There were a number of important Creation Justice related petitions and resolutions that came before General Conference 2024. Talking points in support of some of them are below. A list of the final language of all Creation Justice related legislation that passed at General Conference is available here. (The same information as a printable pdf)
Two study guides are available to deepen understanding about this important legislation. Each chapter unpacks one piece of the legislation and can be dealt with one at a time over several sessions or all together. The guides include Scripture reflection and articles to encourage thought and point to next steps.
Annual Conference and Local Church Legislation Study Guide
Net Zero Legislation Study Guide
A list of Creation Justice related General Conference Legislation in the ADCA is available here. This Creation Justice General Conference Legislation Tracking list was updated as things unfolded on the plenary floor.
Other key issues before the General Conference delegates, included removal of discriminatory language, regionalization plans, and revised Social Principles.
Methodist Federal for Social Action has published Plumblines fact sheets for several important issues before General Conference. Creation Justice related Plumblines include:
Encourage Just Partnerships
The “Encourage Just Partnerships” resolution submitted for 2024 General Conference encourages The United Methodist Church and its local churches, bishops, and associated institutions to actively:
- Commit to listen and take action, to learn new practices of environmental justice, and to better understand the expertise developed by those with lived experience of environmental harms.
- Promote dialogue, partnerships, and the leadership of environmental and climate justice organizations led by Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Women, and Youth, as well as those serving low-income populations.
- Seek guidance through the Jemez Principles and Louisville Charter and through open faithful dialogue on how to develop these just partnerships also strengthening connections with UMC entities, ecumenical and interfaith coalitions, as well as global partners.
Ilka S. Vega, Executive for Economic and Environmental Justice, United Women in Faith
Green Teams
Establishing green teams empowers United Methodists to work together in their local context to address issues that are harming God’s Creation and perpetuating injustice.
The resolution also gives new and existing teams guidelines for effective action in four areas: Worship, Education, Practice, and Advocacy. For each of those, the resolution provides some examples of very doable projects.
The resolution can readily be customized to apply to the particular group targeted. For example, “BE IT RESOLVED: That every local church is urged to create a Green Team or strengthen an existing one for action in four areas each year—Worship, Education, Practice, and Advocacy” can be changed to “every local church, charge, cluster, or district” or “every annual conference.” Another alternative might be “That every annual conference is urged to create at least six new Green Teams… .” (the number here is just an example.)
The resolution also encourages communicating throughout the connection stories of the actions taken as an idea exchange and inspiration to others.
Crys Zinkiewicz, Tennessee Western Kentucky EarthKeeper
Adding Creation Care position/Green Team position for local churches
This resolution simply adds the more common identifier “green teams” to Paragraph 254 of the Book of Discipline, which currently refers to “earth advocacy,” a less frequently-used name for the work indicated by either term.
Crys Zinkiewicz, Tennessee Western Kentucky EarthKeeper
Church Land Use
This resolution urges all local churches and other holders of church lands, such as camp and retreat centers, as well as conference offices and district locations, to implement actions in their setting that bring their land back in harmony with God’s intention and systems.
When God created the heavens and the earth, God put into place on the Earth elements such as water, soil, and plants, along with natural systems and cycles, that were, and still are, intimately interconnected to promote and sustain life on Earth. And then, God made humans caretakers of all God had created here on Earth, including animals, creatures of the sea, birds of the air, as well as humans. But, at present, humans are not working together in harmony with the rest of Creation as God intended. In fact, they are responsible for harming and even de-creating what God gave them to protect.
The good news is this: Since human actions are causing the harm, they can also stop the harm and instead renew God’s creation.
There are many actions that holders of church lands could take in this regard, including evaluating the existing vegetation; removing non-native invasive species; planting native grasses, bushes, flowers, and trees, including edible species; replacing 50% of the lawn with native species; discontinuing the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides; curtailing the destruction of existing, as well as restoring already degraded, forests, wetlands, peatlands, and grasslands; avoiding purchases that contribute to deforestation; and converting to renewable energy sources. These are a starting point for actions that work together in harmony with the rest of Creation as God intended.
Kim Richmond, Western North Carolina EarthKeeper
Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions recommendation calls for our Conferences and churches to assess current gas emissions, determine appropriate offsets, and implement by 2050 with schedules reflecting normal system aging and external incentives to minimize cost. This effort matches similar activities of denominational boards, commissions, and agencies.
Bob Downs, West Ohio EarthKeeper
Fossil Fuel Ethical Investment Screen
The mission of Fossil Free UMC is to build on the commitments of The United Methodist Church to faithfully address climate change by screening out fossil fuels from our investments at all levels of the church and by investing in goods and services that support a just transition to a clean energy future. Our goal is to urge United Methodist boards, agencies, churches, and individuals to divest from fossil fuels, the primary driver of global heating, and to invest instead in goods and services that support a just transition to a clean energy future. Our first task is to persuade delegates at the upcoming General Conference to pass the petition adding fossil fuels to our list of ethical investment screens in Paragraph 717 of the Book of Discipline. See the petition here. Here are a list of talking points:
Talking Points: Why The UMC Should Divest from Fossil Fuels
- To live by our faith commitments
- To practice what we preach about climate change
- To safeguard our investments and legacy
- To align our environmental stewardship with our financial stewardship
- To stop providing moral cover for bad actors
- To move toward climate justice
- To act for intergenerational justice
- To move toward net-zero carbon emissions
- To send a clear message to political leaders and fossil fuel corporations
- To transform the system that causes climate change
For an explanation of these talking points, go to “Ten Reasons Why The United Methodist Church Should Divest From Fossil Fuels” on the Fossil Free UMC website.
Sharon Delgado, Convener of Fossil Free UMC (fossilfreeumc.net, info@fossilfreeumc.net)