Look Ahead
March in many places is a teaser—
warm one day, inviting us to
jump into springtime action,
but cold the next, slamming us back
with a warning not to rush.
Let us rest in the sure knowledge
that God is faithful, and spring will come.
In the meantime, we can plan—dream, explore,
investigate, discern, prepare, be ready.
That’s our faithful response.
Share these Tips with your family, friends, and congregation. Choose any or all. Forward them to someone you care about. Cut-and-paste to put them with your email signature, in your letters and emails, worship bulletins, newsletters, social media, or website.
March 2024 Tips
Urban community gardens provide food, address food insecurity, and increase well-being for gardeners. Research shows they also support plant and animal biodiversity—a win-win. Consider the potential in your own or your church’s land. Or find a community garden and volunteer.
Track the sun at your home and plan to grow something. For example, Minneapolis has numerous front-yard gardens, which provide the added benefit of opportunities to connect with neighbors to share the food, to perhaps share the work, and to build community.
Connect children to nature through a pizza garden. Engage young ones in planning, planting, and watching the growth of tomatoes, peppers, onions, and herbs. At the ripe time, have a homemade pizza party. Offer a blessing and so connect children to the Giver of all growth.
Plan to observe Earth Hour Saturday, March 23, from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm local time. Along with millions of other people around the world, switch off every single light and talk about being good stewards of the Earth. Think together about what you individually, as a family, or as a church community can commit to doing for a sustainable future.
Investigate solar for your home, business, and church. New funding is now available, so now is a good time to look at the possibilities that you can make happen.
Planning a celebration? Perhaps a wedding? Here are 75+ Tips for Having a Zero-Waste Wedding. Many of the ideas apply to any big party. When the event is over, you can also celebrate your commitment and your witness to caring for God’s creation.
Are you planning to remodel or to replace appliances soon? Prioritize selections that contribute to energy efficiency. Upgrade your home to care for your other home: Earth.
Spring weather means shedding heavy winter clothes. Evaluate your wardrobe for items to donate. Plan to visit local thrift shops both to take your donations and to find treasures that fit your fashion sense, your budget, and your commitment to reuse. Too often a purchase made online gets returned and doesn’t go back into stock but ends up in a landfill. You can avoid that, support a local business, and feel good about what you wear.
Plan now for your Earth Day witness. The 2024 event is April 22, but now is your opportunity to engage others in planning for an occasion that raises awareness and sparks action. Find a few interested people, locally or online, dream big, get others onboard, and plan a day to remember. The theme is Planet vs. Plastic. Have some serious fun with that!
In 1 Corinthians 3:6 Paul wrote, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” Continue to do your “planting” for creation care and justice. Others will assist, and God will give the growth. Your job is to be faithful in your task even if you don’t see results. Trust God to be faithful too.
The United Methodist Creation Justice Movement is providing these Tips
as a tool to equip church members, families, and individuals to respond to God’s call to care for creation and do justice with our neighbors.
