sessions will require preliminary reading and other homework.
COURSE SYLLABUS
Prior to Session One:
Read CJ:CH&A Chapters 1,2 & 5
Read Bishops’ Letter, God’s Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action
Read Section One, proposed 2020 UM Social Principles
Session One: 7-9 pm ET; Sunday, Feb 28, 2021 – Our Theological Grounding
Wesley Quadrilateral: Scripture, Tradition, Reason & Experience
Breakout Scripture: Genesis 1:31 & 2:15; Luke 10:25-27
Lead: Pat Watkins
Prior to Session Two:
Read CJ:CH&A Chapters 3&4
View The most important thing you can do to fight climate change: talk about it, by Dr. Katherine Hayhoe and The Story of Stuff
Session Two: 7-9 pm ET; Thursday, Mar 4, 2021 – Climate Crisis and Creation Justice: Connecting the Dots
Breakout Scripture: Isaiah 24:4-5; Ezekiel 34:17-19
Lead: Mike Koob
Prior to Session Three:
Read CJ:CH&A Chapters 6&7
Complete Assessments:
https://www.footprintcalculator.org/
https://www.watercalculator.org/
Session Three: 7-9 pm ET; Sunday, Mar 7, 2021 – God’s Good Gifts: Called as Stewards and Prophets
Breakout Scripture: Job 14:7-9; Matthew 18:20
Lead: Crys Zinkiewicz
Prior to Session Four:
View A Sanctuary for the City
View ENERGY STAR for Congregations
Begin Project Planning
Session Four: 7-9 pm ET; Thursday, Mar 11, 2021 – What Can Churches Do?
Breakout Scripture: Genesis 45:4-8a; Luke 18:1-8
Lead: Bob Downs and Karla Burton
Prior to Session Five:
Read CJ:CH&A Chapters 8
View Video of Rev. Malcomb’s sermon: “For Such a Time as This”
Project Planning
Session Five: 7-9 pm ET; Sunday, Mar 14, 2021 – Your Green Team, Your Plan
Breakout Scripture: Esther 4:11-16; 1Corinthians 3:6
Lead: Jaydee Hanson
Questions: Contact bobdowns@sbcglobal.net