West Ohio
In West Ohio, two local churches received Green Church Certification awards on-stage at Annual Conference: Maple Grove UMC in Columbus and Faith Community UMC in West Chester. Both completed the Green Church Certification process, which includes signing a Green Church Pledge, filling out a sustainability audit, completing two green projects, and agreeing to complete at least one green project each year going forward.
During the West Ohio Connections Fair, the Green Church Movement gave away Green Church Kits to churches that signed up to receive more information about Green Church Training or the new Creation Care Cohort that will start this fall. Creation Care and Net Zero Task Force Chair Rev. Ryan Grace gave a report about the progress being made in West Ohio, as well as the challenges of Net Zero not just for the Conference but for all church property—including local churches. He spoke about approaching this work from three basic angles: Conference Property, Local Church Training, and Building a Creation Care Network.
During the Conference, West Ohio also provided composting, recycling, and Hefty recycling containers during meal times, with volunteers on hand to help participants dispose of their trash in the most eco-friendly way possible.
East Ohio
In East Ohio, the Annual Conference overwhelmingly voted to pass the resolution called “Support for Creation Care & the Green Church Movement,” which encourages local churches to get involved in the Ohio Episcopal Area’s Green Church Movement or in other creation care efforts. In addition, East Ohio’s first Green Church Certification was awarded to the United Methodist Church of Kent, which provided additional visibility for creation care on stage at Annual Conference.
During East Ohio’s Ministry Fair, the Green Church Movement gave away Green Church Kits to churches that signed up to receive more information about Green Church and creation care.
Mariellyn Grace
Director of Mission Engagement | Connectional Ministries